European Senior Planning Specialist (f/m/x)

Segment: Royal Canin

Location: Aimargues (30 min from Montpellier)

Type of contract: Permanent (CDI)

Are you passionate about turning data, market insights and business ambition into accurate planning decisions? As a European Senior Planning Specialist, you will play a critical role in leading the forecasting and planning process for Royal Canin products across Europe. Acting as an expert in forecasting at both strategic and operational levels, you will provide valuable insights to support market growth initiatives, product availability and customer service excellence.

You will be a key enabler for mid- and long-term planning, helping the business make informed decisions through predictive analysis, scenario building and continuous process improvement. Working closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, R&D and Supply Chain teams, you will ensure market insights are translated into robust plans that support business growth and operational excellence.

Core activities include forecasting and supply planning accuracy, scenario building based on market and regional insights, predictive analysis, product deployment support, implementation of cross-functional projects, and continuous improvement of planning processes and systems.

As part of a team of regional planners, you will collaborate with stakeholders across the organization to drive planning excellence and ensure alignment between market needs and supply capabilities.

What will be your key responsibilities?

Supply Planning & Forecasting

• Lead the management of the supply planning and forecasting process for a defined portfolio of markets, integrating historical sales trends, demand drivers, competitive responses, market trends and substitution effects to develop a rolling 24-month forecast.
• Develop and maintain statistical forecasting models to improve forecast accuracy and support business decision-making.
• Build scenarios based on market and regional insights to support strategic and operational planning decisions.
• Interface with Sales, Marketing, R&D and Supply teams to incorporate the latest market assumptions and business insights into the European planning system.
• Lead periodic planning reviews with Business Units, ensuring transparent communication of forecasts, forecast variances and supply feasibility for unconstrained demand requirements.
• Serve as the custodian of the regional planning process, ensuring timely submission and alignment of plans across Supply Chain, Commercial, Operations and Procurement teams.
• Animate and coordinate the community of local planners to ensure consistency, collaboration and effective execution of planning activities.

Business & Planning Excellence

• Monitor planning performance, identify risks and opportunities, and drive actions that improve forecasting and planning effectiveness.
• Act as a planning expert during supply constraints, allocation decisions and other complex operational situations requiring cross-functional coordination.
• Support product launches, innovation projects and portfolio changes by ensuring planning activities are executed accurately and on time.
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders across Planning, Commercial, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Master Data and Supply teams to achieve business objectives.
• Serve as a technical reference point for the Planning community, supporting onboarding activities, capability building and knowledge sharing.
• Drive simplification, standardization and continuous improvement of planning processes, systems, reporting tools and digital capabilities.
• Contribute to a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement across the planning organization.

What are we looking for?

• Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering or a related field.
• Fluency in English; additional European languages, including French, are an advantage.
• Several years of experience in Supply Chain Planning, Forecasting, Demand Planning or a related field, ideally within FMCG or a complex manufacturing environment.
• Proven expertise in forecasting, including statistical forecasting methodologies, predictive analysis and forecast performance management.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end Supply Chain Planning processes, including Supply Planning, Demand Planning and MRP.
• Experience managing complex planning portfolios and making operational decisions in dynamic business environments.
• Experience working with advanced planning systems, forecasting tools and analytics solutions.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
• Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to challenge existing processes and drive change.
• Collaborative working style with a passion for coaching, knowledge sharing and developing organizational capability.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 140,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by our Five Principles.
• Join a purpose-driven company striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Access best-in-class learning and development opportunities from day one, including Mars University.
• Be empowered to take ownership, explore new ideas and make a meaningful impact on the business.
• Benefit from a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to recognize your contribution and support your wellbeing.

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