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Demand Planner - Job Opportunity at Robert Walters

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Full-time

Mid-level

Posted: June 27, 2025

Hybrid

EUR 4,500 per month

Benefits

Competitive monthly salary of €4,500 plus annual performance-based bonus providing significant earning potential above base compensation

Generous 8% holiday pay supplement enhancing total compensation package beyond standard market offerings

Comprehensive company pension scheme ensuring long-term financial security and retirement planning

Green mobility incentives including bike reimbursements and eco-commuting options supporting sustainable transportation

Exceptional 31 vacation days per year significantly exceeding standard European allowances for optimal work-life balance

Premium mental health and wellbeing support through Headspace and OpenUP platforms demonstrating advanced employee care

Flexible hybrid workplace model with home and office options plus up to 30 days remote work abroad annually

Tailored personal development plans with access to LinkedIn Learning Premium and world-class learning platforms

Platinum-certified sustainable office environment designed for environmental responsibility and employee comfort

Multicultural and inclusive work environment with 1,800+ colleagues from over 50 nationalities

Key Responsibilities

Orchestrate comprehensive demand planning and supply replenishment processes for designated SKUs across eight European markets within the Animal Health portfolio, directly impacting revenue optimization and market competitiveness

Lead cross-functional collaboration with sales, marketing, manufacturing, and logistics teams across multiple countries, establishing yourself as a key strategic liaison driving business alignment

Execute advanced demand forecasting utilizing SAP APO and JDA systems to ensure optimal inventory levels and prevent costly stockouts or excess inventory scenarios

Manage critical bottleneck identification and resolution processes, proactively preventing supply chain disruptions that could impact customer satisfaction and business continuity

Drive Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) cycles and collaborative forecasting sessions, providing strategic input that shapes commercial and supply chain decision-making

Maintain precision in master data records while supporting new product launches and modifications, ensuring seamless market introductions and competitive advantage

Monitor and optimize key performance indicators including customer service levels, inventory days, and destruction costs to consistently exceed established targets

Spearhead continuous improvement and digitalisation initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and transparency across the entire supply chain function

Cultivate strategic relationships with internal teams and external partners including contract manufacturing organizations to ensure alignment with overarching business objectives

Requirements

Education

A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Economics or a cognate discipline with specialisation in logistics or supply chain management is requisite

Experience

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

Required Skills

Proficiency in SAP APO and JDA systems together with advanced Excel skills for data analysis and planning Exemplary communication skills to navigate complexity across diverse internal stakeholders and external partners effectively A proactive disposition coupled with analytical acumen to discern areas for continuous improvement within extant processes Fluency in English is mandatory; proficiency in additional languages is regarded as advantageous Demonstrated ability to maintain precise master data records whilst supporting logistics preparation for new product launches or modifications Experience monitoring key performance indicators such as customer service level (CSL), days of inventory (DOI), and destruction costs

Certifications

Certification in APICS or comparable professional qualifications is highly desirable though not obligatory

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The animal health industry is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by increasing pet ownership, premium pet care spending, and expanded livestock health regulations, creating substantial demand for sophisticated supply chain professionals who can navigate complex regulatory environments while optimizing inventory management across multiple therapeutic categories and geographic markets. Digital transformation initiatives are revolutionizing supply chain operations across pharmaceutical and animal health sectors, with organizations investing heavily in advanced planning systems like SAP APO and JDA to enable real-time visibility, predictive analytics, and automated decision-making capabilities that reduce costs while improving service levels. Post-pandemic supply chain resilience has become a critical strategic priority, particularly in healthcare-related industries where demand volatility and regulatory compliance requirements necessitate sophisticated demand planning capabilities, bottleneck management expertise, and cross-functional collaboration skills to maintain business continuity.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary of €4,500 monthly (€54,000 annually) plus bonus represents competitive compensation for a mid-level demand planner in Amsterdam's healthcare sector, aligning well with market rates of €50,000-€65,000 for similar roles, with the additional benefits package potentially bringing total compensation to €65,000-€70,000 equivalent value.

Role Significance

The role operates within a matrix organization structure, collaborating with cross-functional teams spanning sales, marketing, manufacturing, and logistics across multiple countries, while maintaining direct relationships with external partners and contract manufacturers, suggesting influence over 20-30 stakeholders regularly.

This mid-level position carries significant strategic responsibility, serving as a critical liaison between commercial and operational functions across eight European countries, with direct impact on inventory optimization, customer service levels, and new product launch success, positioning the role holder as a key contributor to business performance.

Key Projects

Implementation and optimization of S&OP processes across multiple European markets to enhance forecast accuracy and inventory management Digital transformation initiatives leveraging advanced planning systems to automate routine tasks and improve decision-making capabilities New product introduction planning and execution to ensure successful market launches while minimizing inventory risks Continuous improvement projects focused on reducing destruction costs and optimizing safety stock levels across diverse product portfolios

Success Factors

Exceptional analytical capabilities combined with business acumen to translate complex data insights into actionable recommendations that drive measurable improvements in customer service levels, inventory optimization, and cost reduction across multiple markets and product categories. Advanced cross-cultural communication and relationship management skills essential for building trust and driving alignment across diverse European teams, external partners, and contract manufacturers while navigating different business practices, regulatory requirements, and market dynamics. Proactive problem-solving mindset with the ability to anticipate and resolve potential bottlenecks before they impact customer satisfaction, requiring deep understanding of supply chain interdependencies, manufacturing constraints, and market dynamics across the animal health portfolio. Technical mastery of advanced planning systems combined with continuous learning orientation to leverage digital tools effectively while staying current with evolving supply chain technologies, industry best practices, and regulatory requirements in the pharmaceutical and animal health sectors.

