Head of Global Demand & Supply Planning bei Westfalia Fruit

Come and join the leading #avoexperts 🥑

Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce – 365 days a year & across the globe.

With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognised as the leading #avoexperts and considered as the supplier of choice to both retail & wholesale customers whom we serve from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America & Southern Africa.

We’re looking for a Head of Global Demand & Supply Planning to join our team from one of our European offices

This is a newly created leadership role, central to our future growth and operational excellence. As Head of Global Supply & Demand, you will be responsible for building and leading a world-class supply and demand planning function that ensures availability, efficiency, and agility across our global value chain. Working closely with senior stakeholders across Supply Chain, Commercial, Finance, and Operations, you will be instrumental in shaping and embedding a global S&OP process, strengthening forecasting and planning capabilities, and enhancing decision-making across the business.

Responsibilities include:

• Design, implement and lead a globally integrated supply and demand planning function aligned to business goals.
• Own the global planning cycle from long-range strategy to weekly execution, ensuring cross-functional alignment.
• Lead the development of demand forecasts using data, analytics, and commercial insight across all key markets.
• Translate demand forecasts into effective, risk-aware supply plans across our global sourcing and production footprint.
• Build and lead a robust S&OP process including consensus planning, scenario modelling, and executive-level reviews.
• Develop a global inventory strategy that supports availability, freshness, and working capital optimisation
• Partner with IT and Digital teams to enhance planning capabilities through systems, dashboards, and automation.
• Act as the central point of alignment between Commercial, Sourcing, Operations, Finance, and Logistics.
• Drive continuous improvement through the use of planning KPIs, governance, and performance tracking.
• Build and lead a high-performing global planning team, fostering collaboration, innovation, and professional development.

Requirements

Essential

• A strong background in end-to-end supply chain or planning leadership, ideally within fresh produce, FMCG or food industries.
• Proven success in designing and implementing global or regional S&OP/IBP processes.
• Strong expertise in demand forecasting, supply planning, inventory optimisation, and scenario modelling.
• Demonstrated ability to manage planning across short and long-term horizons with perishable product constraints.
• Experience working across functions and geographies, collaborating with Commercial, Logistics, Sourcing, and Finance.
• Proficiency in planning systems (e.g. SAP APO/IBP, o9, Anaplan) and strong Excel or data analytics capability.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering or a related field.
• Strong stakeholder management and facilitation skills; able to influence at all levels.

Desirable

• Experience in fresh produce or highly seasonal, high-velocity industries.
• Postgraduate qualifications such as MSc, MBA, or industry certifications (e.g. CPIM, CPF).
• Knowledge of post-harvest dynamics, shelf life implications, and supply chain risk in a perishable product context.
• Experience leading global or remote teams in a matrix structure.
• Familiarity with advanced analytics, automation, or AI in supply chain planning.

Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package that will vary by location. Full details will be shared as part of the interview process.

• Enjoy a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Be part of a global organisation recognised as a leader in fresh produce.
• Join a purpose-driven company committed to sustainability and innovation.
• Contribute to an industry leader at the forefront of fresh produce innovation.

Please note that this position does not have a specific closing date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and the advert may be removed at any time.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, or veteran, neurodiversity or disability status.