At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in transforming materials planning across EMEA for a global drinks leader.
- Company: Join a fast-growing FMCG company with iconic brands and a presence in 90 countries.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and the chance to shape the future of materials planning.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to drive change in a rapidly evolving industry.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a senior role with high visibility and influence on innovation.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in materials planning, expertise in SAP, and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
We're partnering with a global leader in the drinks category on a search for a Materials Planning Director. This is a business with a huge growth trajectory, category-leading brands, and a footprint spanning close to 90 countries across EMEA. If you want a role where the scale, the pace and the impact are all genuinely senior, this is it.
The role involves leading a team of around 17, including three Senior Managers, two Long Term Planners and twelve Raw Material Planners across the UK and South Africa. You'll own all aspects of Raw Materials planning across EMEA, including ingredients, kits and cans, with real spend and real P&L impact.
You will be the driving force behind a transformation of Materials Planning systems and processes, working hand in hand with SAP and analytics to lift execution standards across the function. You will also sit at the centre of New Product Development, ensuring long lead time ingredients and can supply are planned proactively so nothing holds up the innovation pipeline.
What you'll be doing:
- Owning EMEA Raw Materials planning end to end, driving a 98% casefill target and a step change in On Time In Full performance.
- Partnering with Procurement on Supplier Relationship Management, SLAs and supplier performance across a wide network of raw material suppliers, co-packers and contract fillers.
- Leading the transformation of SAP MRP and Materials Planning analytics, with dotted line oversight of the SAP MM analyst.
- Setting inventory targets and minimising obsolescence through smart, proactive management of ageing stock.
- Representing the team through the Integrated Business Planning cycle and co-leading S&OP governance.
- Coaching, developing and performance managing a team of senior managers and planners, building genuine bench strength.
- Acting as the escalation point for Materials matters across the business.
What we're looking for:
- Proven materials planning leadership experience, ideally within EMEA.
- Deep expertise in SAP, MRP and PO lifecycle processes.
- A track record of leading and developing senior managers, not just planners.
- Strong commercial and analytical instincts, comfortable operating and influencing at a strategic level.
- Someone who can bring structure to complexity without losing pace.
- Resilient, hands on and genuinely energised by solving problems at scale.
This is a rare opportunity to lead materials planning for one of the fastest growing categories in FMCG, with real license to shape the function's future.
Raw Materials Director in London employer: Advocate Group
Advocate Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As an Italian-Speaking National Account Manager, you will benefit from excellent career development opportunities while working in a hybrid role that allows for flexibility. Located in a vibrant market, the company prioritises employee growth and provides a platform for meaningful contributions to the success of the Amazon account.
