Planning Lead (Belfast)

Join Our Team at Sysco - Exciting Opportunities Await. At Sysco, our success is powered by passionate, dedicated people who go above and beyond to deliver every day. We deliver opportunities to our colleagues ensuring that we can all thrive in work and beyond. We deliver the potential of food and drink to our customers, supporting thousands of cafes, restaurants and bars to thrive every day. We deliver new thinking, technology and talent to our industry. We deliver support and commitment to our communities, making a lasting impact.

We are expanding our presence in Northern Ireland with the opening of our brand-new, state-of-the-art Sysco Belfast facility at Nutts Corner, Co. Antrim. This is a transformational step for our business in Northern Ireland, bringing enhanced capacity, efficiency, and career growth opportunities. We are looking for talented individuals to join us on this exciting journey. New team members will initially be based at our Lisburn Depot on Hillhall Road, before relocating to our cutting-edge Belfast facility later this year.

We are seeking passionate, ambitious, and driven individuals who want to be part of a team shaping the future of foodservice across the island of Ireland. Whether you are an experienced professional or looking for your next challenge, now is the perfect time to join us. As part of our recipe for growth, we are looking for a Planning Lead to join our team, in our new Belfast facility. This role will play a key part in the overall growth of the organisation along with helping to maintain our core ethos here at Sysco - keeping the customer at the heart of everything we do.

As Planning Lead, you will be responsible for leading and training a team of demand planners and coordinating the demand planning process to ensure accurate forecasting and effective inventory management. Your role will involve managing a reduced planning diary, driving best practice, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and developing demand plans to optimise customer satisfaction and minimise supply chain disruptions. This position requires strong leadership, analytical skills, and expertise in demand planning within the foodservice industry.

The role requires a candidate who will be:

• Analytical
• Self-motivated and results driven
• Eager to expand Knowledge and Skills

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead a team of demand planners, providing guidance, support, and coaching to drive individual and team success.
• Collaborate closely with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams to gather inputs, align strategies, and incorporate market intelligence into demand plans.
• Build strong, positive cross-functional relationships to drive process improvement initiatives.
• Effectively monitor and provide analysis of relevant metrics on various reports and take corrective action where appropriate.
• Assist in managing inventory levels, forecasting demand, and implementing strategies to optimise stock levels, minimize waste, and avoid lost sales.
• Collaborate with Merchandising Team and Suppliers to gather their input on demand planning, coordinate lead times, and manage supplier performance related to demand fulfilment.
• Create an inclusive, engaged, and collaborative culture where the role of each team member in the contribution to the organisational goals is understood.

Requirements:

• Strong BT Skills and systems knowledge - AX and Excel experience essential.
• Knowledge of demand planning principles, forecasting techniques, and inventory management concepts.
• Detail-orientated with strong analytical and math skills.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build and maintain strong working relationships.
• Flexible, innovative, and creative in their approach to business activities.
• The ability to analyse and resolve problems effectively and efficiently.
• Travel to other sites will be required.

Sysco Ireland Culture:

• Customer Focus: We deeply understand our customers' needs, continuously looking at ways to deliver real value.
• Building Relationships: We foster strong, effective relationships across teams, always working together. We embrace change and support each other through it.
• Clear Communication: We communicate clearly and effectively, ensuring our message resonates.
• A Passion for Food: We source and deliver food and drink that inspires excellence and creativity in kitchens for the most memorable dining experiences.

The accountabilities and requirements outlined in this job description are neither definitive nor restrictive and may change in detail from time-to-time to meet the changing needs of the business.