Demand Planning Analyst - Woking

Demand Planning Analyst jobs

There are countless factors that can influence demand on a product you are supplying to customers. They can be as predictable as the summer and winter demands for ice cream or as frantic as a sudden and unexpected shortage of a product due to adverse weather or transport issues. The job of the demand planning analyst will be to ensure that demand is fulfilled by a mixture of effective forecasting and an ability to crisis manage demand.

Good analysts will not simply take stats as read, of course – they will try to delve deeply into as many influencing factors as possible and come up with more precise results in order to improve efficiency of ordering and cut down on warehousing and distribution costs. The calculations will also need to be presented to senior management in a regular reporting schedule that can help them with the company’s finances.

Modern demand planning uses technology to automatically communicate demand from retailers and manufacturers, using their own databases to collaboratively predict and respond to demand. Part of the demand planning analyst’s job will be to liaise with customers to set up and optimise these automatic channels. Automation is only as good as the analysis that goes into the system, so this role will be an essential part of further increasing its value to the supplier.

The skills required

Analysis of any kind will require a mathematical mindset, and demand planning analysis is no exception. The figures you come up with will need to be bulletproof within the natural limitations of any predictive speciality. Not only that, but you might be required to argue your case, based on your figures, with senior management, who might have been doing things their way for many years. If you have the confidence to challenge their assumptions and are proved right in the long run, your personal stock will be greatly improved – not to mention your employer’s.

As some demand planning analysis, particularly for a large, complex company, might involve a team of analysts, a personable nature and team ethic will be essential qualities. Should you be in charge of a team of analysts, people management skills will be a must.

Demand Planning Analyst Jobs in Woking

Woking is a town in London’s commuter belt, about 21 miles (34 km) from the centre of the capital. It is a prosperous town with a population of about 60,000 in the town itself, but its borough as a whole is home to around 100,000. The Kenwood electronics company was founded in the town by, you guessed it, Ken Wood.

The town has international fame thanks to motor sport. It has been home to McLaren racing since the 1980s after moving from Colnbrook near Heathrow Airport. The racing division of McLaren has a fantastic facility for building its Formula One racing cars in the town, and they have recently opened a state-of-the-art factory for building their road cars, one of which wouldn’t leave you much change out of £200,000. Both factories are notable by their cleanliness, which makes the average operating theatre or satellite laboratory look a little grubby.

Woking is well served by road, rail and air, and its hi-tech industries mean that expertise in many fields is often sought. For our part, Demand Planning Analyst vacancies have been filled of late, and development seems to be continuing apace.

There are a couple of notable references to Woking in popular culture. In HG Wells’s The War of the Worlds, it is Horsell Common, just north of the town, where the aliens first land, and the town has a 7m high tripod statue in honour of this distinction. Wells wrote the story whilst staying in Woking. It was also the birthplace of The Jam’s Paul Weller, and was the inspiration for their hit single A Town Called Malice. Comedians Sean Lock and Harry Hill and TV cook Delia Smith were also born here.

Popular locations

Cast UK’s supply chain opportunities

People approach Cast UK for many reasons, whether seeking more job fulfilment or simply relocating for personal reasons, so it’s good to know that we always have the complete range of positions available nationwide. Please see what’s available in your region and if you’ve seen something you’re interested in, do get in touch – whether it’s today or tomorrow, we might have the ideal position for you.

Cast UK’s founder members and consultants all come from the logistics, procurement and supply chain sectors, so we know what employers and candidates are looking for in their staff and careers respectively. Cast UK is growing in this part of the UK recruitment industry, mainly because these are the only sectors we deal with, which means that many employers come to us first to create a candidate shortlist because they know we’re tightly focused on delivering the best people to them.

To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Demand Planning Analyst for your business or find you a job as a Demand Planning Analyst then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.

Contact us