Market Demand

High demand exists for experienced demand planners with pharmaceutical or animal health experience, particularly those with SAP APO and JDA proficiency, as organizations prioritize supply chain optimization and digital transformation initiatives while facing talent shortages in specialized planning roles.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

SAP APO and JDA system proficiency represents essential technical competency as these platforms serve as the backbone for demand planning, inventory optimization, and supply chain visibility across the organization, with advanced users commanding premium compensation and accelerated career advancement opportunities in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management capabilities are fundamental for success given the role's requirement to coordinate across sales, marketing, manufacturing, and logistics teams spanning multiple countries, with strong relationship management skills directly correlating to implementation success and business impact. Analytical and problem-solving skills form the core of effective demand planning, enabling translation of complex market data, forecast models, and performance metrics into actionable insights that drive inventory optimization, customer service improvements, and cost reduction initiatives across diverse product portfolios. Regulatory compliance understanding specific to pharmaceutical and animal health industries is critical given strict quality standards, documentation requirements, and approval processes that significantly impact planning decisions, product launches, and inventory management strategies.

Beneficial Skills

Additional European language proficiency beyond English would provide significant advantage for direct communication with local markets, deeper cultural understanding, and enhanced relationship building across the eight-country operational scope, particularly valuable for career advancement to regional leadership roles. APICS or similar supply chain certifications demonstrate commitment to professional development and provide structured knowledge of industry best practices, methodologies, and emerging trends that enhance credibility with senior leadership and expand career opportunities within the organization and broader industry. Project management capabilities would be highly valuable given the role's involvement in digitalisation initiatives, process improvement projects, and new product launches, with formal project management skills enabling leadership of larger, more complex initiatives that drive business transformation. Financial analysis and business case development skills would enhance the ability to quantify improvement opportunities, justify technology investments, and communicate value propositions to senior leadership, creating opportunities for increased strategic involvement and career advancement.

Unique Aspects

International scope spanning eight European countries provides exceptional exposure to diverse regulatory environments, market dynamics, and business practices that significantly accelerate professional development and create valuable expertise in managing complex, multi-jurisdictional supply chain operations.

Focus on digitalisation and continuous improvement initiatives offers hands-on experience with cutting-edge supply chain technologies and process optimization methodologies that are highly valued in the current market and essential for career advancement in modern supply chain management.

Animal health sector specialization provides niche expertise in a growing market segment with unique regulatory requirements, customer needs, and product characteristics that create specialized knowledge valuable across pharmaceutical, veterinary, and agricultural industries.

Hybrid working model with international remote work opportunities (up to 30 days abroad annually) represents a progressive approach to work flexibility that enhances work-life balance while enabling global business exposure and cultural competency development.

Career Growth

Career progression to senior roles typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing demand planners, with advancement opportunities accelerated by successful digital transformation project leadership, measurable improvements in KPIs, and demonstrated ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships across international markets.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Demand Planning Manager overseeing larger geographic regions or expanded product portfolios with increased strategic responsibility for forecast accuracy and inventory optimization across multiple business units Supply Chain Manager with broader operational oversight including procurement, manufacturing planning, and distribution management across European markets S&OP Manager leading cross-functional planning processes and serving as key liaison between commercial and operational leadership teams Regional Supply Chain Director with P&L responsibility for supply chain performance across multiple countries and therapeutic areas

Company Overview

Robert Walters

This multinational healthcare organization represents a well-established player in the animal health sector with significant European presence, operating across eight countries with over 1,800 employees globally, indicating substantial market presence and financial stability that provides excellent career development opportunities and exposure to diverse markets and therapeutic areas.

The organization's commitment to digital transformation, sustainability initiatives, and employee wellbeing programs suggests a progressive market position with strong financial performance that enables investment in advanced technologies, premium workplace benefits, and professional development resources that exceed typical industry standards.

The Amsterdam location serves as a strategic European hub coordinating supply chain activities across eight countries, providing exceptional exposure to international business operations, diverse regulatory environments, and complex market dynamics that significantly enhance professional development and career advancement opportunities.

The emphasis on multicultural collaboration, flexible working arrangements, and comprehensive wellbeing support indicates a modern, employee-centric culture that prioritizes work-life balance, professional development, and inclusive practices, creating an environment conducive to long-term career growth and job satisfaction.

Apply Now

Demand Planner - Job Opportunity at Robert Walters

Benefits

Key Responsibilities

Requirements

Education

Experience

Required Skills

Certifications

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Salary Evaluation

Role Significance

Key Projects

Success Factors

Market Demand

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Beneficial Skills

Unique Aspects

Career Growth

Potential Next Roles

Company Overview

Robert Walters

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

Sauge AI Market Intelligence