Inventory Planning Assistant

Internetwork Expert; Peterborough; Hybrid; CAD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

8 office days every 4 weeks

Job summary

Frontline Group is seeking an Inventory Planning Assistant to combine analysis, organisation and relationship-building in a commercially focused role where your work has a visible impact.

You’ll help publishers maximise profitability through effective planning and accurate forecasting, ensuring stock is allocated efficiently and titles perform strongly in retail. This is a great opportunity to contribute across planning, forecasting and cross‑functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Experience in media distribution, logistics, FMCG, or similar commercial environments.
• Exposure to demand planning, inventory management, production planning, or supply chain activities.
• Strong analytical and numeracy skills with data interpretation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and data presentation.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to review performance, identify opportunities and challenge constructively.
• Strong communication skills to build stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities

• Allocating stock to retail outlets using in-house planning system to maximise availability and sales efficiency.
• Analysing sales trends and running supply scenarios to inform national supply recommendations.
• Managing title supply commitments and closures in line with production and distribution timelines.
• Supporting trade marketing activity, promotions, and wholesale development opportunities.
• Tracking print volumes and investigating variances between recommended and final commitments.
• Conducting robust performance reviews, producing performance packs and contributing to Marketing reviews.
• Support sales forecasting and print planning with cross functional teams.
• Drive continuous improvement to maximise commercial performance.

Skills

Excel

Numeracy

Data analysis

Job description

Do you thrive on using data to solve complex problems and making decisions that deliver real-time results?

Join us as a Inventory Planning Assistant where analytical thinking, commercial insight and smart planning come together to drive performance.

You’ll help publishers maximise profitability through effective planning and accurate forecasting, ensuring stock is allocated efficiently and titles perform strongly in retail.Working closely with stakeholders across the business, you’ll allocate copy, review performance, support sales forecasting and contribute to print planning to ensure products reach customers when demand is highest.

Strong Excel and numeracy skills are essential. You’ll be confident analysing and interpreting data to support informed business decisions.

This is a great opportunity to combine analysis, organisation and relationship-building in a commercially focused role where your work has a visible impact.

We offer an informal hybrid working model, with a minimum of 8 office days every 4 weeks.

Role internally known as a Commercial Copy Planner.

Whatyou’llbedoing:

• Allocating stock to retail outlets using our in-house planning system to maximise availability and sales efficiency
• Analysing sales trends and running supply scenarios to inform national supply recommendations
• Managing title supply commitments and closures in line with production and distribution timelines
• Supporting trade marketing activity, promotions, and wholesale development opportunities
• Tracking print volumes and investigating variances between recommended and final commitments
• Conducting robust performance reviews, producing performance packs and contributing to Marketing reviews
• Support sales forecasting and print planning with cross functional teams
• Drive continuous improvement to maximise commercial performance

What we're looking for:

• Experience within media distribution, logistics, FMCG, or a similar commercial environment.
• Exposure to demand planning, inventory management, production planning, or supply chain activities (desirable but not essential).
• Strong analytical and numeracy skills, with confidence working with data and interpreting trends.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, with the ability to analyse, organise and present data effectively.
• A highly organised and methodical approach, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• The ability to review performance, identify opportunities and challenge constructively.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• A proactive, positive and solution-focused mindset, with a commitment to continuous improvement.

Please note Frontline Group is unable to provide sponsorship for this role.

Aboutus

United by our mission to ‘Make the Complex Simple’, we connect some of the world’s most recognised brands with consumers across retail, media, and premium environments.We’re the UK’s leading magazine distribution business and a leading retail solutions partner across publishing and home entertainment, made up of three business units – Frontline Distribution Solutions, Frontline Retail Solutions, and Gold Key Media.

Through our three business units, we deliver market-leading solutions across publishing, home entertainment, and global brand engagement. From managing the retail journey for iconic titles like Vogue, Grazia, Radio Times and Good Housekeeping, as well as leading children’s brands such as Pokémon, Frozen and Barbie, to working with major publishers, film and music studios, and leading UK retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons and Waitrose, we play a critical role in bringing products to market.Our reach also extends to premium global environments, with brand placements across major travel hubs, four- and five-star hotels, airport lounges, and internationally renowned events – partnering with world-leading hospitality venues to engage high-value audiences.

Whether it’s magazines, collectibles, books, music, film, or global brand campaigns, we combine deep industry expertise, strong partnerships, and innovative execution to deliver commercial success for our clients.

OurCulture

We’re passionate about developing talent and supporting our people grow and thrive.

Our people are at the heart of our success. You’ll be part of a business that celebrates diversity and creates an environment where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and empowered to be their authentic selves.

Guided by our I ACT values – Impact, Ambition, Collaboration, and Trust – you’ll work in a team that encourages innovation, drives sustainable performance, and supports your development, giving you the opportunity to make a real impact within a happy, high-performing and inclusive working environment.

Weofferacomprehensivebenefitspackagetosupportyourwellbeingandlifestyle,including:

• 28daysholidayplusbankholidays(prorata)
• Contributorypension,includinglifeassurance,andincomeprotection
• Informalhybridworkingarrangements,combiningin-officeandremote/homeworking.
• Additionalleave:2paidvolunteeringdaysperyearandfamily-friendlypolicy
• Wellbeingsupport,includingourEmployeeAssistanceProgramme
• On-sitegymandparkingatStuartHouse,Peterborough
• RewardGatewayscheme–SmartSpendingAppwithaccesstoarangeofdealsanddiscounts
• Salary‑sacrificeoptionsincludingprivatemedicalinsurance,carscheme,andholidaypurchasescheme
• Learninganddevelopmentopportunities
• Coachingandmentoringavailabletoallcolleagues