Demand Planning Manager

About Sysco Ireland

Sysco is a global leader in foodservice, dedicated to connecting people through food and providing innovative products and solutions. Serving a wide range of customers including restaurants, healthcare, education, and lodging facilities, Sysco combines local presence with global expertise to support industry growth and deliver exceptional service.

Position Overview

We are looking for a Demand Planning Manager to lead our demand planning team based in either Limerick, Dublin, or Belfast. This strategic role focuses on enhancing forecast accuracy, ensuring product availability, minimizing waste, and supporting growth initiatives. The role requires collaboration across departments and participation in transformational projects, while guiding and developing a high-performance team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and nurture the demand planning team to achieve key performance indicators related to forecast accuracy, product availability, and waste reduction.
• Oversee recruitment, performance management, and employee engagement within the team.
• Promote continuous improvement and implement best practices in demand forecasting.
• Work closely with Supply Chain, Marketing, Merchandising, Sales, and Operations departments to align planning efforts.
• Represent the demand planning function in internal and external meetings and contribute to relevant projects.
• Support and lead category and business transformation initiatives impacting demand planning.
• Perform root cause analysis for performance challenges and implement corrective measures.
• Provide regular reporting and updates on demand planning performance to stakeholders.
• Act as deputy to the Head of Demand Planning when necessary.
• Manage over one million forecast entities within a multi-tier supply chain covering both short and long-term horizons.
• Participate as a Subject Matter Expert in technology transformation projects.

Candidate Requirements

• At least five years of experience in demand planning or supply chain management within Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) or reputable blue-chip companies.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills; proficient in advanced Excel, with SQL and Power Query skills preferred.
• Experience using forecasting tools and techniques; familiarity with Business Intelligence platforms and Tableau is advantageous.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including team development and coaching experience.
• Ability to handle change effectively and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic workplace.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to manage diverse stakeholder relationships.
• Highly organized with strong prioritization and planning competencies.
• A proactive approach focused on continuous improvement and innovation.

Core Competencies

• Agility and Innovation – adapting to change and initiating creative solutions.
• Collaboration – building robust partnerships across various functions.
• Execution Focus – delivering results through effective planning and accountability.
• Resilience – maintaining composure and supporting team wellbeing under pressure.
• Inclusive Leadership – fostering an empathetic and open environment.
• Customer Orientation – prioritizing customer needs in decision making.

Performance Metrics

• Forecast accuracy measured through WMAPE, BIAS, and FVA metrics.
• Monitoring waste and first-time availability budget performance.
• Customer satisfaction as indicated by Net Promoter Scores (NPS).
• Team engagement metrics including training and retention rates.
• Contribution to internal engagement programs and alignment with company values.

Note: Responsibilities may evolve in response to changing organizational demands.