Inventory Planner - Purchasing

Alliance Automotive Group; Rotherham; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension Contribution

Cycle to work scheme

Discounts portal

Career development

Annual leave

Job summary

Alliance Automotive Group in the United Kingdom is seeking an Inventory Planner to own forecasting and replenishment across supplier accounts. You will monitor demand, optimise stock levels, and collaborate with RDCs to ensure strong stock availability.

The role requires strong numerical skills, proficiency in Excel, and experience in demand planning or analytics. You will work with Slimstock and Kerridge/MAM as part of a wider ERP ecosystem and report into the Head of Category.

Qualifications

• Strong numerical and analytical abilities.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills.
• Proven ability to chase and deliver results.
• Microsoft Excel is essential.
• Experience in demand planning or similar analytics.

Responsibilities

• Forecast and replenish a wide range of SKUs across supplier accounts.
• Understand demand fluctuations and seasonal trends to maintain stock.
• Maximise product availability while optimising stock across RDC network.
• Analyse data to manage targets and upcoming inventory projects.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive improvements.
• Use Slimstock and Kerridge/MAM within ERP to manage stock.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to apply purchasing strategies.
• Coordinate with DC Operations to resolve delivery and space issues.
• Track PO lifecycle from placement to delivery.
• Keep PO due dates up to date.

Skills

Numerical skills

Analytical skills

Excel experience

Communication

Coordination

Tools

Slimstock

Kerridge/MAM

Job description

Alliance Automotive Group UK & Ireland is a leading distributor of passenger and commercial vehicle parts to motor factors, garages, franchise networks and public services throughout the UK and Ireland. Our strategically designed network, supported by acquisitions, positions us as a market leader in providing automotive parts distribution services to the aftermarket.

Supported by a top-tier logistics network comprising over 300 local stores, 20 Regional Distribution Centres, our state-of-the-art 1 million square foot National Distribution Centre, and a workforce of over 6,000 colleagues, our business model prioritises maintaining an extensive and readily available product range to uphold the quality of our service offerings.

Purpose of the Job

Working within a dynamic and fast paced commercial department, your role forms an essential link in the supply chain. You will take full ownership in ensuring our stock availability remains strong through your ability to forecast and replenish stock efficiently.

Key responsibilities and duties - daily tasks will include but not be limited to:

• Forecasting and replenishment of a large range of SKUs across multiple supplier accounts
• Understand fluctuations in demand as well as seasonal trend patterns and promotional activity to maintain stock levels
• Maximise availability to customers whilst optimising inventory throughout AAG’s National and Regional Distribution Centre network
• Perform different types of analysis to manage targets and performance, as well as to assess upcoming inventory projects.
• Monitor supplier performance and work with stakeholders to deliver improvements
• Work with AAG UK forecasting and inventory management system, Slimstock, as well as the ERP system, Kerridge/MAM
• Working with other departments within the organisation to ensure the appropriate purchasing and stocking strategies are applied to each supplier / product
• Collaborate with DC Operations Team to resolve any issues relating to deliveries, space capacity, critical priority allocation etc
• Continually track the lifecycle of each PO under your control, from placement to delivery.
• Ensure PO due dates are always kept up to date.

Skills required:

• Very good numerical and analytical skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent communication and coordination skills
• Ability to chase and deliver operational results
• Microsoft Excel experience is essential
• Experience in demand planning or similar analytical background

Internal Relations

• Commercial
• Inventory & Planning
• Vehicle Data Team
• RDC Managers
• Sheffield – National Distribution Centre
• AAG Subsidiaries

We are looking for someone with Strong work ethic – self-starter able to demonstrate strong proactive approach and self- initiative; great level of commitment and dedication to meet and deadlines with high-quality results. A positive, can-do attitude is necessary.

You will be working as part of a team, alongside other Inventory Planners and reporting to the Head of Category. We will provide the successful candidate all the training and support needed to fulfil their potential and develop their skills further.

Benefits and other information:

• Competitive salary and annual leave entitlement
• Pension Contribution
• Structured career path and bespoke training
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts and cashback from 1000s of high street stores via AAG Benefits Portal including
  • Groceries
  • Travel and hotel stays
  • Eating out
  • Tech
  • Health and Wellbeing

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Alliance Automotive Group is an equal opportunities employer.