Data Analyst – Demand Planning & Supply Chain

Cheshire West and Chester
3 weeks ago
Create job alert

Data Analyst – Demand Planning & Supply Chain
Location: Cheshire ( Hybrid Working)
We are recruiting a highly analytical Data Analyst supporting the Demand Planning & Supply Chain function, to join a leading manufacturing business. This role is ideal for a data focused analyst who may not have owned demand planning previously but has worked closely alongside Demand Planning and Supply Chain teams, providing large-scale data, insight, and analysis to support forecasting and planning decisions.
The role plays a critical part in transforming complex customer and SKU-level data into accurate, decision-ready insight that feeds Demand Planning, S&OP, and Supply Chain execution.
Although the role is UK-based full time, there is European travel requirements (typically once per month), alongside monthly customer visits across the UK. We are looking for someone who is driven, adaptable, and flexible, and comfortable working in an international environment.
Key Responsibilities

  • Act as the primary analytical support to Demand Planning and Supply Chain teams, owning the extraction, validation, and transformation of large customer and SKU-level data sets to support accurate forecasting and planning decisions.
  • Analyse and consolidate 13-week customer forecasts, critically reviewing forecast submissions for accuracy, bias, and anomalies.
  • Compare historical sales data against new forecasts, identifying trends, seasonality, volatility, and variance to support robust demand planning.
  • Produce detailed, decision-ready reports and dashboards using advanced data analytics tools (e.g. SQL, Python, Power BI) to support forecasting accuracy and performance tracking.
  • Support the monthly S&OP process by providing analytical insight, scenario modelling, risks, and opportunities to senior stakeholders.
  • Work closely with Demand Planning, Sales, Production, and Supply Chain teams, attending customer reviews and internal planning meetings to ensure alignment.
  • Provide customers and internal teams with clear forecasting data, performance reports, and demand updates, ensuring complex data is communicated clearly and effectively.
  • Monitor FGI (Finished Goods Inventory) data, highlighting risks relating to shortages, excess stock, or demand volatility.
  • Support production lifecycle management, including product introductions, phase-outs, and stock build strategies through data-driven insight.
  • Identify performance trends, inefficiencies, and value opportunities within demand and supply data to support continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Operate effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, managing multiple data streams and changing priorities.
  • Support European teams and cross-regional projects, particularly those involving the introduction or enhancement of new data analytics and planning software.
    Experience & Skills
  • Proven experience in a Data Analyst, Supply Chain Analyst, or Commercial Analyst role within manufacturing, FMCG, or a complex operational environment.
  • Strong experience working with large, complex data sets, particularly SKU-level, customer-level, and time-phased data.
  • Demonstrated ability to validate, challenge, and interpret data to support forecasting and planning decisions.
  • Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, data modelling, reporting).
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insight for non-technical stakeholders.
  • High attention to detail with strong ownership of data accuracy and integrity.
  • Comfortable working in a highly fast-paced, change-driven environment.
    Highly Desirable
  • Experience working alongside Demand Planning or S&OP teams, providing analytical support rather than owning the plan.
  • Hands-on experience with SQL, Python, Power BI, Tableau, or similar analytics tools.
  • Exposure to ERP / planning systems such as SAP, SAP IBP, APO, or similar.
  • Experience supporting system implementations, upgrades, or analytics-led transformation projects.
  • Understanding of demand planning, forecasting, and supply chain processes, even if not previously owned.
  • Experience working within European or international supply chain environments

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Data Analyst – Demand Planning & Supply Chain

Data Analyst (Engineering)

Performance and Data Analyst (SEND)

Performance and Data Analyst (SEND)

Data Analyst

Data Analyst

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

How Many Data Science Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Data Science Job?

If you’re trying to break into data science — or progress your career — it can feel like you are drowning in names: Python, R, TensorFlow, PyTorch, SQL, Spark, AWS, Scikit-learn, Jupyter, Tableau, Power BI…the list just keeps going. With every job advert listing a different combination of tools, many applicants fall into a trap: they try to learn everything. The result? Long tool lists that sound impressive — but little depth to back them up. Here’s the straight-talk version most hiring managers won’t explicitly tell you: 👉 You don’t need to know every data science tool to get hired. 👉 You need to know the right ones — deeply — and know how to use them to solve real problems. Tools matter, but only in service of outcomes. So how many data science tools do you actually need to know to get a job? For most job seekers, the answer is not “27” — it’s more like 8–12, thoughtfully chosen and well understood. This guide explains what employers really value, which tools are core, which are role-specific, and how to focus your toolbox so your CV and interviews shine.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Data Science Job Applications (UK Guide)

If you’re applying for data science roles in the UK, it’s crucial to understand what hiring managers focus on before they dive into your full CV. In competitive markets, recruiters and hiring managers often make their first decisions in the first 10–20 seconds of scanning an application — and in data science, there are specific signals they look for first. Data science isn’t just about coding or statistics — it’s about producing insights, shipping models, collaborating with teams, and solving real business problems. This guide helps you understand exactly what hiring managers look for first in data science applications — and how to structure your CV, portfolio and cover letter so you leap to the top of the shortlist.

The Skills Gap in Data Science Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Data science has become one of the most visible and sought-after careers in the UK technology market. From financial services and retail to healthcare, media, government and sport, organisations increasingly rely on data scientists to extract insight, guide decisions and build predictive models. Universities have responded quickly. Degrees in data science, analytics and artificial intelligence have expanded rapidly, and many computer science courses now include data-focused pathways. And yet, despite the volume of graduates entering the market, employers across the UK consistently report the same problem: Many data science candidates are not job-ready. Vacancies remain open. Hiring processes drag on. Candidates with impressive academic backgrounds fail interviews or struggle once hired. The issue is not intelligence or effort. It is a persistent skills gap between university education and real-world data science roles. This article explores that gap in depth: what universities teach well, what they often miss, why the gap exists, what employers actually want, and how jobseekers can bridge the divide to build successful careers in data science.