Office Based, Livingston | £32,000 – £35,000 | Full Time
JOB TITLE: Assistant Demand Planning Manager
DEPARTMENT: Demand Planning
RESPONSIBLE TO: Demand Planning Manager
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
The Demand Planning department is responsible for forecasting customer demand and ensuring the right products are available at the right time across the supply chain. It combines data analysis, forecasting, and cross-functional collaboration to translate sales trends and commercial insight into accurate demand plans. The team works closely with marketing, product, and logistics functions to support product launches, promotions, and inventory management, helping to optimise stock levels, minimise risk, and maintain strong service performance.
PRINCIPLE SCOPE & PURPOSE OF JOB
The Assistant Demand Planning Manager supports the Demand Planning function by helping to develop accurate sales forecasts, maintain demand planning models, and ensure the effective flow of stock through the supply chain. Working closely with all internal teams, the role helps translate historical sales trends and commercial insight into forward looking demand plans that support availability, minimise excess stock, and enable strong service levels. This role combines analytical forecasting, data management, and cross team coordination to support the wider operations and planning strategy.
KEY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Demand Forecasting
- Assist in building and maintaining demand forecasts at SKU, category and customer level.
- Analyse historical sales data, seasonality, promotions, and trends to improve forecast accuracy.
- Support the monthly demand planning cycle, updating forecasts based on new information.
- Identify risks and opportunities in demand forecasts and escalates where required.
Data & Reporting
- Maintain demand planning reports and forecasting models.
- Analyse sales, stock and order data to provide clear insight to the planning team.
- Support reporting on forecast accuracy, service levels, and stock availability.
- Ensure planning data is clean, accurate and aligned across systems.
Marketing/Business Development and Product Collaboration
- Work with Marketing/Business Development and Product teams to understand upcoming promotions, launches, and customer demand.
- Incorporate commercial insights into demand forecasts.
- Help ensure forecasts reflect realistic sales expectations and operational constraints.
Supply Chain Coordination
- Liaise with Stock and Logistics teams to ensure demand plans are operationally achievable.
- Support alignment between demand forecasts and inventory availability.
- Assist in managing demand signals during peak periods or promotional activity.
Product & Lifecycle Management
- Support forecasting for new product launches, seasonal ranges, and discontinuations.
- Monitor early sales performance and adjust forecasts accordingly.
- Assist in identifying slow moving or excess inventory risks.
Team Coordination & Support
- Support the Demand Planning Manager in coordinating day to day team activities and priorities.
- Assist in allocating and monitoring routine planning tasks across the team.
- Provide guidance and support to team members where required.
- Help maintain clear communication and collaboration within the planning team and across departments.
- Support the development of consistent planning processes and ways of working across the team.
- Act as a point of support for the team in the absence of the Demand Planning Manager when required.
Skills & Experience
- Strong analytical and numerical skills.
- Advanced Excel skills including data analysis and reporting.
- Experience working with sales data, forecasting, or stock planning.
- Ability to interpret large data sets and translate them into actionable insight.
- Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively across multiple departments.
- Experience in demand planning, merchandising, or supply chain planning.
- Knowledge of forecasting methods and planning tools.
- Experience working with ERP systems (e.g. Dynamics 365 Business Central).
- Understanding of retail or apparel supply chains.
Systems & Tools
- Microsoft Excel (advanced)
- ERP system (e.g. Dynamics 365 Business Central)
- Demand planning or forecasting tools
- Reporting tools / BI platforms
Pay: £32,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Free parking
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
Location & Commute
- Livingston EH54: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
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