Manpower are currently seeking an interim Demand Planner, to work with our global FMCG client The Magnum Ice Cream Company, renowned for brands such as Magnum, Ben & Jerry's, Cornetto and Wall's, and become an integral part of their fast-paced FMCG environment.
The position is based in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey. This is a full-time temporary role to run until the end of March 2027, requiring 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Compensation for this role is competitive, paying up to £48,000 per annum, pro rata, depending upon experience.
The role currently offers a mix of remote and onsite working, subject to adjustment based on business requirements.
The Magnum Ice Cream Company (formerly a division of Unilever) is now a standalone, independent, EUR 7.9 billion publicly listed company. We’re on a mission to create the ultimate snacking company. A place where growth, innovation, founder and ownership mentality, and performance are cultivated and rewarded. And where we craft extraordinary ice cream experiences - transforming ordinary moments into lasting memories. Because we know, life tastes better with ice cream.
We dream big but keep things simple to act fast. If you want to grow with us, make an impact, and shape the future of Ice Cream, this is the place for you!
JOB PURPOSE
This role has overall responsibility for the quality of the forecast, translating business strategy and insights into demand drivers, and using shipment trends and insights to enable the ICLT to course-correct the business strategy. This role directly contributes to turnover by helping the CS and CD team deliver exceptional customer service. Market Collaboration Planners are accountable for the forecast quality KPI’s (accuracy and bias), and leading the business through transitions (innovations, phase-in phase-outs, discontinuations, etc.). This role will have less of a focus on ‘hands-on’ manual work in the systems than similar roles in the past and more emphasis on collaboration with business stakeholders to deliver results. This role is highly skilled in collaboration and navigating trade-offs, is a master of demand planning and S&OP, and possesses strong understanding of the marketing and sales plans, and deep mastery of their portfolio and supply chains. They are data driven in their approach, use exception-based planning to ensure effort is spent in the areas that can add most value. The role also uses the latest tools and technology to deliver results, including looking at the forecast through different lenses (customer, category, brand, building block, etc.)
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Accountable for Forecast Accuracy, Bias, Forecast Value Add, VVD and Extreme Bias
- Support the ICLT discussions with deep understanding of the market, product portfolio, and supply chains
- Gather business insights and help translate them into demand drivers for auto forecast models, aiming to continuously improve the forecast quality
- Understand in detail the drivers that power the auto-forecast and be able to articulate them to colleagues in the ICLT and CD
- Lead the business through transitions and innovations by co-creating a business plan and translating into precise forecast inputs
- Use exception-based planning to focus most time on those SKUs which are hardest to forecast
- Typically working in a horizon from 4wks to 18mths
- Ensure updated and agreed volume forecast is submitted and aligned with financial forecasting
- Monitor and evaluate different forecast building blocks
- Support portfolio management and segmentation processes
ALL ABOUT YOU
- Planning Mastery – “What we know” -A clear understanding of end to end planning, including demand planning, material requirements planning, production planning and innovation planning. Able to see the bigger picture, and recognise constraints and challenges in other parts of the supply chain.
- Performance Management & Digital Mastery – “How We Operate” - Understands how to analyse and extract valuable insights from data, and uses them effectively. Can collect and analyse data to make informed decisions. Knows when to question data, based on accuracy, and identified inconsistencies. Provides insight that enables the team to predict future trends, optimise current operations and identify new opportunities, which lead to business growth.
- Technology Expertise – “What we know” –Kinaxis, Power BI, FEU and TPM - Understands the different technology platforms and how they communicate with each other. Uses insight to root cause problems and identify relevant solutions. Sees the benefits of better utilising the technology, and of accurate master data. Enjoys learning new tools and systems.
- Business Partnering- Ability to partner with a range of stakeholders using effective communication and collaboration skills. Seek to provide supply chain expertise to help create business value and achieve a desired business goal.
- Personal Leadership - Is highly motivated to make the best contribution that they can. Is able to flex their style, adjust messages and how they are delivered based on the audience and the situation. Demonstrates empathy, emotional intelligence and is able to make connections between different pieces of information. Can envision different and better ways of working.
Key Interactions
▪ Collaborate with Marketing, CD and Finance to deliver the input-led forecast, including non-forecastable segments, innovations, and local brand building for all horizons
▪ Collaborate with CS in UKI and End-to-End Planning Teams in Katowice, On Demand quality, product availability constraints and mid and long term planning
ABOUT THE MAGNUM ICE CREAM COMPANY:
With 19.000 expert ice cream colleagues and iconic brands like Wall’s, Cornetto and Ben & Jerry’s, loved in 76 countries, we are the world’s largest Ice Cream company leading the industry We have been taking pleasure seriously for more than 100 years, serving happiness with every lick or scoop of ice cream for generations.
The Magnum Ice Cream Company (formerly part of Unilever) is all about growth. Growing our business. Growing our customers’ businesses. Growing our people’s careers. Growth begins with empowerment. So we free our people to be innovative, responsible entrepreneurs, driven and equipped to give our consumers more amazing products and unforgettable moments – and having fun doing it. Here’s what defines success in our organization :
- We are all about growth
- We operate with speed and simplicity
- We win together with fun
- We boldly innovate to disrupt our industry
- We care and challenge
- We are experts in the Ice Cream Category
Additional Information
Kingston working environment:
- Contractors who are based at Kingston will be eligible to get free parking at a local carpark
- There is a Unilever Staff Shop located on the Ground Floor next to the main entrance, where Contingent Workers can buy discounted Unilever products.
- A canteen
- A Gym is available for use on the Ground Floor (with subscription).
- Facilities in the gym include cardiovascular equipment, resistance machines, spin bikes, free weights area, boxing equipment and a stretch/matted area. Classes are also available and can be booked directly with the Gym. Shower facilities are available in the changing rooms, along with hairdryers.