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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage Supply and Demand Planning teams to optimise operations.
- Company: Join En Route International, a global leader in premium food supply for the travel industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role with opportunities for remote work and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving innovation in supply chain management.
- Qualifications: Degree preferred; experience in Demand & Supply Planning and ERP systems required.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence key business processes and develop leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Description
Location: Windsor, UK
Job Type: Fulltime, Permanent
Company overview
En Route International operates globally as part of dnata, one of the world’s largest combined air services providers. With offices in the UK, USA, Australia and UAE, En Route supplies premium baked goods, meals and snacks to the travel industry. We focus on partnering with world-class manufacturers, customising products and packaging to suit individual customer needs while managing a complex supply chain with the highest levels of precision.
Job purpose
Reporting to the Director, Supply Chain, the Head of Planning will be responsible for managing the UK/EU Supply Planning and Global Demand Planning teams. The scope of this role includes the development & leadership of all processes covering demand planning, distribution planning (DRP), inventory strategy & policy and capacity planning (both short term & long term). This person will also play a key role in ongoing maturity development of the business’s S&OP/IBP processes and will lead/facilitate the formal Supply Review meeting for the relevant regions. Planning engagement and support with wider business critical operational/supply resources is also in scope.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the Supply Planning teams in UK and remotely where appropriate, driving performance to meet and exceed relevant KPI targets
- Manage the Demand Planning team, supporting the development of global Demand Planning processes
- Accountable for all Supply Planning (S&OP/IBP) processes aligning the business to deliver the demand plan
- Informing and advising senior management on the future outlook for supply, highlighting issues, risks and opportunities.
- Responsible for the leadership and development of the relevant Demand & Supply Planning Managers and their teams
- Leading the team to develop and execute effective Supply Plans, including all distribution planning activity including the end to end DRP (Distribution Requirements Plan)
- Responsible for liaising with Product Management teams to support end to end integrated planning and engendering an integrated planning approach with Demand & Supply Planning teams
- Continually challenging the planning processes and principles in line with providing the best service and value for our customers
- Analyse and report on all key Supply performance statistics and trends
- Drive weekly root cause analysis to understand and resolve issues
- Maintain stock strategy & stock/batch level settings across all materials in the network, minimising stock write off risk as well as optimising working capital performance
- Engage closely with the Procurement function in order to initiate Supplier Development activities where required
- Responsible for maintaining the Supply Planning system, providing supply plan projections at various levels of aggregation, modelling alternative supply scenarios and cost implications
- Manage the lifecycle management process for all products
- Take the initiative to identify ways to increase throughput and improve flow throughout the operation
- Define and provide the KPIs to inform on the ‘end to end’ health of the overall Supply Planning process
- Ensure all processes and procedures are both documented and measured for performance, with clear accountabilities in place
Person Specification
Knowledge and skills
- Demonstrable Leadership skills, including management of remote teams
- A technical expert who is adept at building, working with, and through the team
- Significant experience of Demand & Supply Planning, planning techniques and Supply Chain strategy
- Experience in a manufacturing/distribution environment
- Experienced in the use of using ERP systems as part of driving data driven decision making
- Experienced in the use of automated planning tools
- End to End Supply chain knowledge is desirable
Specific aptitudes / skills
- Educated to Degree level preferred
Head of Planning employer: En Route International
Contact Detail:
En Route International Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Planning
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in supply chain management and demand planning. Understanding current methodologies and tools will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying ahead in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the industry, especially those who have experience in demand and supply planning roles. Engaging with them on platforms like LinkedIn can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams and improved planning processes in your previous roles. Being able to articulate your leadership style and successes will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Research En Route International and its parent company, dnata, to understand their operations and values. Tailoring your discussions around how your skills align with their mission can make a strong impression during interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Planning
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in demand and supply planning, leadership skills, and any specific achievements that align with the responsibilities of the Head of Planning role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also demonstrates your understanding of En Route International's operations and how you can contribute to their supply chain success.
Highlight Leadership Experience: Emphasise your leadership skills and experience managing remote teams. Provide examples of how you've driven performance and met KPIs in previous roles.
Showcase Technical Expertise: Detail your experience with ERP systems and automated planning tools. Mention any specific methodologies or techniques you've used in demand and supply planning that could benefit the company.
How to prepare for a job interview at En Route International
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As the Head of Planning, you'll be leading teams, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams, especially in remote settings, and discuss your approach to motivating and developing team members.
✨Understand Supply Chain Dynamics
Familiarise yourself with the intricacies of supply chain management, particularly in demand and supply planning. Be ready to discuss your experience with S&OP/IBP processes and how you've improved these in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about ERP systems and automated planning tools. Brush up on your technical knowledge and be prepared to explain how you've used these tools to drive data-driven decision-making in your past roles.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
The role involves analysing performance statistics and resolving issues. Prepare to discuss specific challenges you've faced in supply planning and how you approached root cause analysis to find effective solutions.
