At a Glance
- Tasks: Own and optimise supply chain plans for a well-known brand in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join a leading food business with a strong focus on innovation and teamwork.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on inventory planning and drive performance across popular brands.
- Qualifications: Experience in supply chain or inventory planning, with strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with exposure to international supply chains and continuous improvement opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 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)
- 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
Supply Chain Planner in St 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 St 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 lookout 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 involves a lot of data analysis, brush up on your Excel techniques. Consider creating sample inventory reports or forecasts to showcase your analytical prowess during interviews.
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how you would handle supply chain challenges or inventory discrepancies. Use real-life examples from your experience to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and analytical mindset.
β¨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. It shows initiative and enthusiasm, which are key traits we look for in a Supply Chain Planner.
We think you need these skills to ace Supply Chain Planner in St 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 analytical skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role is all about data-driven planning, donβt shy away from showcasing your analytical prowess. Include specific examples of how you've used data to make decisions or improve processes in your previous roles.
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 experiences and achievements. We appreciate straightforward communication!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, youβll find all the details you need about the role there!
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 key metrics such as stock cover, availability, and forecast accuracy. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics in past roles to drive performance.
β¨Master Excel and ERP Systems
Since this role involves heavy use of Excel and possibly SAP, make sure you're comfortable with both. Prepare to showcase your skills by discussing specific examples where you've used Excel for inventory optimisation or reporting. If you have experience with ERP systems, highlight that too!
β¨Cross-Functional Collaboration
This position requires working closely with Demand Planning, Supply Planning, and Finance teams. Think of examples from your previous jobs where you successfully collaborated across departments. Be ready to explain how you navigated challenges and aligned goals.
β¨Stay Ahead of Trends
The FMCG sector is fast-paced and ever-changing. Research current trends in supply chain management and be prepared to discuss how they might impact the role. Showing that you're proactive about industry developments will impress your interviewers.