Demand Planner

Demand Planner Salary: 4500 Location: Amsterdam Keywords: cross-functional collaboration, supply chain performance, international environment, continuous improvement, digitalisation, wellbeing-oriented organisation, customised development plan, hybrid workplace model, diverse team A distinguished opportunity has arisen for a Demand Planner to join the ranks of a preeminent multinational healthcare organisation in Amsterdam, affording you the privilege of contributing significantly to the optimisation of supply chain performance across a diverse array of countries and product categories. This esteemed position is ideally suited to an individual who flourishes within a multicultural and inclusive professional setting, where over 1,800 colleagues unite in their commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of both patients and animals. As a Demand Planner, you shall occupy a central role in orchestrating demand planning and supply replenishment activities for an innovative Animal Health portfolio, thereby ensuring exemplary product availability, service standards, and inventory stewardship. The post offers the unique advantage of operating within an international context spanning eight nations, with opportunities to participate in continuous improvement and digitalisation initiatives that elevate supply chain operations. The organisation is resolutely committed to your professional advancement through bespoke development plans, generous wellbeing provisions, and flexible working arrangements designed to foster a harmonious work-life balance.

• Assume a pivotal function within cross-functional teams encompassing sales, marketing, supply chain, and manufacturing across eight European countries, thereby expanding your professional network and deepening your expertise.
• Benefit from a culture that places paramount importance on wellbeing, including privileged access to mental health resources, ongoing support initiatives, and a hybrid workplace model that enables flexible working arrangements between home and office.
• Receive a competitive remuneration package comprising a monthly salary of €4,500 plus annual bonus, 8% holiday pay, company pension scheme, incentives for green mobility, 31 vacation days per annum, and the possibility of temporary remote work abroad.

What you'll do:

In the capacity of Demand Planner based in Amsterdam, you will be entrusted with the orchestration of daily demand planning activities that are fundamental to the success of the Animal Health business segment. Your remit will encompass close cooperation with colleagues from various disciplines—sales, marketing, manufacturing, logistics—and engagement with external partners such as CMOs. You will be responsible for formulating precise demand forecasts utilising advanced systems such as SAP APO and JDA while ensuring that inventory levels are judiciously managed in accordance with market imperatives. By participating in S&OP cycles and maintaining scrupulous master data records, you will facilitate seamless product launches and timely responses to evolving market conditions. Your anticipatory approach to bottleneck management will be instrumental in averting disruptions before they affect customers. Achievement in this role is measured not only by meeting key performance indicators but also by advancing continuous improvement through digitalisation projects that enhance operational efficacy. You will excel by fostering dependable relationships across diverse teams whilst making a positive contribution to an inclusive organisational culture.

• Prepare and execute comprehensive demand planning and supply replenishment processes for designated SKUs and markets within the Animal Health portfolio.
• Safeguard inventory availability by harmonising planning variables such as safety stocks, economic order quantities, version transitions, and market-specific requirements.
• Serve as the principal liaison for manufacturing sites, contract manufacturing organisations (CMOs), and global supply chain teams to ensure seamless communication and coordination.
• Oversee bottleneck management by identifying potential supply constraints at an early stage and orchestrating effective resolutions in concert with local S&OP and customer service teams.
• Participate actively in Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) cycles as well as collaborative forecasting sessions with commercial and supply chain stakeholders to underpin accurate demand projections.
• Maintain meticulous master data records whilst supporting logistics preparations for new product introductions or modifications to existing products.
• Monitor key performance indicators such as customer service level (CSL), days of inventory (DOI), and destruction costs to ensure that established targets are consistently achieved or surpassed.
• Contribute meaningfully to continuous improvement initiatives by discerning opportunities for process optimisation within demand planning and broader supply chain operations.
• Support digitalisation projects aimed at augmenting efficiency and transparency throughout the entirety of the supply chain function.
• Cultivate robust relationships with internal teams across sales, marketing, logistics, finance, as well as external partners to ensure alignment with overarching business objectives.

What you bring:

Your credentials as a Demand Planner should evidence substantive experience managing intricate supply chains within regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals or FMCG. You bring not only technical mastery of industry-standard planning tools like SAP APO or JDA but also refined interpersonal abilities that enable you to connect thoughtfully with colleagues from varied cultural backgrounds. Your meticulous attention to detail ensures accuracy when handling master data records or preparing forecasts that inform critical business decisions. With your analytical orientation, you excel at identifying enhancements that drive efficiency while upholding high standards of service delivery. Your command of English allows you to communicate effectively across borders; any additional language proficiencies further augment your capacity to operate successfully within this international context. Professional certification such as APICS attests to your dedication towards ongoing development—a quality held in high esteem by this progressive organisation.

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics or a cognate discipline with specialisation in logistics or supply chain management is requisite.
• A minimum of two years’ experience within supply chain management roles—preferably focused on demand or replenishment planning within pharmaceutical, over-the-counter (OTC), fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), or animal health sectors—is essential.
• Proficiency in SAP APO and JDA systems together with advanced Excel skills for data analysis and planning is indispensable for this appointment.
• Exemplary communication skills are required to navigate complexity across diverse internal stakeholders and external partners effectively.
• A proactive disposition coupled with analytical acumen ensures you can discern areas for continuous improvement within extant processes.
• Fluency in English is mandatory; proficiency in additional languages is regarded as advantageous when operating within an international milieu.
• Certification in APICS or comparable professional qualifications is highly desirable though not obligatory.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain precise master data records whilst supporting logistics preparation for new product launches or modifications is important.
• Experience monitoring key performance indicators such as customer service level (CSL), days of inventory (DOI), and destruction costs will further strengthen your candidacy.

What the Company Offers You

• Impactful international role
  Join a globally recognised healthcare leader and play a key role in optimising supply chain performance across 8 European countries within the innovative Animal Health division.

• Multicultural and inclusive environment
  Work alongside 1,800+ colleagues from over 50 nationalities in a values-driven, inclusive culture that prioritises collaboration, diversity, and belonging.

• Hybrid & flexible working
  Benefit from a modern hybrid workplace model with flexibility to work from home and in-office—plus the possibility to work remotely from abroad for up to 30 days per year.

• Wellbeing support
  Access premium mental health and wellbeing tools, including Headspace and OpenUP, along with regular initiatives focused on physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.

• Generous time off
  Enjoy 31 vacation days per year, giving you plenty of time to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

• Strong compensation package
  Receive a monthly salary of €4,500, plus:

  • Annual performance-based bonus

  • 8% holiday pay

  • Company pension scheme

  • Green mobility incentives (e.g. bike reimbursements, eco-commuting options)

• Development & learning opportunities
  Advance your career through:

  • Tailored personal development plans

  • Access to LinkedIn Learning Premium and other world-class platforms

  • Opportunities to lead or support digitalisation and continuous improvement projects

• Sustainable, inspiring work environment
  Work in a platinum-certified office designed for environmental sustainability and employee comfort.

• Cross-functional collaboration
  Expand your professional network and skills through close collaboration with Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, and Global Supply

This role is managed by Walters People B.V., trading under the name Robert Walters.