Network & Capacity Planning Manager

Pod Talent; Essex; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Pod Talent is seeking a Network Planning Manager to own network planning, capacity and inventory positioning across the group spanning the UK, Spain, US and Canada. The role reports into the Head of Operations and leads a small team to turn demand and sales forecasts into operational reality.

Based in Essex with 3 days on site and 2 from home, the position offers a clear path to Head of Operations or Director level as the business grows.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in high-volume, complex or multi-site operational environments.
• Grounding in DC operations, capacity management, network modelling and data analysis.
• Self-starter bringing fresh ideas and rigour to reporting and planning.
• Confident presenting recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Asks the right questions rather than making assumptions.
• Customs or compliance is not essential, but comfortable picking this up.

Responsibilities

• Leading network planning and optimisation across the group, including network modelling, territory planning and service area reviews
• Translating sales and demand forecasts into operational requirements across inbound, picking, dispatch, labour and productivity rates
• Owning capacity planning, monitoring utilisation and recommending action to address risk and constraints
• Determining inventory positioning across the network based on demand and shipping flows
• Building reporting, dashboards and performance metrics to track network and inventory performance
• Producing scenario planning and business cases to support strategic decisions and investment
• Supporting compliance, sustainability and day-to-day customs documentation across the network
• Partnering with Operations, Procurement, Sales, Finance and IT to deliver cross-functional improvements

Skills

High-volume operational environments

DC operations

Capacity management

Data analysis

Reporting and planning

Stakeholder presentation

Question-driven approach

Compliance awareness

Job description

Location – Essex (on the Elizabeth line, easy reach from London) – 3 days on site, 2 from home

Salary – Up to £75,000 + bonus

We're recruiting on behalf of a fast-growing, multi-site operational business for a Network Planning Manager to take ownership of network planning, capacity and inventory positioning across their group, spanning the UK, Spain, US and Canada.

This is a genuinely broad, group-level role reporting into the Head of Operations, with a small team of around 5, and real scope for progression into a Head of/Director level role as the business continues to grow. You'll be the one turning demand and sales forecasts into operational reality, working out where stock should sit, what capacity looks like across sites, and how to reduce cost to serve as volumes shift.

What you'll be doing as Network Planning Manager:

• Leading network planning and optimisation across the group, including network modelling, territory planning and service area reviews
• Translating sales and demand forecasts into operational requirements across inbound, picking, dispatch, labour and productivity rates
• Owning capacity planning, monitoring utilisation and recommending action to address risk and constraints
• Determining inventory positioning across the network based on demand and shipping flows
• Building reporting, dashboards and performance metrics to track network and inventory performance
• Producing scenario planning and business cases to support strategic decisions and investment
• Supporting compliance, sustainability and day-to-day customs documentation across the network
• Partnering with Operations, Procurement, Sales, Finance and IT to deliver cross-functional improvements

What you'll bring to the position of Network Planning Manager:

• Strong experience in high-volume, complex or multi-site operational environments; high value and fast-moving backgrounds would be particularly relevant
• Strong grounding in DC operations, capacity management, network modelling and data analysis
• A self-starter who brings fresh ideas and rigour to reporting and planning, rather than waiting to be told what's needed
• Articulate and confident presenting recommendations to senior stakeholders
• Someone who asks the right questions rather than making assumptions
• Customs or compliance specialism isn't essential, though comfort picking this up is important

Why this one's worth a look:

Current data and processes exist but haven't been properly structured or reported, so there's real scope to bring order and influence how the function is run from the ground up. With succession into the Head of Operations role genuinely on the table, this is a platform for someone ready to grow into broader senior leadership.

Whilst we aim to respond to every applicant, due to the high volume of applications this isn't always possible. If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of applying, please assume that your application has unfortunately been unsuccessful on this occasion.