Supply Chain Controller

The Advocate Group; Welwyn Garden City; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Advocate Group seeks a commercially minded Supply Chain Controller in a fast-paced FMCG environment. You will own product availability, inventory management and supplier coordination to meet customer demand efficiently.

You will manage end-to-end planning for a product portfolio, balancing service levels with inventory targets and cost efficiency, while collaborating with internal teams and external warehouses.

Qualifications

• Experience in supply chain, planning or inventory management in FMCG.
• Understanding of stock control, forecasting, purchasing and availability.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and purchase orders.
• Exposure to import operations or freight forwarding is advantageous.
• Strong Excel and data reporting skills.
• SAP and MR P experience is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Maintain product availability across internal and third-party warehouses.
• Manage monthly and weekly planning cycles, reviewing forecasts and stock requirements.
• Raise and confirm purchase orders, liaise with suppliers to ensure timely deliveries.
• Analyse sales performance against forecasts and improve forecast accuracy.
• Monitor stock across multiple locations and manage transfers.
• Coordinate import documentation and logistics with freight forwarders.
• Communicate availability and potential risks to sales, operations and finance.
• Identify alternative suppliers to protect continuity of supply.

Skills

Stock control

Forecasting

Purchasing

Supplier management

Excel

SAP & MRP

Communication

Analytical skills

Tools

SAP

MRP

ERP systems

Job description

Are you an organised, commercially minded Supply Chain professional who thrives in a fast-paced FMCG environment?

This is a great opportunity to join an established food business, taking ownership of product availability, inventory management and supplier coordination to ensure customer demand is met efficiently.

Working closely with internal teams, suppliers and external warehouse partners, you'll play a key role in keeping products moving, maintaining optimal stock levels and ensuring the business can respond to changing customer requirements.

The Role:

As Supply Chain Controller, you'll manage the end-to-end planning and availability of an assigned product portfolio, balancing customer service levels with inventory targets and cost efficiency.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Stock & Inventory Management: Maintain product availability across internal and third-party warehouses, balancing stock levels against customer demand and agreed targets.
• Supply & Demand Plnning: Manage monthly and weekly planning cycles, reviewing forecasts, historical sales and stock requirements to ensure effective purchasing decisions.
• Supplier & Purchase Order Management: Raise and confirm purchase orders, monitor outstanding orders and liaise with suppliers to ensure deliveries remain on track.
• Forecasting & Analysis: Analyse sales performance against forecasts, identify variances and work with commercial teams to improve forecast accuracy and inventory planning.
• Warehouse Coordination: Monitor stock across multiple locations, manage stock transfers and address issues relating to ageing, short-dated or excess inventory.
• Import & Logistics: Coordinate import documentation, permits and relevant paperwork, working with freight forwarders and suppliers to minimise delays and additional costs.
• Stakeholder Management: Communicate product availability, supply issues and potential risks to sales, operations, finance and other relevant teams.
• Continuous Improvement: Support the identification of alternative suppliers where required, helping to protect continuity of supply and minimise risk.

About You:

We're looking for someone with a hands-on approach to supply chain management, strong analytical skills and the ability to stay organised when priorities change.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Previous experience in supply chain, supply planning or inventory management, ideally within an FMCG environment.
• A good understanding of stock control, forecasting, purchasing and product availability.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and coordinating purchase orders.
• Exposure to import operations, container shipments or freight forwarding would be advantageous.
• Strong Excel skills and confidence working with data, stock reports and planning systems.
• SAP and MRP experience would be beneficial.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, with the confidence to work across multiple teams.
• A proactive, detail-oriented approach and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.