S&OP Manager

Butler Rose; Burnley; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Butler Rose is seeking an experienced S&OP / Demand Planning Manager in the UK. You will lead end-to-end demand planning, forecast across the business and own the S&OP cycle with a focus on data-led decision making.

You will work with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations and Supply Chain to improve forecast accuracy, optimise inventory and ensure product availability at the right time. A senior role with cross-functional exposure and career progression.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in S&OP, demand planning, forecasting or supply chain planning.
• Proven track record of improving forecast accuracy and inventory performance.
• Experience in manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading an S&OP process within a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience mentoring planning teams.
• Excellent Excel skills and ERP/planning systems experience.
• Commercially minded with understanding of wider business impact.
• Excellent communication and ability to challenge constructively.

Responsibilities

• Own and continuously improve the S&OP / IBP process, ensuring robust monthly planning cycles and effective cross-functional engagement.
• Lead the demand planning and forecasting process across the business.
• Develop and maintain statistical and commercial forecasts, balancing historical data with market intelligence and commercial inputs.
• Challenge forecast assumptions and improve forecast accuracy, bias and planning performance.
• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, Procurement and Supply Chain to identify risks and opportunities.
• Translate demand forecasts into clear supply requirements and highlight potential capacity, inventory and service issues.
• Develop and report on key planning KPIs, providing insight and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Drive improvements in inventory optimisation, availability and customer service levels.
• Identify trends, demand changes and potential supply risks, putting appropriate mitigation plans in place.
• Lead, coach and develop members of the demand planning team.
• Improve planning processes, systems, data quality and ways of working.
• Support longer-term business planning, scenario analysis and strategic decision-making.

Skills

Demand planning

S&OP

Forecasting

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Excel

ERP

Data analysis

Tools

ERP systems

Forecasting software

Planning tools

Excel

Job description

I am looking for an experienced S&OP / Demand Planning Manager to lead and develop the demand planning and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process for a growing and commercially focused business based in Burney, Lancashire.

This is a high-impact role where you’ll bring together commercial, supply chain, operations and finance teams to improve forecast accuracy, optimise inventory and ensure the business has the right products available at the right time.

You’ll take ownership of the end-to-end demand planning and S&OP cycle, providing clear insight and challenge to senior stakeholders and helping drive a more proactive, data-led approach to supply and demand.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own and continuously improve the S&OP / IBP process, ensuring robust monthly planning cycles and effective cross-functional engagement.
• Lead the demand planning and forecasting process across the business.
• Develop and maintain statistical and commercial forecasts, balancing historical data with market intelligence and commercial inputs.
• Challenge forecast assumptions and improve forecast accuracy, bias and planning performance.
• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, Procurement and Supply Chain to identify risks and opportunities.
• Translate demand forecasts into clear supply requirements and highlight potential capacity, inventory and service issues.
• Develop and report on key planning KPIs, providing insight and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Drive improvements in inventory optimisation, availability and customer service levels.
• Identify trends, demand changes and potential supply risks, putting appropriate mitigation plans in place.
• Lead, coach and develop members of the demand planning team.
• Improve planning processes, systems, data quality and ways of working.
• Support longer-term business planning, scenario analysis and strategic decision-making.

The ideal candidate will have the following skills, experience and attributes:

We’re looking for someone who combines strong technical demand planning expertise with the confidence and communication skills to influence stakeholders across the business.

You’ll ideally have:

• Significant experience in S&OP, demand planning, forecasting or supply chain planning.
• A proven track record of improving forecast accuracy, inventory performance and/or customer service.
• Experience working within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading an S&OP process within a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to turn data into actionable insight.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills at both operational and senior-management level.
• Experience managing, mentoring or developing a planning team.
• Strong Excel skills and experience working with ERP, planning or forecasting systems.
• A commercially minded approach and the ability to understand the wider business impact of planning decisions.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to challenge constructively.

In return, you will receive:

• A senior, high-profile role with genuine influence across the business.
• The opportunity to shape and develop the company's S&OP and demand planning capability.
• A collaborative environment with strong cross-functional exposure.
• Career development and progression opportunities.