Supply Chain Demand Planner

Booker Group plc; Royton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading logistics company in the United Kingdom is seeking a Supply Chain Demand Planner to manage inventory budgets and improve service by influencing suppliers and implementing innovative solutions. You will work in a collaborative role, engaging with internal and external stakeholders to ensure customer satisfaction through effective supply chain management. The ideal candidate has a degree, extensive supply chain knowledge, and data analysis skills, and will thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Strong data analysis skills and excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Analytical mindset with knowledge of supply chain systems in FMCG.
• Ability to influence at all levels in collaborative solutions delivery.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders for inventory budget delivery.
• Implement initiatives for improving forecast accuracy and supplier service.
• Accountability for customer promotions and menu change activity.

Skills

Data analysis skills

Strong communication skills

Influencing skills

Multi-tasking

Education

Degree level education

Minimum 2-3 years’ experience in supply chain

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a Supply Chain Demand Planner to join our team with a real can-do attitude who is passionate about delivering excellent customer service and willing to go the extra mile for our customers. The department is responsible for demand planning and stock replenishment that interfaces with customers, suppliers and all departments of Best Food Logistics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders; responsible for successful delivery of inventory budget (~£3m per week) and achievement of product availability target (~99.5%+ daily).
• Identify and implement initiatives that drive forecast accuracy, challenge and influence suppliers to improve service, responsiveness and efficiency.
• When issues arise, ensure they are dealt with appropriately, creating win-win scenarios and escalating to line manager/key stakeholders for support/resolution when needed.
• Maintain a balance of priorities and productivity between business goals and customer demands, focusing on operational efficiency (cost) and customer expectations.
• Ensure all business rules developed with the supplier of the Demand, Forecasting, Replenishment and Planning (DFRP) solution meet the goals of customers and the business, reducing risk of conflict and targeting areas for improvement within the supply chain.
• Deliver outlined forecast accuracy targets across all item classifications, reviewed against historical sales trends and other demand influencers, with excellent communication to customers and industry knowledge.
• Accountability for the successful delivery of customer promotions and menu change activity, leadership of various customer/supply chain projects/initiatives, and proactive support of wider business initiatives including supplier development, new contract introduction and migration opportunities.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with stakeholders internally and externally and support customers and the business through the generation, development and implementation of more effective and efficient ways of working; become a subject matter expert in Slim4 replenishment system, drive continuous improvement, develop and enhance one best way of working and lead training/development sessions for colleagues.
• Ensure customer needs are met through delivery of agreed targets (KPIs).
• Consider end-to-end and wider business context as part of supply chain decision making.
• Work collaboratively with National Account Managers to ensure appropriate decisions/actions regarding customer inventory (e.g., Delisted products and Held stock).

Working Hours: 40 hours per week over 5 days which may include some weekend work and public holidays on a rota basis.

Qualifications

• Analytical and inquisitive mindset with strong data analysis skills and excellent communication skills (both verbal and written).
• Excellent knowledge of supply chain systems and processes in a Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) environment.
• Ability to multi-task, remain calm and thrive in a fast-moving environment with awareness of leading-edge industry developments within the wider supply chain.
• Ability to influence at all levels, particularly regarding collaborative solutions delivery.
• Advanced Microsoft Office capability, particularly Microsoft Excel.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent, with a minimum of 2 to 3 years’ supply chain and replenishment experience and ability to demonstrate and apply industry best practice.
• Flexibility to work some weekends including bank/public holidays on a rota basis.

If you have answered yes to all the above and want to be part of the BEST team, then we may have the perfect role for you. Working within a dynamic supply chain team, you will deliver a great service to our customers through outstanding availability and inventory control with a consistent focus on proactive supply chain management in partnership with our customers, delivering commercial benefit through the supply chain.