Supply & Demand Manager in Chester

As a member of the UK Management Team, with overall responsibility for the Planning, Supply and Demand function within the UK Metal Beverage Division, reporting directly to the General Manager. The role leads a team with a strong emphasis on collaboration, accountability, and ethical leadership, working effectively with both internal and external stakeholders. The team supports a broad portfolio of Can and End beverage customers, managing demand requirements or approximately 5.5-6 billion cans and ends within a high volume, fast moving FMCG environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead long-term (monthly) demand forecasting and stock projection analysis, ensuring accurate communication to UK customers via approved planning systems.
• Own short-term (weekly) demand planning using customer- and size-specific planning tools.
• Coordinate campaign planning in close collaboration with UK manufacturing plants and operational teams.
• Manage performance through defined objectives, roadmaps, and KPIs, including stock coverage, forecast accuracy, slow-moving and obsolete stock, right-first-time performance, speed to market, cost‑benefit analysis, and customer revenue impact.
• Ensure alignment with annual, 3‑year, and 5‑year business plans, translating strategic goals into operational KPIs.
• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of transport and warehouse operations.
• Align supply and demand plans through the Weekly Logistics Review process to ensure seamless execution across the supply chain.
• Lead, coach, and develop direct and indirect reports, fostering a high-performance and collaborative team culture.
• Act as a key interface between Supply & Demand, Commercial (Sales), Customer Technical Services (CTS), QA, Graphics, Logistics, Plant Management, and European Supply & Demand teams.
• Maintain strong customer‑facing relationships to support service, continuity, and issue resolution.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 GCSEs including Maths, English, and Science.
• Fluent English (written and verbal); additional languages advantageous.

Experience

• Experience in Supply Chain or related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years\’ experience within an FMCG environment, with demonstrable expertise in supply chain planning (experience in packaging manufacturing is advantageous).

Core Competencies

• Strong customer focus and service orientation.
• Proven people leadership and development capability.
• High levels of motivation, integrity, and trust.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills.
• Strong analytical and process management capability.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.