Planning Manager

A leading Food Service company are looking for a Planning Manager to join their Trading Team.

Department: Business Operation
Reports to: Head of Business Operation

Job Purpose

Manage the planning team to deliver key KPIs for our client to delight customers and drive business profitability. This includes collaboration with operational teams to drive efficiency, achieve excellent service levels and reduce cost and complexity.

Full accountability for ensuring availability, effective capacity management with the right range in the right depot at the right time, while minimising costs and maximising customer satisfaction.

Responsible for delivering upward communication cascades and continuous improvement projects within the planning function, in collaboration with operations and sales teams, which minimise costs and maximise availability.

Management, development and succession planning of the planning team.

Scope

Our client’s Foodservice operations are national foodservice businesses worth a combined c. £300 million+ with ambitious growth plans.

Accountability for ensuring sufficient stock at 7 sites is procured from c. 450+ suppliers for c. 7000 SKUs across multi-temperature categories.

Line management responsibility for a team of c. 4 people and overall accountability for a team of c. 7.

Responsibility and accountability for departmental budget, company KPIs and service level achievement.

Scope

Our client is a national foodservice organisation worth c. £300m+ with ambitious growth plans.

Accountability for ensuring sufficient stock across 7 sites is procured from c. 450+ suppliers for c. 7,000 SKUs across multi-temperature categories.

Line management responsibility for a team of c. 3–4 people and overall accountability for a team of c. 8.

Responsibility and accountability for departmental budget, company KPIs and service level achievement.

Knowledge / Skills / Experience

Essential

Strong IT and administration skills, numeracy, and a good level of English.

Customer service focus with excellent communication, interpersonal, relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.

Action-oriented and solutions-focused, able to manage multiple priorities and deliver results on time.

Strong team player with attention to detail and effective problem-solving skills.

Experience establishing and leading a demand planning function across a large, multi-site, multi-temperature-controlled matrix organisation.

Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, managing complex challenges and multiple priorities.

Excellent project management skills, including delivery of multi-site alignment projects.

Proven experience delivering change initiatives and driving continuous improvement.

Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills.

Experience using Microsoft Office, including Power BI and advanced Excel.

Strong understanding of supply chain processes including procurement, inventory, logistics and distribution.

Knowledge of forecasting techniques, demand planning processes and inventory optimisation.

Experience implementing supply chain planning systems and developing SOPs and technical documentation.

Experience within a similar role in the food and drink industry.

Strong leadership capability, supported by structured development and/or CIPS qualifications.

Experience managing people across the full employee lifecycle.

Budget preparation, cost management and ERP system implementation experience.

Desirable

CIPS Level 5 or equivalent.

Experience coordinating inventory planning with transport and warehousing.

Previous operations or planning role experience.

Accountabilities

Lead the planning department in a positive, customer-focused and professional manner.

Recruit, train and develop the team, including succession planning.

Develop a diverse, inclusive and solutions-oriented culture through coaching and mentoring.

Act on employee and stakeholder feedback to improve engagement and performance.

Drive innovation and continuous improvement aligned to business strategy and budget.

Ensure the department delivers an excellent internal and external customer experience.

Ensure the planning strategy supports our client’s Foodservice divisions in delighting customers and driving profitability.

Design, implement and evolve the planning strategy to support operational and commercial objectives.

Introduce and lead a robust Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process.

Collaborate with senior leadership to shape and deliver planning strategy.

Lead continuous improvement initiatives to minimise cost and maximise availability.

Implement and manage systems to monitor performance, assess risk and respond to market changes.

Lead and mentor the planning team, fostering excellence, innovation and collaboration.

Implement and manage ERP systems to efficiently purchase goods from suppliers.

Deliver performance updates to the board and agree corrective actions where required.

Ensure KPI achievement and continuity of supply chain operations.

Analyse historical data and market trends to predict future demand.

Optimise inventory levels to balance service and cost.

Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, customers and internal stakeholders.

Ensure robust forecasting through collaboration with sales and customers.

Continuously review underwriting processes to manage business risk.

Identify and mitigate supply chain disruptions.

Ensure purchasing aligns with commercial targets and margin optimisation.

Conduct performance reviews and people management activities in line with policy.

Provide management cover during colleague absence when required.

Support ESG goals, food safety culture, cyber security standards, data integrity and regulatory compliance.

Promote health & safety best practice and report all incidents appropriately.

Key Performance Indicators

Stock availability %

Stock loss %

Stock days

Inbound supplier service level

Supplier fines

Forecast accuracy

Stock holding

Hub & Spoke

IDTs

Capacity

SKU count