Supply and Demand Planning Analyst

Data Analyst – Supply and Demand Planning

Location: Cheshire ( Hybrid Working)

We are recruiting a highly analytical Data Analyst supporting the Demand Planning & Supply Chain function, to join a leading manufacturing business. This role is ideal for a data focused analyst who may not have owned demand planning previously but has worked closely alongside Demand Planning and Supply Chain teams, providing large-scale data, insight, and analysis to support forecasting and planning decisions.

The role plays a critical part in transforming complex customer and SKU-level data into accurate, decision-ready insight that feeds Demand Planning, S&OP, and Supply Chain execution.

Although the role is UK-based full time, there is European travel requirements (typically once per month), alongside monthly customer visits across the UK. We are looking for someone who is driven, adaptable, and flexible, and comfortable working in an international environment.

Key Responsibilities

* Act as the primary analytical support to Demand Planning and Supply Chain teams, owning the extraction, validation, and transformation of large customer and SKU-level data sets to support accurate forecasting and planning decisions.

* Analyse and consolidate 13-week customer forecasts, critically reviewing forecast submissions for accuracy, bias, and anomalies.

* Compare historical sales data against new forecasts, identifying trends, seasonality, volatility, and variance to support robust demand planning.

* Produce detailed, decision-ready reports and dashboards using advanced data analytics tools (e.g. SQL, Python, Power BI) to support forecasting accuracy and performance tracking.

* Support the monthly S&OP process by providing analytical insight, scenario modelling, risks, and opportunities to senior stakeholders.

* Work closely with Demand Planning, Sales, Production, and Supply Chain teams, attending customer reviews and internal planning meetings to ensure alignment.

* Provide customers and internal teams with clear forecasting data, performance reports, and demand updates, ensuring complex data is communicated clearly and effectively.

* Monitor FGI (Finished Goods Inventory) data, highlighting risks relating to shortages, excess stock, or demand volatility.

* Support production lifecycle management, including product introductions, phase-outs, and stock build strategies through data-driven insight.

* Identify performance trends, inefficiencies, and value opportunities within demand and supply data to support continuous improvement initiatives.

* Operate effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, managing multiple data streams and changing priorities.

* Support European teams and cross-regional projects, particularly those involving the introduction or enhancement of new data analytics and planning software.

Experience & Skills

* Proven experience in a Data Analyst, Supply Chain Analyst, or Commercial Analyst role within manufacturing, FMCG, or a complex operational environment.

* Strong experience working with large, complex data sets, particularly SKU-level, customer-level, and time-phased data.

* Demonstrated ability to validate, challenge, and interpret data to support forecasting and planning decisions.

* Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, data modelling, reporting).

* Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insight for non-technical stakeholders.

* High attention to detail with strong ownership of data accuracy and integrity.

* Comfortable working in a highly fast-paced, change-driven environment.

Highly Desirable

* Experience working alongside Demand Planning or S&OP teams, providing analytical support rather than owning the plan.

* Hands-on experience with SQL, Python, Power BI, Tableau, or similar analytics tools.

* Exposure to ERP / planning systems such as SAP, SAP IBP, APO, or similar.

* Experience supporting system implementations, upgrades, or analytics-led transformation projects.

* Understanding of demand planning, forecasting, and supply chain processes, even if not previously owned.

* Experience working within European or international supply chain environments