Planning Manager

Creed Foodservice Ltd; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food service company in Cheltenham is seeking an experienced Planning Manager. This role involves leading the planning function, ensuring supply chain continuity, and managing a customer-focused team. Candidates should have a strong background in demand planning, supply chain processes, and advanced skills in Excel and Power BI. The position offers competitive salary up to £55,000 annually for a 40-hour work week, alongside opportunities for career development in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Benefits and career development opportunities

Supportive and inclusive environment

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading demand planning in a large, multi-site environment.
• Strong understanding of supply chain processes and inventory management.
• Excellent leadership and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning department positively and professionally.
• Recruit, train, and develop the planning team.
• Introduce and lead a Sales & Operational Planning (SOP) process.
• Monitor supplier performance and negotiate supply chain agreements.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and health standards.

Skills

Demand planning leadership

Supply chain processes

Forecasting techniques

Inventory optimisation

Advanced Excel

Power BI

Project management

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

About Creed

At Creed Foodservice, we believe a great workplace starts with great people. Our teams are at the heart of everything we do, bringing passion and expertise to deliver top-quality food products to chefs and caterers across the UK. As part of the Country Range Group, we’ve been making a difference in the food industry since 1972.

With distribution centres in Cheltenham, Ilkeston, and High Wycombe, we ensure reliable service nationwide. We’re proud to be a Living Wage accredited employer and were recognised as one of the Top 75 Best Companies to Work For in 2023. If you’re looking for a workplace that values its people and offers real opportunities to grow, Creed is the place to be!

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Planning Manager to lead our planning function and ensure supply chain continuity.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning department in a positive, customer-focused, and professional manner.
• Recruit, train, and develop the team for both new positions and succession planning.
• Introduce and lead a Sales & Operational Planning (SOP) process.
• Analyse historical data and market trends to forecast demand accurately.
• Ensure optimal inventory levels to meet customer needs while minimising stock holding costs.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, customers, and internal teams.
• Monitor supplier performance and negotiate supply chain agreements.
• Implement and manage systems and processes to monitor performance, assess risks, and respond to market changes.
• Deliver performance updates and plans to the board, including corrective actions where necessary.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, health & safety, and ESG standards.

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

• Proven experience establishing and leading a demand planning function in a large, multi-site, temperature-controlled environment.
• Strong understanding of supply chain processes, forecasting techniques, and inventory optimisation.
• Advanced Excel and Power BI skills; experience with ERP systems.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and project management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities and delivering results.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a solutions-focused mindset.
• FMCG or food & drink industry experience preferred.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a growing, innovative business with a customer-first culture.
• Opportunity to lead strategic projects and shape the future of planning.
• Competitive salary, benefits, and career development opportunities.
• A supportive, inclusive environment committed to continuous improvement and employee engagement.

Salary up to £55,000 per annum based on 40 hours per week