Demand Planner - Pharma WEU (Home Based)

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At Baxter, we believe every person—regardless of who they are or where they are from—deserves a chance to live a healthy life. It was our founding belief in 1931 and continues to be our guiding principle. We are redefining healthcare delivery to make a greater impact today, tomorrow, and beyond.

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Here, you will find more than just a job—you will find purpose and pride. 

Role Purpose

The Demand Planner supports accurate, timely, and data-driven demand planning across the pharmaceutical’s portfolio within Western Europe. The role is responsible for developing operational forecasts, supporting the monthly S&OP/SIOP cycle, and partnering closely with Commercial, Finance, and Supply Chain teams to ensure that demand signals are accurate, well-understood, and reflective of business assumptions.

This role also supports specific production planning activities across multiple manufacturing locations and market planning activities for Baxter-sourced finished goods used as raw materials within our internal compounding units.

The role will be home-based but ideally close to one of the following sites - Northampton, Thetford, Oxford, Stockport and Croydon.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Utilise advanced analytics to manage a significant and complex product portfolio.
• Analyse historical sales trends, identify demand drivers, prepare forecast data, build statistical forecasting models, and evaluate forecast performance.
• Recommend improvements to forecasting approaches and identify potential risks based on data-driven insights.
• Analyse and monitor trends in forecast error; collaborate with the Commercial and Compounding teams to reduce error and refine forecasting assumptions.
• Lead cross-functional investigations to reconcile significant variances and enhance forecast accuracy and robustness.
• Develop and maintain operational demand forecasts across multiple levels of aggregation and time horizons.
• Update forecasts based on applicable supply constraints and conduct forecast accuracy and bias analysis.
• Measure, analyse, and report key process metrics while monitoring adherence to demand planning benchmarks.
• Proactively collaborate with Marketing, Sales, and Finance leaders on portfolio changes to ensure the forecast reflects new launches, product lifecycle changes, and market shifts.
• Drive a consensus forecasting approach through partnership with Commercial, Finance, and Supply Chain teams, ensuring current and accurate information is used in demand reviews (Country/Cluster Demand Review meetings and preparation).
• Support the preparation and presentation of demand inputs into the weekly S&OE (short-term execution process) and monthly S&OP/SIOP cycle.
• Provide forecast insights, risk/opportunity assessments, and data-driven recommendations.
• Ensure cross-functional alignment on key planning assumptions and business impacts.
• Support production planning activities for a specific product range across multiple manufacturing locations, ensuring alignment between demand, capacity, and operational constraints.
• For compounding units, manage market planning activities related to Baxter-sourced finished goods used as raw materials (excluding stock movement and availability between plant and CFW).
• Build strong relationships across Commercial, Finance, Supply Chain, Quality, and Manufacturing teams.
• Provide clear communication on forecast trends, changes, risks, and assumptions.
• Act as a point of contact for questions relating to product performance, demand insights, and planning cycle timelines.
• Support decision-making through scenario analysis and clear communication of forecast risks and opportunities.

Role Requirements

• Collaborative style with the ability to challenge assumptions constructively and influence stakeholders.
• Highly organised, structured communicator with strong presentation skills.
• Strong attention to detail, ability to work across multiple priorities, and comfortable operating in a cross-functional environment.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and generate actionable insights.
• Experience working with ERP, forecasting or planning systems (e.g. JD Edwards, Kinaxis RapidResponse/Maestro) is advantageous.
• Experience in pharmaceuticals, healthcare, or another regulated industry advantageous.
• Development support will be provided for internal candidates transitioning into demand planning.

What are some of the benefits of working at Baxter?

• Competitive total compensation package
• Professional development opportunities
• High importance placed on work life balance

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Equal Employment Opportunity

Baxter is an equal opportunity employer. Baxter evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability/handicap status or any other legally protected characteristic.

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