Supply Chain & Operations Manager (Planning)

Location: London

Company Background

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services in strategy and consulting, interactive, technology and operations, with digital capabilities across all of these services. We combine unmatched experience and specialised capabilities across more than 40 industries – powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centres.

As a team: Supply Chain & Operations is a major functionally-oriented strategy & consulting practice: we help our clients reimagine and transform tomorrow’s supply chains and operations to positively impact business, society, and the planet. We do this through a human-centred and data driven approach that encourages our people and clients to continuously innovate and generate significant, sustainable global impact.

In our team you will:

• Learn at the forefront of the industry, provide actionable insights to the world's top organisations, helping them address priority C-suite issues with strategies and improvements they can execute with speed and at scale.
• Work in a central role enabling our Planning capabilities in working with some of the best global companies in the world, responsible for helping the CSCO/COO, and their business partners, address some of the critical business issues faced today, including:
• Supply Chain Strategy & Segmentation (Operating Model, Process Design, etc.)
• Strategic Cost Reduction (Zero Based Supply Chain)
• Inventory Optimisation—Help clients refine inventory management by balancing service levels, lead times, and inventory costs using advanced planning tools and methodologies like IBP and MRP
• Control Towers—Implementation and optimisation of digital control towers to provide end-to-end supply chain visibility, enhancing responsiveness and decision-making through real-time data
• Platform-Driven Transformation (Technology Strategy, Systems Implementation, etc.)—Enable organizations to implement advanced planning platforms (e.g., SAP IBP, Oracle Cloud SCM, Kinaxis, BlueYonder, o9 Solutions, Anaplan) to automate and optimise planning processes
• Integrated Business Planning (IBP)—Help clients drive alignment across their sales, operations, and finance teams by deploying IBP solutions that improve collaboration, forecasting accuracy, and agility
• Advanced Analytics & AI—Utilise advanced analytics and AI-driven forecasting techniques to support predictive demand planning and scenario analysis, ensuring flexibility in rapidly changing market conditions
• Capacity Planning & Production Scheduling—Work with clients to optimise production scheduling and capacity planning, reducing bottlenecks and improving throughput in line with demand fluctuations
• End-to-End Operations Transformation (Prime Value Chains)
• Holistic transformation initiatives across the entire value chain, from procurement and production to distribution and customer service
• Operational excellence by implementing continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and process mining

In this role you will:

• Deliver key projects within the Supply Chain Planning group, ensuring alignment with customer-centric planning strategies.
• Manage the implementation of digital and analytics capabilities in supply chain operations, working with platforms such as SAP, Oracle, BlueYonder, Kinaxis, and O9 to drive efficiency and performance improvements.
• Drive the development and execution of planning frameworks by integrating advanced planning solutions (e.g., IBP, AI-driven demand forecasting) that enhance operational flexibility and responsiveness.
• Design supply chain transformations, supporting clients in aligning their capabilities (process/tools/people) with future operating models and business challenges.
• Analyse financial and operational data to support cost reduction programmes and utilise benchmarks and process definitions to optimise cost efficiency.
• Build and maintain relationships with key client stakeholders and Operations leadership.
• Collaborate in business development efforts by supporting the preparation of sales proposals and RFP responses, highlighting the value Accenture SC&O brings to clients.
• Lead and mentor junior team members, helping to develop their skills and capabilities while fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.

We are looking for experience in the following skills:

• Analyse client challenges, understand the financial performance links between operations, supply chain, and corporate results, and support the development of strategic business cases.
• Support the origination of new work and contribute to the sales process by assisting in proposal development and client engagement.
• Manage project delivery, overseeing the execution of medium to large-scale supply chain and operations initiatives.
• Maintain and foster strong client relationships, with a focus on mid-to-senior level stakeholders.
• Strong ability to think strategically and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver measurable business outcomes for clients.
• Capability to structure solutions, communicate clearly and effectively, and present findings to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to contribute to the development of new concepts and innovative solutions that address client needs.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with a proven ability to deliver compelling presentations.
• Lead and mentor project teams, ensuring high performance and effective collaboration.

Set yourself apart:

• 5-8 years consulting (or up to 10 years if no consulting background) experience including delivery to agreed scope, time scales and budgets from a top tier consulting company or blue-chip organisation.
• Functional experience should include some of the following: sales & operations planning, order management, inventory management, demand planning, supply planning, supply chain control tower, physical logistics, warehouse management system, warehouse automation / robotics, network modelling.
• Proven expertise in Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement, with formal Lean Six Sigma training (Green Belt, Black Belt, or higher) and a track record of driving measurable improvements in process efficiency, cost reduction, and performance optimisation.
• Supply chain technology and digital disruptor awareness, including but not limited to SAP, S4/IBP, BlueYonder, Kinaxis, o9, OMPartners, intelligent automation, Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain and analytics, etc.; other specific systems / applications relevant from previous experience.
• Experience working in one or more of Consumer Goods, Communications, Media & Entertainment, Energy, Utilities, Manufacturing, High-Tech (including Aerospace & Defence), Chemical & Natural Resources, Life Sciences and Logistics.

What’s in it for you

At Accenture in addition to a competitive basic salary and car allowance, you will also have an extensive benefits package which includes up to 30 days’ vacation per year, private medical insurance and 3 extra days leave per year for charitable work of your choice!

Flexibility and mobility are required to deliver this role as there will be requirements to spend time onsite with our clients and partners to enable delivery of the first-class services we are known for.