Job Description
Job Title: Senior Supply Chain Manager
Location: Greater London, Hybrid - 2 days a week in the office
Salary: Up to £75,000 DOE
Industry: Beauty, Cosmetics & Personal Care
Employment: Full-Time, Permanent
About the Role:
We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Supply Chain Manager to oversee and optimize our clients end-to-end supply chain operations. This includes strategic planning across forecasting, procurement, inventory management, inbound logistics, and supplier relations. The successful candidate will play a critical role in financial planning, product lifecycle management, and driving continuous improvement across the supply chain. This position reports to senior leadership and manages a team of three direct reports.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic & Financial Planning (AOP & LE):
- Lead the preparation and delivery of Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and Latest Estimate (LE) files, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
- Contribute to financial planning through budget cycles and scenario analysis.
- Develop and present inventory and stock coverage forecasts to inform AOP and LE submissions
- Forecast Freight-In and Duty costs based on historical and market data.
- Prepare standard cost of goods (COG) roll-ups, reflecting product cost fluctuations.
- Manage and update obsolescence and waste provisions, including item-level analysis of aged, discontinued, QC stock and supplier liabilities.
Inventory Management & Product Lifecycle:
- Facilitate monthly Objectives Meetings to monitor KPIs and progress toward supply chain goals; flag key risks and escalate issues as needed.
- Oversee Manufacturing Forecast Capacity (MFC) analysis to align production needs with demand.
- Lead quarterly product discontinuation reviews, ensuring alignment with Sales and Operations on exit strategies.
- Maintain and optimize warehouse space through detailed pallet and logistics flow planning.
Demand Planning Oversight:
- Provide strategic leadership and governance over the demand planning process, ensuring alignment with operational capabilities and business objectives.
- Partner with Demand Planning, Sales, Marketing, and Finance teams to validate key forecast assumptions.
- Review and challenge demand forecasts, identifying risks and opportunities across key categories and customers.
- Actively contribute to the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process by supporting consensus-building and addressing supply-demand imbalances.
Change Management:
- Maintain high-level oversight of key changes including new product launches, supplier transitions, redesigns, and major listings that may affect inventory levels.
- Ensure seamless cross-functional collaboration to prepare for and implement upcoming changes.
Supplier Relationship Management:
- Own and manage relationships with suppliers, including regular performance reviews, issue resolution, price negotiation, and process improvement initiatives.
- Oversee supplier onboarding and manage supplier data within the Supplier Bible, ensuring accurate tracking of KPIs and liabilities.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Logistics, or a related field (Master’s degree is a plus).
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in supply chain management, including responsibilities for strategic planning, supplier oversight, and cost management.
- Professional certifications such as APICS CPIM/CSCP, CIPS, or Six Sigma are highly desirable.
Key Skills:
- Strong analytical and forecasting skills, with proficiency in Excel and ERP systems.
- Proven experience in financial operations, including budget planning and inventory/freight forecasting.
- Solid understanding of international freight, customs duties, and warehouse planning.
- Expertise in managing waste and obsolescence reduction strategies.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management capabilities