Demand Planning Manager Job Description
A Demand Planning Manager leads forecasting and demand strategy to balance stock, service and cost. Learn about responsibilities, key skills, career progression and how this role supports supply chain performance.
Thinking about a career as a Demand Planning Manager? This strategic supply chain role plays a major part in ensuring businesses can meet customer demand efficiently, cost-effectively, and without disruption. Here, we’ll walk through what a Demand Planning Manager does day-to-day, how to become one, what to put on your CV, and some similar roles you might explore across supply chain, logistics, and operations.
What Is a Demand Planning Manager?
A Demand Planning Manager oversees the forecasting and demand planning process to ensure stock levels, supply chain capacity, and production schedules are aligned with customer needs. Acting as the link between commercial, supply chain, finance, and operations teams, you’ll create accurate demand forecasts, prevent stockouts, minimise excess inventory, and ensure supply plans support business objectives.
On a typical day, you’ll review historical sales data, seasonal trends, promotional plans, and customer forecasts to create forward-looking demand plans. You’ll collaborate with commercial and category teams on new product launches, marketing activity, and changes in customer behaviour. You’ll also work closely with supply planners and logistics teams to ensure the forecast can be delivered operationally, balancing service levels with cost efficiency.
A core part of the role involves leading S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning) or IBP (Integrated Business Planning) meetings. You’ll present forecast performance, highlight risks and opportunities, and recommend adjustments that support service, stock, and financial targets.
Demand Planning Managers use forecasting tools, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and analytics platforms to identify patterns, track forecast accuracy, and quickly respond to deviations. You’ll work cross functionally to resolve issues such as supply constraints, promotional demand spikes, customer changes, or seasonal volume shifts.
This role is ideal for people who enjoy data analysis, working collaboratively across departments, and influencing operational outcomes. Accuracy, curiosity, and commercial understanding are key, alongside the ability to balance customer service with inventory efficiency.
How to Become a Demand Planning Manager?
To become a Demand Planning Manager, many professionals progress from roles such as Demand Planner, Supply Planner, Forecast Analyst, Inventory Manager or Supply Chain Coordinator. Strong experience in forecasting, data analysis, and cross‑functional planning is essential. Building skills in ERP systems, S&OP or IBP processes, stakeholder management, and commercial analysis will significantly strengthen your prospects.
What to Put on a Demand Planning Manager CV
A strong Demand Planning Manager CV should highlight your analytical expertise, forecasting accuracy and ability to influence cross‑functional teams. Include skills such as demand forecasting, S&OP or IBP leadership, ERP systems, data modelling, inventory optimisation and stakeholder collaboration. Show examples of how you’ve improved forecast accuracy, reduced excess stock, minimised stockouts or aligned demand plans with commercial and operational goals.
Similar Jobs to Demand Planning Manager
Demand Planning Managers develop strong analytical, commercial, and supply chain leadership skills that transfer across many areas of operations. Similar jobs to Demand Planning Manager include Supply Chain Manager or Service Delivery Manager. Both these roles require strong leadership, data analysis, and reporting capabilities that ensure stock quality, levels, and distribution remain efficient.
Other Jobs in Logistics and Supply Chain
Whether you’re looking for your next opportunity or to explore your route into becoming a Demand Planning Manager, there are plenty of other roles available in the logistics and supply chain sector. Related roles include Supply Planner, Inventory Manager, Forecasting Manager, S&OP Manager, Category Demand Lead or Commercial Planning Manager.
With further experience, you may progress into roles such as Head of Supply Chain, Head of Planning, or Supply Chain Director. These roles take on more responsibilities and require strong experience in the sector.
For those who enjoy analytics, opportunities also exist in data insights, commercial analytics, and continuous improvement roles. These roles are commonly found within retail, ecommerce, FMCG, manufacturing, wholesale, and 3PL environments.
Apply for Demand Planning Manager Jobs Near You
Demand Planning Manager roles are available across the UK in large retail, FMCG, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and ecommerce businesses, as well as in multinational supplychain teams and logistics providers. Many roles are hybrid, combining officebased leadership with remote analytical work.
Whether you’re looking for a specialist forecasting role or a wider supply chain leadership position, demand planning skills are highly sought after across industries and regions. Locations regularly hiring Demand Planning Manager jobs include London, Manchester, Slough and Warrington - offering a variety of opportunities across the UK.
Demand Planning Manager Job Description FAQ
Is a Demand Planning Manager a Good Career Choice?
Yes, it’s a strong career choice for anyone who enjoys analysis, cross functional teamwork, and influencing business decisions. It also offers excellent progression opportunities into senior supply chain leadership roles.
What Skills Does a Demand Planning Manager Need?
You’ll need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, communication, stakeholder management, and confidence interpreting data. Experience with forecasting tools, ERP systems, Excel, and S&OP processes is highly beneficial.
What Are the Biggest Challenges of Being a Demand Planning Manager?
Challenges include managing uncertainty, responding to sudden changes in demand, aligning teams around the forecast, and balancing stock levels with service and cost pressures. The role requires flexibility and strong problem-solving abilities.
What Personal Qualities Make a Great Demand Planning Manager?
Great Demand Planning Managers are analytical, collaborative, proactive, and commercially aware. They communicate clearly, challenge assumptions constructively, and use data to drive better decision-making.
