ABOUT THE ROLE:
We are looking for a Commercial Planning Manager on a 12 month FTC, to lead the
planning and delivery of market-winning commercial plans, ensuring budgeted
volumes are achieved while maximising forecast accuracy and balancing demand
with available supply. This role plays a critical part in driving business
performance by owning the planning and sell-in performance across defined brands
and categories.
Working closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Trade Marketing, Category
Development and Supply Chain teams, you will provide valuable commercial
insights, challenge assumptions, and influence decision-making across the
business. You will also take joint ownership of the weekly Area volume call,
aligning senior stakeholders behind a clear and accurate forecast before
providing comprehensive updates to the UK&I Regional leadership team.
This is an exciting opportunity for an analytical and commercially minded
professional who thrives in a fast-paced FMCG environment and enjoys translating
data into actionable business decisions.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
As Commercial Planning Manager, you will lead the planning cycle across Trade
Marketing, collaborating with Strategy & Planning to ensure robust processes,
clear timelines and successful delivery of key business milestones.
You will own the Sales Planning process, building and implementing planning
timetables, ensuring deadlines are met, and challenging commercial assumptions
through insights gathered from Category Development, Customer Category and
Commercial Strategy teams.
Working closely with Finance, Supply Chain, Marketing and Sales, you will
contribute to the development of Budget, SAF and S&OP plans, providing
meaningful analysis on performance, future opportunities and areas of risk. You
will confidently challenge plans where required to ensure the business delivers
against its ambitions.
A key focus of the role will be managing the 0–18 month rolling forecast across
your assigned brands and categories. You will analyse performance drivers and
risks, lead monthly brand and account review meetings, and ensure forward
forecasts remain accurate and aligned with business objectives.
You will also oversee seasonal SKU planning, NPD launches and product changes,
ensuring demand is accurately forecasted and commercial plans are fully aligned
with category ambitions and supply timelines. Working closely with Sales,
Marketing, Category and Supply Chain teams, you will identify and resolve
challenges that could impact performance.
The role is responsible for balancing demand and supply by developing commercial
scenarios, managing surplus stock risks, and supporting cross-functional
decision-making to maximise profitability and product availability.
You will lead the weekly short-term forecasting process, coordinating inputs
from Sales, Finance and Supply Chain teams to create an aligned volume outlook.
This includes presenting weekly updates to UK&I regional leadership, providing
clear commentary on performance, forecast changes and variance against budget
and prior year results.
You will continuously seek opportunities to enhance planning effectiveness and
challenge existing ways of working through innovation and best practice.
ABOUT YOU:
You are a highly analytical and commercially aware planning professional with
experience operating within an FMCG environment. You have a strong understanding
of forecasting, operational planning and commercial performance management,
combined with the ability to influence and challenge stakeholders at all levels
of the organisation.
You are comfortable working with large data sets and are highly proficient in
Excel and Power BI. Your strong understanding of the UK grocery and retail
landscape enables you to translate market trends and performance insights into
actionable plans that drive business results.
You have a proven ability to manage multiple priorities, lead cross-functional
discussions and deliver clear, data-driven recommendations. You thrive in
collaborative environments and enjoy building strong relationships across Sales,
Marketing, Finance, Trade Marketing and Supply Chain teams.
Experience within Sales, Supply Chain or Category Management environments, along
with knowledge of Nielsen or Circana data, would be advantageous.
Most importantly, you are a proactive problem solver with excellent
communication skills, a continuous improvement mindset and a passion for driving
commercial success through effective planning and forecasting.
WHAT WE OFFER:
Careers with caring built in - discover our benefits here
[https://www.ferrerocareers.com/int/en/ferrero-unwrapped#global-perks-and-benefits].
ABOUT FERRERO:
Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 19
46.
Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with many
iconic brands sold in countries all over the world. Find out more about Ferrero
at ferrero.com [https://www.ferrero.com/int/en/].
DE&I AT FERRERO:
Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all
employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We
believe all our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the
curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation
after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling
them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what
makes our work environment multicultural, innovative, and highly rewarding.
Find out more here
[https://www.ferrero.com/int/en/people-planet/empower-people/diversity-equity-inclusion-ferrero].
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