Business Unit: Nestlé Professional 
Job Title Category Demand Planner
Location: Gatwick 

Salary: Circa £48,000 Depending on Experience + (car allowance) + potential bonus + other fantastic benefits 

This is a Full-time permanent opportunity, but we are always open to discuss individual’s flexible working needs so please speak to us during the recruitment process to understand what this could look like for you.

Position Summary

We have a great opportunity for a Category Demand Planner to join our talented Supply Chain team.

This is a full time permanent opportunity but we are always open to discuss individual’s flexible working needs so please speak to us during the recruitment process on what this could look like. We will be considering applicants as they apply, so please don’t delay in submitting your application. 

Do you have experience of a dynamic fast paced Supply Chain environment? Do you have the ability to analyse and interpret data? Do you have the mind-set and initiative for continuous improvement? Then this could be the role you’re looking for. 

Nestlé Professional is our Business-to-Business foodservice arm, which specialises in the Out of Home solutions market. The unrivalled portfolio of NP includes food brands such as GARDEN GOURMET and renowned Coffee brands including ‘We Proudly Serve’ STARBUCKS and NESCAFE. NP operates successfully in an enormous marketplace and is an ambitious growth driver for Nestlé. The team’s aim is to inspire growth in our partners, by providing branded, creative solutions that help our customers develop their business, ultimately driving end user footfall and increasing their profit. 
 
We have also worked hard to create an exciting environment where we all feel we belong, we are the best we can be, and we win together. We want people to feel they can be themselves, dare greatly and believe their best is yet to come.

A day in the life of a Category Demand Planner…. 

You will develop a robust 18 month Category demand plan, successfully engaging cross functionally to ensure high levels of planning accuracy and customer service are achieved.

You will be supported in achieving these objectives, however, you will be afforded a high degree of responsibility in this largely autonomous role. You will be key to co-piloting the business on key demand and supply options and influencing stakeholders at different levels.   

Key responsibilities include: 

•    Plan, develop & own the rolling 18 month demand plan that is aligned to the category and brand plans, validated using history and insight.
•    Top down validation of short term demand plan using history, category insight and current trends. Able to clearly articulate the reasons for differences in the top down and bottom up plan and steer the business on key decisions.
•    Category/Business unit portfolio inventory management;
•    Provide directional information to short range Demand Planners on permanent and event SKU    changeovers  
•    Support the SKU portfolio management team to ensure we have optimal SKU portfolio for relevant   Categories                                                                                                                                                        
•    Play a pivotal role as a co-pilot in alignment between Category, Supply Chain and Sales;                                                                       
•    Support the Monthly Business Planning process 
•    Lead the demand and supply alignment between the category and ensuring supply TEAMS for the  medium and long term horizon
•    Challenge, manage and track New Product Development (NPD) launch volumes 
•    Development of relationships and collaborative planning processes with Sales and Customers Facing Supply Chain teams to support the forecasting process 
•    Challenge and influence key functions to embed forecasting processes ensuring opportunities for improvements are captured and implemented

What will make you successful?

You will have significant operational experience within Supply Chain, preferably within the FMCG sector. You will come from a background end to end Supply Chain, ideally having worked in a role within Demand & Supply Planning.

You will have the ability to plan and meet deadlines to achieve great results. In this role you will work with multiple stakeholders both internally and externally building strong relationships, it is key that you are able to demonstrate and ability to managing multiple stakeholder relationships at different levels in the organisation.
You will also have key skills in the following: - 

o    Proven ability to work as part of a virtual team
o    Demonstrated analytical skills
o    Ability to work autonomously
o    Courage to challenge and ability to influence without authority
o    Ability to plan and prioritise work effectively
o    Open to new ways of doing things and comfortable with implementing change

In return, the Supply Chain team can offer you all the support and guidance necessary to succeed. This is a great opportunity to work within a talented and dedicated team. 

What you need to know

What can we offer in return? Great benefits you’d expect from a business the size of Nestlé – in the shape of a competitive salary and benefits package, bonus scheme, flexible working scheme, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays plus flex leave, pension scheme and a real focus on personal development and growth.

Job advert closing date – 3rd oct 2024

We will be considering candidates as they apply and we will occasionally close job advertisements early in the event we receive sufficient applicants, so please don’t delay in submitting your application.

At Nestlé, our values are rooted in respect. When we embrace diversity and give everyone the chance to be the best they can be, we can think in new, creative ways that grow and enhance our business. People of all gender identities, ethnically diverse individuals, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBT+ community are strongly encouraged to apply. If there is anything we can do to accommodate you to participate fully in the application process, please let us know. We take pride in championing inclusion and diversity, our people make up a number of Colleague Networks who represent different experiences and communities who hold us accountable in creating a sense of belonging for all, and our values create the conditions for us to respect the unique contribution you bring. Find out more about our Colleague Networks here: Diversity, equity and inclusion | Nestlé (nestle.co.uk)

We are committed to equal opportunity for all and we may collect relevant data for monitoring purposes during our candidate registration process. Be yourself, everyone else is taken!