Demand Planner

Background & Purpose of the Role

The Associate Market Collaboration Manager supporting the development of a 12–18 month rolling sales forecast for the Ice Cream portfolio
, covering 8 brands and approximately 350 unique SKUs
, totaling
*** billion in annual net sales
. This role acts as the Supply Chain Business Partner across cross‑functional teams, supporting the monthly S&OP cycle to build a realistic, input‑led forecast and identify risks and opportunities. A key focus is on communicating volume changes and drivers across the end‑to‑end supply chain, while leveraging machine learning
, implementation of AI agents on demand analytics
, and driving simplification and continuous improvement in forecasting processes and tools.

• Lead creation of a bottoms‑up forecast using business insights and machine learning inputs.
• Translate market and promotional insights into demand drivers for auto‑forecast modelling.
• Ensure forecast volumes are aligned with financial projections and submitted on time.

• Facilitate Activity and Demand Review discussions with deep market understanding.
• Drive forecast quality improvements through regular performance reviews with Demand Analysts, Brand, and Customer Strategy teams.
• Provide innovation forecasts to project teams and ensure data‑driven planning for new products.

• Partner with Brand, Customer Strategy, and Finance to deliver input‑led forecasts across all horizons.
• Ensure coverage of non‑forecastable segments, innovations, and local brand‑building activities.

• Forecast Accuracy, Bias, and VVD
  :
  Accountable for improving key forecast metrics.
• Waste Reduction
  :
  Targeting a 15% year‑over‑year reduction in business waste losses.
• Forecast Transparency
  :
  Ability to fully explain forecast composition (volume & value) and associated risks/opportunities during Activity and Demand Reviews.