Demand Planning Manager

About the company

Morco Fresh has grown into Australia’s largest supplier of fresh produce to the foodservice industry. The business operates nationally across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Townsville, Perth, Adelaide, and Darwin, and positions itself as the country’s only nationwide foodservice produce supplier. Its approach is built around three core strengths: its people, its customers, and its growers. With a strong local focus and national reach, the company is committed to delivering high-quality fresh produce.

About the role

Morco Fresh is looking for a commercially sharp and highly analytical Demand Planning Manager to own national forecasting and inventory optimisation across a busy fresh produce distribution network in Australia.

This is a key planning and insights-focused position. You will help align demand forecasts with supplier capacity, grower availability, and commercial priorities. The role supports buying, operations, and supplier planning decisions, but it does not include direct purchasing responsibility.

You will be responsible for improving forecast accuracy, inventory efficiency, waste reduction, and service levels within a complex multi-site supply chain.

Key responsibilities

• Create and manage short-, medium-, and long-range demand forecasts for national product ranges.
• Review sales history, seasonal patterns, promotional activity, and market information to strengthen forecasting quality.
• Ensure demand plans are aligned with grower programs, supply constraints, and sales forecasts.
• Provide practical insights that support category planning and wider commercial decisions.
• Track stock levels across the network and maintain accurate buy lists for daily trading requirements.
• Improve stock placement between states to keep product available while preserving freshness.
• Cut stock-outs, excess inventory, and waste through proactive planning and redistribution actions.
• Monitor daily waste, investigate underlying causes, and identify issues linked to forecasting or supply gaps.
• Support improvement initiatives that reduce shrinkage and write-offs.
• Work with operations and suppliers to improve product handling and extend shelf life.
• Study supply interruptions and out-of-stock events, then develop plans to reduce their impact.
• Strengthen replenishment logic and forecasting methods to lift product availability.
• Partner with buyers, operations, sales, and strategic suppliers to align supply and demand.
• Support grower and supplier planning through accurate demand insights and forecasting.
• Contribute to seasonal planning and commercial discussions.
• Produce regular reports covering inventory performance, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Develop and refine forecasting models, dashboards, and BI tools such as Power BI.
• Drive ongoing improvements in planning processes and systems.

About you

You are expected to bring strong experience in planning, inventory, and supply chain environments, along with the ability to turn data into practical business recommendations. You should be comfortable working in a fast-moving, perishable goods setting and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders.

Experience

• At least 5–7+ years of experience in demand planning, supply planning, or inventory optimisation.
• Background in FMCG, fresh produce, food wholesale, or other perishable supply chains is highly preferred.
• Experience working in multi-site or national supply chain operations.
• Exposure to supplier, grower, or agricultural supply networks is an advantage.

Skills and capabilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability, with excellent attention to detail.
• Capability to convert complex data into clear commercial recommendations.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Excellent communication across operational and commercial teams.
• Good commercial understanding and solid supply chain knowledge.
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment focused on perishable products.

Technical skills

• Advanced Excel skills, including forecasting models, pivot tables, and data modelling.
• Experience using ERP or demand planning systems such as SAP, JDA/Blue Yonder, NetSuite, or similar platforms.
• Strong capability with Power BI or comparable reporting tools.
• Experience with forecasting and statistical modelling tools.

Why this role could suit you

This position offers the chance to influence national supply performance in a high-impact and fast-paced fresh produce business. Your work will have a direct effect on product availability, waste reduction, and commercial results across the organisation.

Additional information

Recruitment agencies are not being considered for this vacancy.