Interim Planning Analyst

The Planning Analyst will support the Global Planning team across a broad range of business-as-usual and continuous improvement activities. The role will provide reporting, analysis and operational support across planning, forecasting, replenishment and S&OP processes, helping to ensure the business has accurate data, actionable insights and effective decision-making capabilities., Planning & Business Support

• Support Planning, Forecasting, Replenishment and S&OP processes through the provision of data, reporting and analysis.
• Produce regular KPI reporting and performance analysis to support business decision-making.
• Conduct ad hoc analysis to answer business questions and identify risks, opportunities and trends.
• Support planning teams with ongoing reporting, data requests and business reviews.
• Assist in the preparation of planning and S&OP materials, presentations and supporting analysis.
• Gather, consolidate and validate information from multiple stakeholders and systems.
Reporting & Data Management
• Extract, download and prepare data from business systems and databases.
• Maintain and update existing reports, dashboards and planning tools.
• Develop and improve reporting capabilities using Excel, Power Query, Power Pivot and Power BI.
• Ensure data accuracy, consistency and integrity across reporting processes.
• Support the identification and implementation of reporting and process improvements.
Operational & Administrative Support
• Support the day-to-day administration of planning activities.
• Prepare recurring reports and distribute information to key stakeholders.
• Assist with tracking actions, maintaining documentation and coordinating planning activities.
• Support data validation and reconciliation activities as required.
• Help ensure planning processes are completed accurately and on time.
Continuous Improvement & Project Support
• Support business improvement initiatives across the Planning function.
• Contribute to process reviews, documentation and process mapping activities.
• Assist with testing, data validation and user support during system or process changes.
• Provide support to business projects and change initiatives as required.
• Balance project-based activities with ongoing business-as-usual responsibilities.
  
  This is a varied role requiring strong analytical skills, attention to detail and excellent organisational capability. The successful candidate will be comfortable working across reporting, data management, planning support, process improvement initiatives and project activities, whilst effectively managing changing business priorities. Experience developing, configuring or supporting AI agents, Microsoft Copilot solutions or other generative AI technologies is desirable, particularly where these have been applied to improve planning, forecasting, allocation, replenishment or S&OP processes., Experience within a retail, FMCG or consumer products environment.
• Understanding of Planning, Forecasting and S&OP processes.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Experience using Power Query and Power Pivot.
• Experience creating reports and dashboards using Power BI.
• Experience extracting, manipulating and analysing data from ERP systems, ideally SAP.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to present data and insights in a clear and meaningful way.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to translate business requirements into meaningful analysis and reporting.
Desirable
• Experience supporting planning, supply chain or commercial teams.
• Experience of Allocation and Replenishment processes.
• Experience supporting business improvement initiatives.
• Experience supporting system implementations and testing activities.
• Experience with process mapping and business process documentation.
• Experience working within a project environment while maintaining BAU responsibilities.
• Understanding of retail inventory management principles.
• Experience developing, configuring or supporting Microsoft Copilot, AI agents or similar generative AI solutions.
• Interest in applying AI-driven tools and automation to Planning, Allocation & Replenishment, Forecasting and S&OP processes to enhance productivity, decision-making and business insights.