Demand Planning Analyst Intern

If you are in the Unilever Ice Cream business or consider choosing to work for the Unilever Ice Cream business, you will work for the Global, leading Ice Cream player with €7.9bn Turn Over in 2023. The Ice Cream business is operating in a highly attractive category, as we are part of the 1 trillion snacking and refreshment industry, growing consistently at high pace. We have strong brands equities: 5 of top 10 selling brands including Wall’s, Magnum, Ben &Jerry’s. We are investing to unlock the full growth potential of Ice Cream as a standalone entity, once we separate from Unilever, which is planned to happen by November 2025.

Ice Cream has distinct characteristics from Unilever’s other operating businesses and the growth potential of Ice Cream will be better delivered under a different ownership structure. As Ice Cream company we are committed to developing and nurturing talent within our Ice Cream company. You will have ample options for career growth and exploration, allowing you for you to explore roles and opportunities across the new organisation. Your career development will be a priority for us, and we are dedicated to supporting your growth journey within the new company. We hope that you will want to build the new chapter of our Ice Cream history together with us.

Unilever Ice Cream is the largest global Ice Cream Company in the world, with over 100 years of experience delivering a diverse range of indulgent, yet responsible, craft food experiences and treats delighting consumers. Committed to innovation, quality, and sustainability we have 35 brands, including 3 one billion Euro brands (Magnum, Wall’s, Ben & Jerry’s), a strong presence in over 60 countries, generating annual revenue of over $8 billion. All brands are driven to transform moments into memories through indulgent yet responsibly made and marketed products. We have a well-developed strategy to deliver growth and value creation which is clear on where to play and how to win.

We turn the ordinary into the extraordinary by designing unique and innovative Ice Cream experiences that make life taste better, creating joyful experiences. In our Ice Cream business, we’re crafting the future through innovation and imaginative minds, creating unique products. We spark moments of happiness for people and within the communities where we operate. However, it is not as simple as it may seem. As Ice Cream makers we are serious about happiness. With warm hearts, we create the coolest products.

JOB PURPOSE:

As a Demand Planning Specialist, you will collaborate in the S&OP Process where you will work closely with our customer development, marketing, and sourcing unit teams to build an integrated volume and sales plan where you will participate in  coordinating the delivery of the results and make shifts on the forecast based on consumption or business need changes, and hence will manage all downstream supply chain operations. You will also manage the exclusive distributors’ inventories within the targets of Unilever Ice Cream. You will have the responsibility of managing short-term demand-supply risks and managing them proactively.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

•             Prepare strategic and ad hoc analysis

•             Monitor and evaluate KPI’s. The process includes identifying gaps, recommending and implementing actions to improve performance in key areas.

•             Review & maintain Demand and Supply forecasts for multiple time horizons as part of a demand planning function.

•             Use and maintain the Demand Planning tools: Excel Files, Power BI, RapidResponse and SAP.

•             Proactive and Self-motivated to follow up or chase with multiple teams for pending information

•             Reconcile significant variances to discuss during sales and marketing assumptions.

•             Interact with a collaborative and consensus approach with Sales, Marketing and Finance to obtain and ensure that current and accurate information is used for alignment meetings & reviews, focused on understanding demand forecast drivers.

•             Work with Initiatives and Marketing groups to size promotional and new launches forecasts. Coordinate and collaborate in S&OP meetings.

•             Establish strong collaborative relationship with category and customer sales team.

•             Interact with internal stakeholders.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

EXPERIENCES & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree / Graduates from a recognized university with relevant work experience in FP&A or any domain linked to forecast related activities.

• Excellent performance track record and highly disciplined.

• PowerBI + PowerPoint skills & Excellent MS Excel (intermediate to advanced level).

• Proficiency with any System applications (SAP),and/or any other ERP. Also experience with planning systems (APO, RapidResponse) is appreciated.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and partner on multiple activities. 

• Adapts quickly to change in a dynamic organizational structure.

• Hard-working and with the ability to perform well in challenging complex environments, working well under pressure, and prioritizing within tight deadlines.

• Good presentation, influencing, and communication skills - Verbal and non-verbal.

• Ability to work with all Microsoft Office programs (advanced excel knowledge).

• Self-starter and have analytical, problem-solving skills.

• Understanding FMCG retail and customer structures. 

• Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders and management.

ARE YOU EXCITED TO CRAFT THE ICE CREAM FUTURE?

Disclaimer

Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. 

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.