Head of Demand Planning jobs
Supply and demand are the cornerstones of business, but to those in the supply chain industry they mean much more. After all, they are the people who have to actually perform the supplying in response to (or, more precisely in anticipation of) demand. When you’re at the end of the supply chain where demand has to be delivered, which usually means you’re in retail, you don’t really care how the in-demand goods end up on your shelves as long as they get there and that you always have enough.
Demand planning is the part of supply chain that deals with these issues. They have to look at the whole picture to ensure that the right amount of goods are delivered to the customer when they are requested. If the toy car factory doesn’t get its wheels delivery, there will be no toy cars, so the demand planner will be charged with making sure the supply chain lives up to its name.
Since many retailers, factories and suppliers have multiple lines of productivity, the true picture of a supply chain can be enormously complex. Demand planners will work in teams, overseen by a head of demand planning or a demand planning manager. These people will be involved with taking business intelligence and supply requests from clients and working backwards through the chain to ensure delivery. They will oversee teams of planners and analysts who will be focused on certain streams that contribute to creating the finished products. They will be involved with customers, logistics teams and sales and marketing departments to build up a picture of future demand, which can then be acted upon with maximum efficiency.
The skills required
Ideally, before running a demand planning department, you will have had good experience in supply chain planning and know all about forecasting, analysis and dealing with the logistical aspects of supply chain. In addition, you will need to be well grounded in analytical skills, with above average mathematical and business aptitude.
Without doubt, your ability to appraise situations and decide on the best way forward will be key to your success. You will be working on your own supply streams, and possibly overseeing a number of streams, without having to constantly receive instructions from senior management. Therefore confidence in your own judgement and a self-motivating mindset within the constraints of the job description will be helpful.
Ensuring you have the best information on the situation under your control and giving instructions on optimising and improving it will require great communications skills. As head of demand planning, you’ll also be expected to manage a team, and aptitude in this important skill will be helpful.
Head of Demand Planning Jobs in Hertfordshire
Sharing a border with Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex, as well as Greater London, Hertfordshire is one of the Home Counties.
It is a popular location for commuters to the capital, with mainline rail services to Euston Station and the Metropolitan line. It also offers a wealth of choice for those seeking Head of Demand Planning vacancies.
During its long history, Hertfordshire was home to the Romans and Normans; in the Industrial Revolution the region benefited significantly from its proximity to London and its population increased dramatically.
Settlements within Hertfordshire include Hertford, Hitchin, Hemel Hempstead, Watford, and Letchworth, which became the world's first garden city in 1903. What's more, Stevenage was the first to redevelop as part of the New Towns Act 1946.
Since the 1920s, Hertfordshire has played an important part in the British Film Industry, with a number of studios in Elstree. Television programmes such as Big Brother UK and EastEnders are filmed there, while Leavesden Studios has been responsible for the filming of blockbuster franchises like Harry Potter and James Bond.
In addition, a variety of well known companies have headquarters or large facilities in Hertfordshire in industries ranging from retail to pharmaceuticals and hospitality to aerospace. These include Tesco, GlaxoSmithKline, JD Wetherspoon, BAE Systems, T-Mobile, Ocado, Camelot, TK Maxx, Costco and Balfour Beatty.
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Cast UK’s supply chain opportunities
Applicants approach Cast UK for many reasons. They might be seeking more job fulfilment, they could have been made redundant or they might simply be relocating for family 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 a growing force in the UK recruitment industry, mainly because these are the only sectors we deal with. That means that many employers often 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 Head of Demand Planning for your business or find you a job as a Head of Demand Planning then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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