British Sugar is a home-grown success story and one of the most efficient and competitive beet processers in the world. Around 3,500 farmers based in East Anglia and the East Midlands supply our four advanced manufacturing sites with eight million tonnes of sugar beet every year. We, in turn, make this in to over 1 million tonnes of sugar, serving customers across the UK, Ireland and increasingly growing commercially in the EU and world sugar markets.

Job Profile

Demand Manager

Job Purpose

To accurately forecast and effectively manage the future demand profile. The Demand Manager is responsible for the demand planning aspects of the Sales & Operations Planning process. Building the demand forecast and providing challenge to ensure the forecast is robust. Interpreting the numbers and providing insight to the business to enable effective decision making. The Demand Manager works collaboratively with the Commercial Team as a business partner to enable effective sales planning and facilitate the creation of the most profitable outcome.

Your core accountabilities

Demand Review

Manage and maintain the 0-24 month forecast. Assess internal and external information to identify trends and insights that need to be captured in the forward forecast
Maintain demand master data, including historical records
Monthly update of sales volume forecasts at a customer and product level using customer information, business intelligence and statistical modelling.  
Collaboratively prepare a monthly Demand Review pack that is clear, concise and consistent, enabling effective decision making within the Demand Review. Prepare appropriate supplementary analysis as required to support decision making.
Facilitate the monthly Demand Review meeting to ensure volumes and Financial Targets are managed effectively throughout the year, and relevant issues are tabled for discussion and decision. Forecast Accuracy

Understand the important areas where forecast accuracy has a significant impact upon supply chain costs & complexity.
Work with the Commercial Team to improve forecast accuracy against these measures (i.e. where it will provide value).
Use performance against these measures to highlight risks and opportunities to the Commercial Team  

Commercial Support

Build strong relationships with Commercial team and Customer Managers
Take ownership of questions/issues from Commercial regarding customer/product demand or supply issues and see through to completion.
Be “in control of the numbers” in terms of customer and product demand forecasts. Provide clear and concise decision support to the Commercial team.  

Critical Skills, Knowledge and Competencies

Knowledge of data visualisation and storytelling techniques
Good communication and collaboration skills
Competent in the principles and process of demand and supply planning
Able to operate cross functionally through effective team working and collaboration
Understanding of the British Sugar value chain and end to end business cycles.
Creative problem solving
Ability to plan and think short, medium, and long term
Exceptional data analysis skills
Organised and methodical in order to deliver quality administrative output
Knowledge of statistical and machine learning