Current jobs related to Supply Chain Planning Manager - Wheathampstead - IBC Simply

We have been creating and supplying quality beverage and dessert focussed products to the food service industry for over 25 years. We pride ourselves in being experts and innovators in flavour, providing best in class products and service across the business.

IBC is a family run business, and part of the Delightful Food Group. Our passion for quality and innovation, and commitment to excellence, has made us a trusted partner to many businesses across the UK and you will find our products across the UK and internationally, from multi-site coffee shops to retail cafes.

We are seeking a driven and detail-oriented Supply Chain Planning Manager to join our Head Office team in Wheathampstead. This role is integral to ensuring smooth operations, from production planning to supplier management, allowing us to maintain our high standards of service and product delivery.

What will I be responsible for?

• Oversee and manage the day-to-day production planning process to ensure the business can meet customer demand while maintaining optimal resource utilisation.
• Create robust production schedules that align with both short-term and long-term business objectives, ensuring flexibility to accommodate fluctuations in demand.
• Collaborate closely with the factory planning teams to align production capabilities with order volumes and lead times, minimising production bottlenecks and delays.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive forecasting strategy to improve demand accuracy and minimise the risk of stock shortages or overproduction.
• Work closely with the sales team to ensure forecasts from customers are collected, analysed, and fed into the production planning process. Regularly communicate with customers through the sales team to identify upcoming product needs, seasonal trends, and potential changes in demand. Implement forecasting tools and software, or work with existing systems, to monitor customer trends, historical sales data, and market dynamics that can influence demand patterns.
• Use customer and sales insights to proactively adjust production schedules, ensuring that product availability matches forecasted demand, preventing loss of sales due to stockouts.
• Analyse historical sales data and use predictive analytics to anticipate trends, proactively adjusting production plans to mitigate risk and seize opportunities for increased sales.
• Report regularly on forecast accuracy, production efficiency, and stock levels to senior management, ensuring the business has full visibility into potential risks and opportunities within the production cycle.
• Use data analysis to spot inconsistencies or gaps in customer forecasting, working with relevant teams to improve forecast quality and reliability.
• Implement best practices and tools to refine the production and forecasting process, improving accuracy and responsiveness to changing market conditions.
• Continuously review and update forecasting models to reflect changes in customer behaviour, product mix, and market conditions, ensuring a dynamic and responsive production strategy.
• Order raw materials and ensure timely delivery to the factory, while managing supplier relationships and holding them accountable.
• Act as the first point of contact for supplier queries and issues, ensuring prompt resolution and communication.
• Lead procurement efforts, sourcing new suppliers and materials, and negotiating cost improvements for existing raw materials.
• Analyse supply chain data to identify trends, anticipate issues, and proactively implement solutions.
• Develop and implement KPIs to measure supplier performance, streamline procurement processes, and improve cost efficiency.
• Report regularly to senior management on key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring clear visibility of supply chain performance.
• Work closely with the Operations Director in setting up and onboarding new systems, continuously improving supply chain processes.
• Collaborate with the warehouse and factory planning teams to maintain efficient stock control and minimise waste.
• Liaise with key departments including Technical, New Product Development (NPD), Marketing, Sales, Finance, Customer Service, and Warehouse to ensure seamless coordination across the supply chain.

What are you looking for in the ideal candidate?

Experience:

• Proven experience in supply chain management, production planning, procurement, or a related field, ideally within the food service or FMCG industry.
• Strong track record of managing supplier relationships, negotiating costs, and improving procurement processes.
• Experience with data analysis, KPI development, and reporting to senior management.

Skills:

• Exceptional organisational and multitasking skills, with the ability to manage multiple suppliers and production schedules simultaneously.
• Strong analytical skills, with a proactive approach to identifying and solving supply chain issues before they arise.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively liaise with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Competence in supply chain management software and ERP systems (experience with system implementation is a plus).

Mindset:

• A self-starter with a passion for continuous improvement and the drive to take ownership of new projects.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a range of departments and stakeholders.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to have a significant impact on a key area of the business and shape procurement processes from the ground up.
• A supportive, family-run business environment with a focus on innovation, quality, and personal growth.
• Be part of a trusted company with a strong reputation, supplying leading businesses across the UK and internationally.

Reporting to:

Operations Director

Hours of Work:

Monday – Friday: 8:30am to 5:00pm

Salary:

£40,000 to £50,000

Benefits:

• 23 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (3 days to be used between Christmas and New Year) – increasing to 25 days (3 years service), 28 days (5 years service) and 30 days (10 years service)
• Half-day leave on your birthday
• Access to discount website, PerkBox, where you’ll receive flexi points every month, which you can use towards lots of benefits / discounts including cinema tickets, shopping vouchers such as Amazon, high street and online stores and brands, café and restaurants and multiple other shopping discounts.
• As part of PerkBox, you will get free access to a 24/7 confidential support line. You can speak to them about anything at all, from stress and anxiety to home issues and financial trouble. It is entirely confidential and available to you 24/7.
• Staff discount on our products
• Free parking
• Unlimited tea and coffee, plus regular taste-testing of our products
• Bi-annual work socials and Christmas party
• Government pensions scheme

Once you’ve successfully passed your probation period, you will also have access to the following benefits:

• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity/Adoption leave after 2 years of continuous service
• Death in Service

Location: Wheathampstead, St. Albans, Hertfordshire