At a Glance
- Tasks: Own and optimise supply chain plans for a well-known food brand.
- Company: Join a leading food business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a fast-paced FMCG setting while working with data and analytics.
- Qualifications: Experience in supply chain planning and strong Excel skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with opportunities for continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 Β£ per year.
Are you an analytically driven Supply Chain Planner with a strong inventory planning background, looking to take ownership of end-to-end planning within a fast-paced FMCG or retail environment? This is an opportunity to join a well-established food business where effective inventory and supply chain planning are critical to driving availability, accuracy, and performance across a portfolio of well-known brands.
Each brand within the portfolio is supported by a dedicated planner, working closely with Demand Planning, Supply Planning, and wider Supply Chain teams to deliver robust, data-driven plans that balance service, cost, and working capital.
The Role: Reporting into the Supply Chain function, the Supply Chain Planner will sit within a specialist planning team and take ownership of planning activities for a defined brand within the wider portfolio. This is a planning-led, analytical role with a strong inventory focus centred on forecast alignment, inventory optimisation, and performance reporting, rather than warehouse execution or physical stock control.
You will work cross-functionally with Demand Planning, Supply Planning, and Finance teams to validate forecasts, challenge assumptions, identify risks, and build end-to-end plans that balance service levels, working capital, and operational constraints. This role is well suited to someone from an FMCG or retail planning background who enjoys working with data, forecasts, and Excel-based analysis in a dynamic, fast-moving environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own and maintain end-to-end supply chain and inventory plans for an assigned brand
- Partner with Demand and Supply Planners to validate forecasts, identify gaps, and align supply plans
- Analyse inventory performance across multiple SKUs, identifying risks relating to shortages, excess, and slow-moving stock
- Produce and maintain planning and inventory reports, primarily using Excel
- Track and report key KPIs including stock cover, availability, forecast accuracy, and inventory health
- Use ERP systems (SAP preferred) to support planning activity, stock visibility, and data integrity
- Support inventory reconciliation, variance analysis, and root-cause investigations alongside Supply Chain and Finance
- Contribute to purchase planning and replenishment decisions, considering lead times, constraints, and service targets
- Support continuous improvement across planning processes, reporting, and inventory accuracy
- Exposure to imports/exports or international supply flows is highly advantageous
What Weβre Looking For:
- Experience in a Supply Chain Planner, Inventory Planner, Supply Planner, or Planning Analyst role within FMCG or retail
- Strong understanding of supply chain and inventory planning principles
- ERP experience (SAP preferred, but not essential)
- Advanced Excel capability (pivot tables, lookups, formulas, scenario analysis)
- Highly analytical with strong attention to detail
- Confident communicator, able to work cross-functionally with Planning, Supply Chain, and Finance
- Exposure to international supply chains or imports/exports is a plus
Interested? Click βApplyβ or email your CV to Nathan.collinson@advocate-group.co.uk. The Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner to the FMCG and consumer product sectors. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.
By applying for this role, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy, which can be found on our website. The Advocate Group is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.
Supply Chain Planner in Saint Albans employer: Advocate Group
Contact Detail:
Advocate Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Supply Chain Planner in Saint Albans
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the FMCG and retail sectors. Let them know you're on the hunt for a Supply Chain Planner role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
β¨Tip Number 2
Get your Excel skills sharp! Since this role is all about data-driven planning, brush up on your advanced Excel techniques. Create some sample reports or analyses to showcase your skills during interviews. Trust us, itβll make you stand out!
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how you would handle inventory challenges or validate forecasts. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident and ready to impress the hiring team.
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Supply Chain Planner in Saint Albans
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Supply Chain Planner role. Highlight your experience in inventory planning and any relevant skills, especially those related to data analysis and Excel. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Show Off Your Analytical Skills: Since this role is all about being analytically driven, donβt shy away from showcasing your analytical skills. Include specific examples of how you've used data to make decisions or improve processes in your previous roles. We love numbers and insights!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your experience and achievements. We appreciate a straightforward approach that gets to the point!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, itβs super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Advocate Group
β¨Know Your Numbers
As a Supply Chain Planner, you'll be expected to handle data and analytics like a pro. Brush up on your Excel skills, especially pivot tables and formulas, so you can confidently discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in your previous roles.
β¨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with the companyβs brands and their supply chain processes. Being able to discuss how your planning experience aligns with their specific needs will show that you're not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely understands their business.
β¨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical supply chain issues. Think about past experiences where you identified risks or optimised inventory. Prepare clear examples that highlight your analytical skills and decision-making process.
β¨Communicate Effectively
Since this role involves cross-functional collaboration, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Be ready to explain complex concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to work closely with teams from Demand Planning to Finance.