Demand Planning - Group Demand Planning Lead

11 April 2025

Location: UK (Remote Working)

Shift: Monday to Friday

Salary: Competitive + Benefits & Car Allowance

We have an exciting opportunity for the position of Demand Planning Lead, based at home with regular travel to our sites across the UK.

Finsbury Food Group is a leading speciality bakery manufacturer. We constantly raise quality and efficiency standards and build long-term relationships with major multiple retailers and the foodservice channel. We make 75% of the UK's sharing cakes from retailer own brands cakes, tray bakes through to party cakes like Caterpillar cakes. This is what we do, and why we're in business. Baking brilliance makes every day special.

The Demand Planning function is an integral component of the Supply Chain Planning Team, which encompasses Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Production Planning, and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP).

The Demand Planning team is pivotal in steering the Sales & Operations Planning process within the organization. Their primary objective is to proactively identify and address discrepancies between demand and supply, facilitating timely and coordinated solutions. This team is responsible for managing the demand signals across various product portfolios and customer segments, aiming to optimize the supply chain and support a precise supply plan that enhances customer service while minimizing costs.

This role entails leading the Demand Planning Team and overseeing the Demand S&OP process for the organization.

This is what you'll actually do!

1. Lead and nurture the Demand Planning team, fostering engagement and professional development as well as overseeing all demand planning activities and processes within the group.
2. Chair the monthly demand review meetings, playing a crucial role in aligning the demand/sales plan through the S&OP process in collaboration with Sales, Commercial Development, and Finance.
3. Spearhead ongoing improvements in the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) demand planning and S&OP processes. Focus on enhancing key performance indicators such as forecast accuracy, bias, and the maturity level of S&OP demand. Collaborate with Demand Planning leaders in other FFG Business Units to share best practices and drive continuous improvement.
4. Contribute to the broader Supply Chain, Planning, and Commercialization strategy by managing various initiatives and projects.

Ideally this is you!

• Comprehensive experience in Demand Planning, Supply Chain Management, and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) within the FMCG sector, demonstrating a consistent ability to drive continuous improvements in processes and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Established track record in team management and leadership, with a focus on achieving results through collaborative efforts.
• Exceptional communication skills, including proficiency in delivering engaging presentations and facilitating highly effective meetings.
• Capable of effectively conveying information to stakeholders at all levels while simplifying complex concepts for better understanding.
• Strong ability to engage and positively influence both internal and external stakeholders, with a talent for managing upward communication.
• Highly analytical with advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent organizational skills coupled with a keen attention to detail.
• Superior problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated proficiency in managing conflicting priorities and agendas.
• Proven capacity to navigate and make sense of complex and ambiguous information.

What's in it for you?

• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival!
• Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees.
• Free Employee Assistance Programme (open to colleagues and their families).
• Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform!
• Company shop available at sites (heavily discounted, yummy products!).
• Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral - t&cs dependent).
• Employee Recognition Awards.
• Extensive Learning & Development opportunities (including opportunities for sponsored professional memberships and our own in-house development course!).
• An opportunity to be part of a fantastic, growing organisation. Head over to our LinkedIn page to find out more!

Our vision is to be the leading specialty bakery group in the UK and we want the best people in place to achieve this. Our continued success is built entirely on the talented people who work here, so employee development is important to us because everyone is a valued member of the team, and we want every individual to have the skills and capabilities to achieve both your own personal goals and our business goals. If this sounds like you, please get in contact to learn more!