Demand Planning Manager

In a world where old school soft drinks, unnecessary food waste and outdated business practices are a thing of the past, DASH is leading the healthy hydration revolution. We infuse our super tasty waters with real wonky fruit. That’s the bent, crushed, misshapen fruit that supermarkets say no to. No sugar, no sweeteners, no worries. 

DASH launched in 2017 and has quickly become the market leading brand in a category that has grown over 60% YoY in the UK. DASH has an industry-leading DTC platform, and in 2026 we will sell over 56 million cans in 20+ international markets with notable retailers including: Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado and M&S. 

We are incredibly proud to say that we are a Certified B Corporation. We always intend to use our business as a force for good, and now it’s official. 

Job role:

DASH Water’s Demand Planning Manager is responsible for setting up and running an accurate demand forecast across all channels and markets, enabling the business to plan production, inventory and cash around a single agreed number.

This is achieved by combining statistical forecasting with sales, marketing and finance input, leading the monthly demand review, and partnering closely with the Supply Planning Manager and Head of Finance Planning & Analysis.

Demand Planning

• Responsible for leading the timely generation of DASH's demand plan: build, own and run the tool.

• Work with the sales, brand and finance teams to develop long (12-36 month) and short (0-12 month) range forecasts utilising historical data, market trends, and sales inputs and range reviews.

• Own the short-term (0-4/0-8 week) forecast, incorporating customer and warehouse level forecasts, promotional planning. Review weekly with the Sales team to keep near-term accuracy as tight as possible.

• Forecast demand by international market and packaging format/pack size, partnering with distributor and local sales teams to build visibility in export markets where sell-through data is limited.

• Monitor and adjust forecasts in response to forecast accuracy, account specific deals, New Product Development (NPD) and shifts in pack and flavour splits.

• Measure forecast accuracy and implement improvements to enhance predictability.

Customer Supply Chain relationship

• Lead updates and actions with the Sales team and customers when relevant - communicating stock availability clearly and agreeing prioritisation/next steps.

• Own the relationship with customer’s operational contacts.

• Work with customers to get their forecasts and incorporate into demand reviews.

Activity & Promotional Planning

• Support the Activity Management Review (led by the Supply Planning Manager), providing the customer forecast and promotional volume basis for each review cycle.

• Work with Sales and Brand teams to build and maintain a promotional forecasting library, capturing uplift assumptions by account and mechanic.

S&OP & Business Planning

• Support the Head of Operations with the monthly S&OP process, leading the demand review and presenting the consensus forecast.

• Work closely with the Head of Finance Planning & Analysis (FP&A) to reconcile commercial, financial and operational views into a single “one number” revenue forecast.

• Provide forecast risk and opportunity input into DASH's financial planning and budgeting cycles.

• Use AI, Power BI and other analysis tools to pull data and provide insights.

Other Assignments

• Provide a 2+ year forecast to enable us to procure wonky fruit and support with this process.

• Support the Product Manager with demand volume curves and cannibalisation analysis for NPD launches.

• Responsibility for assigned B Corp questions.

• Perform other duties as required or assigned by the management team

What we are looking for:

• Experience within food and beverage FMCG demand planning and forecasting, ideally at manager or senior specialist level.

• Strong statistical/analytical forecasting ability, comfortable building baseline forecasts from imperfect data.

• Highly numerate and proficient in using Excel to manage forecasting, reporting and analysis; experience with a demand planning or ERP system (e.g. SAP APO/IBP, NetSuite) is an advantage.

• Confident managing conflicting interests, negotiating and working with internal and external stakeholders (Sales, Marketing, Finance, Supply Planning) to align everyone around one forecast number.

• Experience partnering with Finance/FP&A on revenue forecasting and budgeting cycles.

• Understands what information people require, providing accurate, clear and timely reports and forecasts to meet the agreed expectations of all stakeholders.

• Copes effectively with change, making informed decisions on the information available, and comfortable handling the attendant risk and uncertainty.

• Experience of working with stock and accounting systems (Unleashed and Xero preferred).

• Interest in sustainability within FMCG and an ability to evaluate the environmental impact of decisions made in the context of DASH's supply chain.

• AI proficiency preferred (Claude)

• Competitive salary and discretionary bonus 

• Hybrid working with minimum three days in the office a week 

• Consideration for share option scheme (after 1 year service) 

• 25 days holiday a year 

• Subsidised public transport travel (Zones 1-2) 
• Classpass and Headspace subscriptions 

• Salary sacrifice nursery scheme  
• Work phone 

• Enhanced family friendly policies 

• Free tasty breakfast in the office 

• Regular social events with the team 

• Dynamic and supportive working environment 

• As much DASH as you can drink! 

DASH's commitment to diversity and inclusion:

DASH Water is committed to employing a diverse workforce and providing a supportive environment for employees from all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age. If there is anything we can do that will help you take part in the application process, please contact us first at hello@dash-water.com