European Demand Planning Specialist (f/m/x)
Segment: Royal Canin
Location: Aimargues (30 min from Montpellier)
Type of contract: Permanent (CDI)
Are you passionate about turning data and market insights into impactful business decisions? As a European Demand Planning Specialist, you will lead demand forecasting for Royal Canin across Europe, translating market trends and business drivers into accurate demand plans. Working closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, R&D and Supply Chain teams, you will drive forecasting excellence, support strategic decision-making through predictive analytics and scenario planning, and help ensure the right products are available at the right time.
What will be your key responsibilities?
Demand Planning & Forecasting
- Lead the management of the demand planning and forecasting process for a defined portfolio of markets, integrating historical sales trends, demand drivers, competitive responses, market trends and substitution effects to develop a rolling 24-month forecast.
- Develop and maintain statistical forecasting models to improve forecast accuracy and support business decision-making.
- Build scenarios based on market and regional insights to support strategic and operational planning decisions.
- Interface with Sales, Marketing, R&D and Supply teams to incorporate the latest market assumptions and business insights into the European planning system.
- Lead periodic demand planning reviews with Business Units, ensuring transparent communication of forecasts, forecast variances, risks, opportunities and key assumptions.
- Serve as the custodian of the regional planning process, ensuring timely submission and alignment of plans across Supply Chain, Commercial, Operations and Procurement teams.
- Collaborate with local planning teams to ensure consistency, alignment and effective execution of planning activities across the region.
Business & Planning Excellence
- Monitor planning performance, identify risks and opportunities, and drive actions that improve forecasting and planning effectiveness.
- Act as a planning expert during supply constraints, allocation decisions and other complex operational situations requiring cross-functional coordination.
- Support product launches, innovation projects and portfolio changes by ensuring planning activities are executed accurately and on time.
- Collaborate closely with stakeholders across Planning, Commercial, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Master Data and Supply teams to achieve business objectives.
- Serve as a technical reference point for the Planning community, supporting onboarding activities, capability building and knowledge sharing.
- Drive simplification, standardization and continuous improvement of planning processes, systems, reporting tools and digital capabilities.
- Contribute to a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement across the planning organization.
What are we looking for?
- Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering or a related field.
- Fluency in English; additional European languages, including French, are an advantage.
- Several years of experience in Demand Planning, Forecasting, Supply Chain Planning or a related field, ideally within FMCG or a complex manufacturing environment.
- Proven expertise in forecasting, including statistical forecasting methodologies, predictive analysis and forecast performance management.
- Strong understanding of end-to-end Supply Chain Planning processes, including Demand Planning, Supply Planning and MRP.
- Experience managing complex demand planning portfolios and making operational decisions in dynamic business environments.
- Experience working with advanced planning systems, forecasting tools and analytics solutions.
- Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
- Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to challenge existing processes and drive change.
- Collaborative working style with a passion for coaching, knowledge sharing and developing organizational capability.
What can you expect from Mars?
- Work with over 140,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by our Five Principles.
- Join a purpose-driven company striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
- Access best-in-class learning and development opportunities from day one, including Mars University.
- Be empowered to take ownership, explore new ideas and make a meaningful impact on the business.
- Benefit from a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to recognize your contribution and support your wellbeing.
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