Job Overview
We're looking for an experienced and commercially minded Inventory Planning Manager to join our team. This is a key office-based role responsible for ensuring the right products are available at the right time while balancing stock investment, customer service, production requirements and supplier performance.
Working across both internationally sourced products and UK-manufactured goods, you'll develop and execute inventory strategies that optimise stock availability, minimise working capital and reduce inventory risk.
Duties
Inventory Planning
- Develop and manage inventory plans to achieve agreed service levels and stock holding targets.
- Generate replenishment plans for both imported and UK-manufactured products.
- Monitor stock availability and proactively manage potential shortages and excess inventory.
- Review and maintain inventory parameters, including minimum stock levels, reorder points and safety stock.
- Drive initiatives to reduce obsolete, slow-moving and excess stock.
Demand & Replenishment
- Analyse sales forecasts, historical demand and business trends to determine replenishment requirements.
- Raise purchase requisitions and planned orders in line with inventory plans.
- Monitor demand patterns and recommend adjustments to inventory levels.
- Support promotional activity, seasonal demand planning and new product launches.
- Work closely with Sales and Customer Service teams to respond to changing customer demand.
International Supply Planning
- Monitor inbound shipments from overseas suppliers and track deliveries through to the distribution centre.
- Account for supplier lead times, shipping schedules and customs clearance when planning inventory.
- Identify supply risks and recommend mitigation plans.
- Help minimise disruption caused by global supply chain challenges.
UK Manufacturing Support
- Collaborate with Production Planning to ensure material availability supports manufacturing schedules.
- Manage finished goods inventory in line with production capacity.
- Balance inventory investment with manufacturing efficiency.
- Support planning for new product introductions and product lifecycle changes.
Experience
- Experience in Inventory Planning, Supply Planning or Demand Planning.
- Knowledge of FE Order and Import procedures.
- Experience working with FE freight forwarders.
- Strong forecasting and demand planning skills.
- Experience managing stock investment and Open to Buy (OTB).
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Experience using both bespoke and commercial ERP/planning systems.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Key Competencies
- Commercial awareness.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to build relationships across all levels of the business.
- Strong decision-making skills and ability to take ownership.
- Excellent planning and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Analytical thinking with a proactive approach to problem solving.
- Strong influencing skills and the confidence to challenge and improve existing processes.
Pay: From £35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
