Head of Forecasting

Head of Forecasting

Are you passionate about data, numbers and analytical decision-making?

Do you enjoy creating structure from complexity and using insight rather than instinct to drive business performance?

If you’re looking for a role where you can take ownership of one of the most business-critical functions in a growing consumer brand, we’d love to hear from you.

Head of Forecasting , you will own the end-to-end forecasting strategy across the business, ensuring accurate, transparent and reliable sales and demand forecasts that underpin commercial, operational and financial decision-making.

You’ll be the subject matter expert responsible for forecasting methodology, governance and continuous improvement, while leading a high-performing planning team.

The Role

• Forecasting Strategy & Ownership
• Own the end-to-end sales and demand forecasting process across multiple channels and markets.
• Develop, maintain and continuously improve forecasting methodologies to create a single source of truth across the business.
• Take overall accountability for forecast accuracy, consistency and quality.
• Lead a structured forecasting cycle including reviews, assumptions, adjustments and governance.
• Analyse forecast performance, identify trends and bias, and implement actions to continuously improve accuracy.
• Demand Planning
• Ensure demand plans are accurately derived from the sales forecast using clear, consistent methodologies.
• Simplify planning processes through standardisation, transparency and robust assumptions.
• Partner closely with Supply Chain, Procurement and Operations to translate forecasts into executable supply plans.
• Ensure demand plans are realistic, explainable and support service level and inventory objectives.
• Data, Systems & Continuous Improvement
• Own forecasting models, planning systems and reporting tools.
• Drive improvements in data quality, forecasting capability and planning processes.
• Develop scenario planning, sensitivity analysis and what-if modelling to support strategic decision-making.
• Work closely with Finance to align forecasting with budgets, financial planning and business cases.
• Leadership & Business Partnering
• Lead and develop the Planning & Forecasting team.
• Collaborate with Sales, e Commerce, Marketing and Product teams to gather market intelligence while retaining ownership of the final forecast.
• Act as a trusted business partner to the senior leadership team, providing clear, data-driven insight and recommendations.
• Monitor key forecasting and planning KPIs, producing regular reporting and performance analysis.

About You

• Degree educated in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Data Analytics or a related discipline.
• Significant experience within Forecasting, Sales Forecasting or Demand Planning, ideally within FMCG, Consumer Goods, Food & Drink or e Commerce.
• Demonstrable experience owning forecasting methodology, processes and forecast accuracy.
• Strong analytical and commercial mindset with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Excel skills with experience using ERP systems and forecasting software (such as SAP, Streamline or similar planning tools).
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to build, coach and develop high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence senior leaders.
• Fluent English required; additional European languages would be advantageous.

This is an excellent opportunity to shape and lead the forecasting function within an ambitious, fast-growing business where data-driven decision making is at the heart of its continued success.

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