Planning and Inventory Manager

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* {}Planning and Inventory ManagerLocation: Cheltenham, GloucestershireThe role:We are seeking a highly analytical and proactive Planning & Inventory Manager to take ownership of inventory health, portfolio planning, and future demand-to-capacity forecasting. This is a key role that ensures the right products are available at the right time, while balancing inventory investment, service levels, and operational performance. Working closely with Sales, Marketing, Technical, Operations, Procurement, and Manufacturing teams, you will play a pivotal role in driving planning excellence and supporting business growth.

Key responsibilities
Own inventory targets including safety stock, reorder points, and stock level optimisation across the product portfolio.
Monitor inventory performance, identifying excess, ageing, slow-moving, and at-risk stock while implementing corrective actions.
Manage replenishment plans and work with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve supply issues.
Analyse and report on key inventory and planning KPIs, providing insight-led recommendations to improve performance.
Maintain accurate product and planning master data, ensuring data integrity and compliance with inventory standards.
Support product lifecycle management, including new product introductions, phase-outs, and substitutions.
Develop and enhance demand forecasts using historical trends, statistical analysis, and business intelligence.
Translate forecasts into capacity and inventory plans, identifying risks and opportunities 2-18 months in advance.
Collaborate with manufacturing and suppliers on capacity planning to ensure customer demand can be met.
Participate in S&OP processes, aligning commercial demand with operational supply plans.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on inventory optimisation, planning capability, and operational excellence.
Act as a subject matter expert for inventory planning processes, systems, and best practice.
Your

skills:
Significant experience in inventory planning, replenishment, supply planning, or supply chain operations.
Strong experience of inventory optimisation and supplier performance management.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex datasets and identify actionable insights.
Advanced Excel skills and experience working with ERP systems and planning tools.
Proven ability to develop forecasts and convert data into effective inventory and capacity plans.
Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across multiple functions.
Experience driving operational improvements and continuous improvement initiatives.
High attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and governance.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, managing ambiguity, and proactively solving problems.
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Data Analytics, or a related discipline.
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and/or Project Management experience would be advantageous.
The Steam Thermal Solutions business is one of three businesses within Spirax Group. Spirax Sarco and Gestra, are our two brands that form Steam Thermal Solutions and are global leaders in the supply of engineered solutions for the design, provision and maintenance of efficient industrial and commercial steam systems. Steam Thermal Solutions has global coverage across 67 operating units (called OpCos), organised into four Divisions: EMEA, APAC, Americas, Gestra.
Spirax Group is a FTSE100 and FTSE4Good multi-national industrial engineering Group with expertise in the control and management of steam, electric thermal solutions, peristaltic pumping and associated fluid technologies.
Our Purpose is to create sustainable value for all our stakeholders as we engineer a more efficient, safer and sustainable world. Our technologies play an essential role in critical industrial processes and industrial equipment across industries as diverse as Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology, Power Generation, Semiconductors and Healthcare. With customers in 165 countries, we provide the solutions that sit behind the production of many items used in daily life, from baked beans to mobile phonesOur Purpose, supported by our inclusive culture and Values, unites us, guides our decisions and inspires us everywhere that we operate. We support our colleagues to make their difference for each other as well as customers, communities, suppliers, our planet and shareholders by creating a truly equitable working environment where everyone feels included.
BenefitsYou will receive a competitive salary (and a discretionary bonus), flexible working and excellent benefits including 27 days holiday allowance (before bank holidays), 3 days’ paid volunteering leave, comprehensive private healthcare, enhanced pension plan, life assurance, optional participation in a Share Ownership Plan, free onsite parking, flexible benefits, and access to a personal discounts’ portal. We