At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage stock planning, collaborate with teams, and ensure supply chain efficiency.
- Company: AO is a leading retailer in appliances and electricals, known for exceptional customer service.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, gym discounts, free breakfast, and enhanced family leave.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team, develop your skills, and make a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in demand planning, strong Excel skills, and excellent communication abilities required.
- Other info: Onsite role encourages creativity and collaboration; regular travel to Crewe warehouse needed.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Stock Planning Manager who is passionate about making an impact and ready to get stuck into the fast-paced world of supply and inventory planning. You will be collaborating with brilliant people across AO and beyond to help drive our strategic goals. This is your chance to gain hands-on experience in a key commercial function, build strong cross-functional relationships, and play a big part in how we deliver the right products to our customers—at the right time. You will work closely with our suppliers, warehouses, and internal teams, all while developing your own skills and making a real difference.
Our people are our superpower, and we are unstoppable when we are together! We want your ideas to flow, and what better way to make that happen than being based onsite, 5 days a week, where our culture fuels creativity, collaboration and growth.
Here’s What You Can Expect To Be Doing:
- You will take ownership of the stock plan for your category, using data to track performance and make informed decisions.
- Working closely with internal teams, suppliers, and our warehouse in Crewe, you will ensure we maintain strong supply chain efficiency and meet commercial targets.
- You will support and guide a small team of Demand Planners, providing insight and coaching to help them succeed.
- You will contribute to process improvement, manage supplier performance, and oversee purchase orders, rebates, and stock budgets to keep everything running smoothly and efficiently.
A Few Things About You:
- You have experience in demand and supply planning, with strong knowledge of forecasting and budget management.
- You are confident working with data and comfortable using Excel at an advanced level (experience with Power BI or Relex is a plus).
- You are a clear communicator who can present insights and recommendations to different audiences.
- You are highly organised, detail-focused, and able to manage your time and workload independently.
- You are flexible and able to adapt in a fast-moving environment.
- You are happy to travel to our Crewe warehouse on a regular basis to stay aligned with our operational teams.
A Bit About Us:
When it comes to appliances and electricals, we have the lot. We are known for helping our customers brilliantly - and it’s no different for AOers. We care about more than what’s on your CV, because together we can do extraordinary things.
Our benefits are designed to cover the moments that matter to AOers:
- Holidays: 25 days, plus bank holidays (increasing to 27 days after 2 years with us!)
- Pension: Contribute 5% of your annual salary and we will do the same, giving you a little extra support for the future.
- Health & wellbeing: discounted gym membership, an onsite spa and our Help @ Hand scheme giving you access to virtual GPs, Mental Health support and much more.
- Discounts: exclusive discounts across our product range.
- Family leave: Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption leave.
- Making a difference: 2 fully paid days a year to donate your time to any charity of your choice.
- On site perks: start your day with free on site parking, grabbing a complimentary breakfast and a coffee at our subsidised Starbucks!
To see all our benefits and perks, visit our AO Benefits page.
Stock Planning Category Manager employer: AO.com
Contact Detail:
AO.com Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Stock Planning Category Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in supply chain management and stock planning. This will not only help you understand the role better but also allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews, showcasing your passion and knowledge.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the industry, especially those who work in stock planning or supply chain roles. Attend relevant events or join online forums to connect with others and gain insights that could give you an edge in your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your Excel skills, particularly advanced functions and data analysis techniques. Being able to demonstrate your proficiency in data handling during discussions can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed stock or improved supply chain processes in the past. Real-life scenarios can illustrate your capabilities and show how you can contribute to our team at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Stock Planning Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in demand and supply planning. Emphasise your skills in data analysis, forecasting, and budget management, as these are crucial for the Stock Planning Category Manager role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for supply chain efficiency and how you can contribute to AO's strategic goals. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed stock plans or improved processes in previous roles.
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since the role requires advanced Excel skills and familiarity with tools like Power BI or Relex, be sure to mention any relevant experience you have with these tools. Consider including a brief example of how you've used data to drive decisions in past positions.
Prepare for Interviews: If you get called for an interview, be ready to discuss your approach to managing supplier performance and coaching team members. Think about how you can demonstrate your clear communication skills and ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at AO.com
✨Show Your Passion for Supply Chain
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for supply and inventory planning during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've made an impact in previous roles, and demonstrate your understanding of the importance of efficient stock management.
✨Demonstrate Data Proficiency
Since the role requires strong data skills, be prepared to discuss your experience with Excel and any other relevant tools like Power BI or Relex. You might even want to bring along a sample analysis or report to showcase your capabilities.
✨Communicate Clearly
As a Stock Planning Category Manager, you'll need to present insights to various audiences. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, and consider preparing a few key points or insights that you can share during the interview.
✨Highlight Team Collaboration
This role involves working closely with suppliers and internal teams, so be ready to discuss your experience in cross-functional collaboration. Share examples of how you've successfully worked with others to achieve common goals, and emphasise your ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment.