Job Description:
Job Purpose
The Demand Planner is responsible for mid-term and long-term forecasting for Chocolates and Gums category, driving a robust demand plan with alignment from Commercial, Marketing, and Supply.
The role acts as the orchestrator of market insights, translating trends, seasonality, and input-driven building blocks into a realistic, streamlined demand plan across all channels—including Traditional Trade, Modern Trade, DCOM and CSD. The Demand Planner ensures proactive management of the rolling forecast, assessing the impact of changing market dynamics, channel-specific growth strategies, and cross-functional inputs to optimize inventory, service levels, and business growth.
What are we looking for?
MBA from a Tier-1 college, preferably with specialization in Supply Chain, Operations, Logistics or a related discipline.
Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience in Demand Planning, Forecasting, or Supply Chain Planning within FMCG, Foods or related industry. Proven experience managing multi-channel environments and cross-functional alignment.
What will be your key responsibilities?
A. Consensus Forecasting & Demand Plan Development
Translate market trends, seasonality, and business drivers into a realistic demand plan by SKU, brand, and channel.
Maintain a continuous rolling demand forecast to secure forward-looking visibility.
Drive cross-functional consensus by aligning inputs from Sales, Marketing, Commercial, and Supply.
Provide and present the core demand consensus view for the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) cycle to Leadership.
B. Omni-Channel Dynamics Integration
Account for divergent channel dynamics and route-to-market behaviours across Traditional Trade, Modern Trade, DCOM, and CSD.
Adapt forecasting logic to capture distinct purchasing patterns, promotional lifts, and inventory stocking norms per channel.
C. Product Lifecycle & Innovation Management (NPD)
Manage product phase-ins and phase-outs from a demand perspective to minimize obsolescence.
Integrate New Product Developments (NPDs), relaunches, and seasonal variants into the rolling demand plan.
D. Cross Functional Collaboration
Supply / Manufacturing: Share agreed plans to ensure production feasibility and capacity alignment.
Sales / Commercial: Align on channel volumes/value, promotional calendars, and local market intelligence.
Marketing / Innovation: Track brand strategies, launch pipelines, and portfolio transitions.
Finance: Align forecast metrics and FY build up with financial targets and volume budgets.
Logistics / Customer Service: Provide forward visibility for warehouse and network planning.
What can you expect from Mars?
Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles. Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today. A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University. An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
