Knauf stands for opportunity. We know that opportunity looks different to each person and we are proud that we see opportunity in everyone. This exciting role within Knauf Insulation could be the perfect next opportunity for you to build a unique career, in a values-led culture with a clear purpose of making tomorrow a home for all of us. As a Group we are a global manufacturer of construction materials and our 41,500 team members in 90 countries across 300 sites provide a huge opportunity for anyone with ambition and energy. We value everyone's contribution equally and we ask that you bring your whole self to work, to enrich the business further, as together we achieve more in a safe and inclusive environment.

Knauf Insulation is proud to be part of the Knauf Group. We have a 40-year heritage in manufacturing insulation and have big plans for the future. Our global reach in 40 countries continues to grow and we are looking for passionate, ambitious people to join our 6000-strong team and help us achieve our goals. We are all led by the same core values and believe in the powerful potential of large companies to have a positive impact on the world. 

We are now looking to recruit a new Demand Planning Manager, in Visé (Belgium), for the EMEA region, where you'll have a direct impact on our growth strategy, forecasting, and business planning processes. You'll be reporting to the Supply Chain Director, EMEA

Can you say ‘yes’?...

• Are you a dynamic, results-driven leader with a passion for strategic business planning?
• Do you thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment?

If so, we want you to join our team!

As the Demand Planning Manager, you will lead and optimize the demand planning process across EMEA for three key technologies on a rolling 24-month horizon. You’ll work closely with regional teams and central functions, bridging the gap between local markets and global strategy. Your efforts will directly shape our long-term growth plans, risk management, and decision-making processes, ensuring alignment with our strategic goals

What you’ll be doing:

• Strategic Business Planning & Forecasting:
• Collaborate with Business Analysts, Central Marketing, and Master Planners to support our 5-year Strategic Plan, defining the optimum production and distribution footprint.
• Lead the demand side of the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, ensuring that all forecasts align with long-term business objectives and Group targets.
• Leadership & Collaboration:
• Supervise and coordinate a team of 6 Regional Demand Planners, ensuring alignment in demand forecasting across EMEA.
• Partner with Sales, Marketing, and Customer Finance to generate accurate, actionable demand forecasts.
• Drive consensus and decision-making in the Month Arbitration & Consensus process, working closely with the Executive Committee and Board.
• Continuous Improvement & Tools Optimization:
• Lead initiatives to improve forecast accuracy and enhance planning processes.
• Develop dashboards to monitor sales forecast performance and provide actionable insights.
• Contribute to the development of new business planning tools and models, including Blue Yonder and market intelligence-based systems.
• Scenario Planning & Risk Management:
• Develop and assess various “what-if” scenarios, evaluating their impact on the business and identifying key opportunities and risks.
• Provide in-depth analysis and reports to senior leadership, ensuring that strategic targets are achieved.
• Cross-functional Collaboration:
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO & COO, helping them build and validate sales forecasts.
• Engage with Regional Sales Directors to provide the necessary support and expertise to Demand Planners at the local level.
• Product Development & NPI/EOL Process:
• Actively participate in the New Product Introduction (NPI) and End-of-Life (EOL) processes, ensuring demand planning is integrated throughout product lifecycles.

What we’d love for you to have:

We are interested in you as a person, your attitude, behaviours and values. As long as you have the willingness to learn anything you need for the role that you don't already have, we'd love to speak to you. What we are looking for:

• Education & Experience:
• Master’s degree in Economics, Finance, or Supply Chain Management.
• At least 5 years of experience in business planning, including collaboration with sales and marketing teams.
• APICS Level 2 certification is a plus.
• Skills & Expertise:
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficient in MS Office 365 (Excel expertise required), and experience with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Blue Yonder is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English, French, and Dutch is required; German is an asset.
• Ability to thrive under pressure and handle multiple, competing priorities.
• International mobility (20-30% travel required).
• Personal Attributes:
• Autonomous, proactive, and well-organized with a strong ownership attitude.
• A collaborative team player with exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Agile and adaptable to changing priorities and complex scenarios.
• Assertive and confident when presenting data and conclusions to senior leaders.

We will provide:

As this is a central, international position, the package and associated benefits will be those of the contract's host country. Our common criterion was to build a comprehensive salary package that stands out in the market.

On top of that, we offer:

• Impact: Be at the forefront of shaping our demand planning strategy across EMEA and contribute directly to the company’s growth and success.
• Development: Opportunity for professional growth and learning in a collaborative, international environment.
• Flexibility: Work with a dynamic, global team while enjoying flexibility in work arrangements.
• Culture: A positive, inclusive team culture where your contributions are recognized and valued

What happens next?

We appreciate that your time is precious and applying for a new job can be a lengthy process - so we have committed to replying to your application within a week.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion (D&I) reinforces our Knauf Insulation values of Making Tomorrow a Home for all of us. We are committed to creating a workplace where we all can thrive, whoever we are, and inspiring a culture of inclusion and innovation that will drive future business success. We do our best to make sure being at work feels like home. To learn more about our business and culture go here (People & Culture - Knauf Insulation Western Europe)