Supply & Demand Analyst
1 day ago
Chester
Supply & Demand Analyst – FMCG | Data & Forecasting Focus Cheshire ( Hybrid Working) We are recruiting an experienced, highly analytical Supply & Demand Planner to join a leading FMCG business. This role is ideal for a data-driven planning professional who thrives on turning large, complex datasets into clear, actionable insight to support forecasting and operational decision-making. You will play a critical role in analysing customer and SKU-level data, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities, and translating these into accurate forecasts that underpin Demand Planning, S&OP, and wider Supply Chain execution. Working cross-functionally, you will partner with commercial, supply chain, and operations teams to ensure alignment between demand signals and supply capability, improving forecast accuracy and supporting business performance. The role is UK-based, with regular European travel (typically once per month), alongside monthly customer visits across the UK. We are looking for a driven, adaptable, and flexible individual who is comfortable operating within a fast-paced, global environment, and able to effectively engage with stakeholders across multiple regions. 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., • 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