Supply Planning Assistant

Overview

As a member of the National Buying team, the Supply Planning Assistant will play a vital role in managing the supply chain relationships for ALDI’s milk category. This position requires close collaboration with key suppliers, Buying, and internal stakeholders (at different levels) to ensure excellent service, availability, and process efficiency for critical category.

Our buying teams – if it’s possible – have to move even quicker than the rest of the business. And they have to keep ahead of our customers too: second-guessing what they want and need before they do. You’ll get involved in every aspect of the buying lifecycle, from putting together tender documents and crunching numbers, to preparing samples and reviewing market data. The proposals start with you.

We do things our own way at Aldi. But whatever we’re doing, we must be getting it right. With a wave of impressive sales figures behind us, we’re opening new stores at lightning speed. And to keep on top of that wave, our buying teams have to do something pretty special to keep our customers coming back for more

Your New Role

• Oversee and manage the supply chain for direct-to-store and RDC milk & Cream deliveries, collaborating with Buying, Suppliers, Store Operations (including NSOC), Logistics, and RDCs to deliver on agreed timeframes and KPIs.
• Track daily fulfilment, late deliveries, order shorts/fails, and maintain up-to-date records and trackers for ongoing reference and operational analysis. This will be used to identify / resolve both short and long term challenges
• Prepare and distribute daily, weekly, and ad hoc availability reports (such as lates, fails, and trending issues). Present report findings to internal teams and the Buying Director for Milk & Cream.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for supplier communications including resolving day-to-day issues and escalating where necessary.
• Coordinate key event planning and manage availability for seasonal or high-volume demand periods.
• Organise and chair forecasting collaboration meetings, ensuring accurate information is communicated to all key stakeholders.
• Respond promptly to queries from Operational colleagues and other internal stakeholders, providing data driven answers and solutions.
• Participate in projects, working groups, and process improvement initiatives to maximise efficiency and service.
• Liaise with forecasting teams on the maintenance of sales forecast data being delivered to the supply base.
• Internal and external stakeholder engagement at multiple levels of business.
• Continuous improvement within role, simplifying processes and operations to maximise efficiencies

About you

• Confident and strong ability to communicate and challenge both in written and verbal forms.
• Able to build professional relationships with stakeholders at all levels both within and outside of the business.
• Ability to manage a varied workload, conflicting deadlines and multiple projects simultaneously.
• Organisational skills with the ability to identify and manage priorities with minimal input from Direct Leader.
• Innate curiosity; always striving to improve and simplify processes and ensure consistency wherever possible.
• Detail oriented and data driven.
• Ability to multi-task, be pro-active and work with own initiative, working both in a team and independently.
• Demonstrates high accountability and ownership; ensures data integrity and timely follow-up on actions
• Motivated by opportunities for continuous improvement and personal development.
• Flexible and resilient, able to manage shifting priorities and handle urgent issues as they arise.
• Demonstrate a keen understanding of Supply Chain Management and logistics
• Experience of working within a fast-paced environment
• Microsoft skills required (Advanced excel, word, PowerPoint)
• A good sense of urgency and adaptability under pressure
• Excellent at relationship building
• Strong organisation skills
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Confident communicator,
• Detail focused, excellent time management
• Excellent change management skills
• Confident working autonomously

Desirable

• Supply Chain Department experience
• Dairy sector knowledge
• Demonstrate ability to work collaboratively with external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate ability to design and implement solutions effectively.
• Forecasting knowledge
• Experienced in Logistics, Supply Chain and Supplier Management.

What you’ll get in return

• Salary starting at £36,625 rising to £42,770
• Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm, with the opportunity of remote working up to 2 days per week
• 5 weeks’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• In office flexi-time
• Full training provided
• Pension scheme
• Private employee medical insurance after 4 years
• Company sick pay scheme
• Company maternity, paternity and adoption pay after 1 year
• Long service rewards
• Access to MyBenefits, where you can find a wide range of benefits, including our bike to work scheme, shopping and cinema discounts, health cash plan, a FREE will, travel and discounted gym memberships, as well as a host of benefits to support your financial and wellbeing needs
• Access to a free,24/7, confidential virtual GP service for all Aldi Colleagues and their children (under the age of 16)

* You’ll need to live within 90 minutes of your main working location

Aldi is an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and are dedicated to promoting a culture of inclusion, providing an environment in which collaboration, respect and fairness are essential. We value diversity and are dedicated to treating all of our colleagues and prospective colleagues fairly and with respect.

If you’re looking for a career that gives you more, apply today!

*Please be aware that this role does not fulfil the requirements for visa sponsorship