Inventory Planning Assistant

Internetwork Expert; Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension and life assurance

Hybrid in-office/remote working

Volunteering days

Employee wellbeing programme

On-site gym and parking

Wellbeing support

Salary sacrifice benefits

Learning and development

Coaching and mentoring

Job summary

Frontline Group in the United Kingdom is seeking an Inventory Planning Assistant to maximise profitability through accurate forecasting and strategic stock allocation. You will work with stakeholders across the business to ensure products reach customers when demand is highest, reviewing performance and supporting sales forecasting and print planning.

The role emphasizes strong Excel and numeracy skills, with hybrid working and regular collaboration across teams to improve commercial outcomes.

Qualifications

• Strong Excel and numeracy skills are essential.
• Experience in media distribution, logistics, FMCG, or similar commercial environments is desirable.
• Ability to analyse, interpret data and support business decisions.

Responsibilities

• Allocate stock to retail outlets using in-house planning system to maximise availability and sales efficiency.
• Analyse sales trends and run supply scenarios to inform national supply recommendations.
• Manage title supply commitments and closures in line with production and distribution timelines.
• Support trade marketing activity, promotions and wholesale development opportunities.
• Track print volumes and investigate variances between recommended and final commitments.
• Conduct robust performance reviews, produce performance packs and contribute 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

Stakeholder management

Strong communication

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 of8 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