Supply & Demand Planner (m/w/d)

About the company

METRO Deutschland GmbH operates across Germany with more than 10,000 committed employees, 102 wholesale stores, and 11 delivery depots. Its broad range and service offering support around three million customers from gastronomy and bulk consumption businesses. The company emphasizes passion, expertise, and empathy in helping customers, and it sees its diverse workforce as a key driver of success.

Role overview

As a Supply & Demand Planner, you will help ensure product availability across wholesale stores and warehouses while improving planning accuracy, stock levels, logistics spending, and overall profitability. The role focuses on demand forecasting, inventory control, and cross-functional coordination in a dynamic retail and supply chain environment.

Key responsibilities

• Maintain product availability in stores and warehouses and place replenishment orders with suppliers when needed.
• Refine ordering quantities and streamline planning processes to improve stock levels, logistics costs, and profitability while tracking relevant KPIs.
• Monitor delivery schedules and customer orders, ensuring smooth execution.
• Respond quickly to shortages and initiate corrective actions.
• Design and put contingency plans into practice for supply disruptions.
• Act as the main contact point for external partners such as suppliers.
• Work closely with internal teams including Sales, Category Management, Logistics, and Master Data Management.
• Create and share statistical forecasts for customer demand and promotional activity in close cooperation with Category Management.
• Review assortment and promotional item performance, and clean up and analyze historical data.
• Continuously improve forecasting methods and trigger actions when exceptions arise.
• Optimize planning parameters on an ongoing basis by incorporating market intelligence and seasonality, and carefully evaluate forecast accuracy after demand approval.

Requirements

• A university degree in business, preferably with a focus on Supply Chain Management or Logistics, or an equivalent background supported by completed commercial vocational training.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in supply chain management, logistics, or purchasing.
• Practical knowledge of store operations, especially replenishment/disposition processes and merchandise know-how.
• Comfort working with complex computer applications and a strong willingness to do so.
• Confident use of Microsoft Office tools.
• Strong attention to detail and analytical thinking.
• Experience working in cross-functional teams.
• Strong communication, persuasion, and assertiveness skills.
• Fluency in German at C1 level or above and very good written and spoken English.

Additional information

• Flexible working hours with the option to work remotely.
• 30 days of annual leave.
• Attractive company pension options with an employer contribution.
• Strong development prospects through a tailored training program.
• Employee discounts in METRO stores and additional benefits through the partner network.
• Discounted meals in the company canteen, plus free coffee and water.
• On-site company childcare facilities (“METRO Sternchen”) on campus.
• Free company fitness studio (“METRO Activity Center”).
• Central Düsseldorf location with free parking.