Demand Planning Manager, Northern Europe Distributor Markets
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Great things are happening in the Europe and Australia (EUAU) region. Each day, our 2,500 plus colleagues bring their passion to our offices, manufacturing sites, R&D center, and commercial/distributor markets across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. We are energized by over 150 years of bringing people together with the food they love. With beloved brands Old El Paso, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Fibre One, Latina Fresh and more, we are on a mission to become the undisputed growth leader in food for EUAU. In a world that's ever-changing, we look to stay ahead and seek people who share our love of food and are hungry to shape the future.
We are looking for a passionate Demand Planning Manager to manage Distributor Markets in Northern Europe, based out of the UK. The position reports to the Head of Supply Chain. A business-critical and high-impact role- is responsible for developing demand and distributor replenishment plans - that will enable the company to meet its sales and service objectives. Collaboration is paramount with all functions to ensure that the main business objectives are met.
What your role is
In this role, you will take full ownership of accurate demand planning at the SKU level, delivering a rolling 24-month forecast that aligns with approved service agreements with our plants. You will be responsible for ensuring the right SKU mix and aggregate volumes are planned to support sound financial planning across scenarios, budgets, and long-range strategies. A key part of your work will be close collaboration with key distributors to harmonise processes, ensuring product availability and minimising lost or distressed sales.
As a trusted business partner, you will champion customer collaboration, investigate and address supply chain performance gaps, monitor and report on stock health, and drive corrective actions where needed. You will lead the Demand Review process-challenging sales forecast assumptions, communicating supply constraints, and ensuring activities are timed and resourced effectively in line with distributor stock positions.
Working hand-in-hand with Supply Planning, you will evaluate material and production constraints, storage capacity, and potential write-offs, creating contingency plans that optimise resources. You will support sales forecast development by combining historical data, market trends, seasonality, and promotional plans, and use DRP tools to align shipment plans with business requirements and service level agreements.
Success will be measured through improvements in forecast accuracy, sales plan performance, and service levels. You will also play a critical role in supporting new product launches, managing SKU phase-outs to minimise costs, and ensuring smooth coordination between plants, customers, and cross-functional teams. This is an opportunity to use your analytical skills, commercial insight, and collaborative approach to make a measurable impact on business performance.
What you will bring to the team
We're looking for a supply chain leader who thrives in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment. You'll hold a bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or a related field, and bring 7-10 years of experience in a similar role-ideally within the food industry and a multinational company setting. You know how to work hand-in-hand with retailers and distributors, combining deep knowledge of supply chain concepts with practical experience that gets results.
You're fluent in Microsoft Office (especially Excel and PowerPoint) and adept with advanced planning and replenishment systems such as JDA, o9, OMP, or Kinaxis. Knowledge of ERP planning-particularly SAP APO-will set you apart, and if you speak German or have worked with DACH retailers, even better.
You're more than a planner-you're a communicator, negotiator, and relationship builder who can work with stakeholders at every level, from front-line teams to senior executives. You're a natural problem-solver, with the analytical skills to turn complex data into clear, actionable insights, and the confidence to present them persuasively. You plan meticulously, adapt quickly, and are committed to continuous improvement, ensuring you and your team are always delivering the best possible outcomes.
What's in it for you?
Work with Heart - offers us flexibility that also requires partnership to ensure we regularly come together in person for those moments that help drive our business forward. Our hybrid work policy means an average of 2 days per week in the office with the opportunity to finish at 15:00 on Fridays.
Wellbeing - We want our people to feel well and thrive, for this we offer free Headspace account for you and up to 5 friends or family members, ongoing activities, Employee Assistance Program and more.
Bonus - Our people are at the heart of what makes General Mills great, so when goals are reached, you'll be rewarded through our bonus scheme.
Health & Dental Insurances - All colleagues get the opportunity to join our insurances from day one.
Family & Carers Leave - Every family is unique. Our approach allows every family to have the opportunity to spend quality time-off to support them from the point of birth or adoption to care, with enhanced covers.
Enjoy other perks like enhanced pension contributions, subsidised canteen, access to both peer-to-peer recognition and discount platforms, 2 extra days for volunteering work, and more...
Great Place To Work