Demand Planning manager

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you.

As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don't compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.

To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led, resilient and positive to succeed here because we expect pace and agility, we insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact

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About the Job

Why join our team?

Godiva is part of pladis, home to iconic brands such as Godiva, McVitie's and Ülker. These brands make sweet and savoury treats that consumers everywhere recognise and enjoy As we continue to innovate, we will expand our premium chocolate portfolio with new flavours, concepts and ways to share happiness.

Our strength lies not only in our products but also in our people and values. We retain the honesty, integrity and trust instilled by our founders as we embark on the next chapter of success.

What will this role achieve?

The Demand Planner is a critical role within Godiva Operations, ensuring accurate forecasting and acting as the central coordination point for consolidating demand across markets. This position is the key link between Sales and Supply Chain, driving forecast accuracy and enabling smooth operational execution for our premium chocolate portfolio.

You will manage the integration of demand inputs, oversee seasonal and new product launch planning, and ensure alignment between commercial expectations and operational capabilities.

Key Deliverables

· Forecast Accuracy & Consolidation

o Collect, validate and consolidate demand inputs from multiple channels and markets into a unified forecast.

o Monitor forecast performance, analyse deviations and implement corrective actions to improve accuracy.

o Build new Ways of Working to consolidate global demand for MBC products.

· Cross-Functional Collaboration

o Act as the first point of contact for Sales and Supply Chain on demand and forecasting matters.

o Lead regular demand review meetings and ensure effective communication of risks and opportunities.

· Operational Planning

o Oversee operational delivery of seasonal plans and new product launches in close partnership with Brand and Commercialisation teams.

o Identify and mitigate risks of excess or insufficient stock during seasonal peaks.

· Data Management & Reporting

o Generate weekly and monthly reports on forecast accuracy, demand trends and supply constraints.

o Manage allocation decisions during supply constraints based on historical sales and forecast data.

· System Expertise

o Ensure timely and accurate updates in JDE ERP system.

o Act as the Demand Planning lead for system queries and process improvements.

What do you need for this role?

Experience:

· FMCG experience, ideally in food or confectionery.

· 5+years of demand planning experience ideally in food or perishable products.

· Previous experience managing large data sets and interpreting complex demand signals.

· Exposure to multi-channel environments (Retail, E-commerce, Hospitality).

Skills:

· Strong analytical and numeracy skills.

· Excellent communication and influencing skills across functions.

· Ability to flex between strategic thinking and operational execution.

· Proficiency in JDE ERP and advanced Excel.

Behavioural Competencies:

· Collaboration: Builds strong relationships across Sales, Marketing and Operations.

· Influencing: Persuades and negotiates effectively to align stakeholders.

· Adaptability: Responds positively to changing priorities and market dynamics.

· Ownership & Accountability: Takes responsibility for forecast accuracy and drives improvement.

· Critical Thinking: Evaluates complex data and scenarios to make sound decisions.

· Communication: Conveys information clearly and confidently, both verbally and in writing.

Personal Attributes:

· Challenging yet approachable.

· Committed and passionate about delivering excellence.

Why Join Us?

You will be at the heart of Godiva's Operations, ensuring our premium chocolate reaches customers worldwide with precision and excellence. This role offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact on forecast accuracy and operational efficiency while working closely with passionate teams in a dynamic environment.

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidate to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business.
We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.