At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead linen management and optimise customer service levels while driving financial performance.
- Company: Global leader in garment and linen rental services with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Career development, exposure to leadership, and a supportive culture.
- Other info: Clear progression opportunities into senior operational roles.
- Why this job: Perfect stepping stone for aspiring leaders in operations with real impact on business performance.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills, commercial awareness, and a proactive mindset.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Are you an ambitious professional looking to accelerate your career in operations? Do you want a role where your analytical thinking, commercial awareness and leadership potential can directly influence business performance - while opening the door to future leadership opportunities?
Our client is a global leader in professional garment and linen rental services, operating at the forefront of the circular economy. With 80% of group revenue driven by textile solutions and annual investments of several hundred million pounds, optimising cost, quality and customer value is a strategic priority across the Group and within the UK business.
As part of their succession planning and growth strategy, the business is actively seeking high-potential, career-driven individuals who want to grow into senior operational leadership roles. This position is designed to provide the commercial exposure, operational insight and strategic responsibility needed to build a long-term leadership career.
The Opportunity
As Demand Planning Manager at the Portsmouth site, you will take ownership of linen management at site level - ensuring customer product availability while carefully controlling textile investment and delivering measurable financial performance. Working at the intersection of operations, commercial teams and customer services, you will become the site's centre of expertise for textile configuration, demand planning and utilisation strategy. This role provides deep operational exposure, giving you the opportunity to understand how a large-scale service operation performs end-to-end - from customer demand forecasting to cost optimisation, operational processes and continuous improvement. For ambitious individuals with leadership aspirations, this role offers an ideal stepping stone into Operations Management.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and manage linen demand forecasting to ensure optimal customer service levels and stock availability
- Identify risks, trends and opportunities within textile utilisation and agree proactive action plans
- Ensure customers are configured on the correct service models and replenishment levels
- Partner closely with site Operations teams to optimise textile lifecycle management, including compliant rewash and rag-out processes
- Manage and monitor the financial performance of the linen pool against site budgets
- Deliver weekly, monthly and quarterly performance reporting, providing clear commercial insight to site leadership
- Act as the site's centre of knowledge for textile configuration and customer setup within business systems
- Collaborate with Account Management and Customer Services to optimise customer outcomes
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to maximise textile utilisation and operational efficiency
- Support the site leadership team with data-driven operational decision making
About You
We're looking for individuals who combine analytical capability with leadership potential and who are motivated by building a long-term career in operational leadership. You will ideally bring:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn data into actionable insight
- Commercial awareness and experience managing or influencing budgets
- Confidence working cross-functionally with operational and commercial teams
- A proactive, improvement-focused mindset
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Strong IT capability (MS Office and ERP systems)
- Degree educated or equivalent experience within a customer-focused service environment
- Exposure to continuous improvement or operational optimisation is advantageous
Most importantly, you will be ambitious, curious about operations and motivated to grow into a leadership role.
Career Development & Progression
This role is part of a long-term talent pipeline into Operations Management. Successful individuals will benefit from:
- Exposure to senior operational leadership
- Involvement in strategic site performance initiatives
- Development of commercial and operational management skills
- Opportunities to progress into Operations Manager and senior leadership roles
The organisation is committed to developing future leaders from within, making this an excellent opportunity for individuals seeking a clear and structured career path.
What's on Offer
A strategically important role within a growing international organisation. Exposure to large-scale operational decision making. High visibility across operations, commercial and leadership teams. The opportunity to directly influence cost, quality and customer value. A collaborative, supportive and people-focused culture. Clear progression opportunities into Operations Management.
If you are commercially sharp, operationally curious and motivated by building a leadership career within a fast-paced, operational environment, we would love to hear from you.
Demand Planning Manager in Birmingham employer: Barker Ross Group
As a Demand Planning Manager at our Portsmouth site, you will join a dynamic and innovative team within a global leader in professional garment and linen rental services. Our company fosters a collaborative and supportive work culture, prioritising employee growth through structured career development opportunities and exposure to senior leadership. With a commitment to the circular economy and continuous improvement, we offer a unique environment where your analytical skills and leadership potential can thrive, directly influencing business performance while paving the way for your future success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Demand Planning Manager in Birmingham
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Logistics and supply chain are all about networking, so hit up those trade shows and local meetups. Places like the UK's Logistics and Supply Chain conference can be goldmines for connecting with potential employers like Barker Ross Group and learning about the latest trends in the industry.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join forums and LinkedIn groups specifically for logistics professionals. Share your insights and ask questions to get noticed. Being active in these spaces can help you establish credibility and might just lead to an opportunity at Barker Ross Group!
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Even if it’s a full-time gig, having a portfolio can really set you apart. Include case studies or projects that demonstrate your understanding of supply chain management, logistics software, or solving operational challenges. You’d be surprised at how much this can impress hiring managers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don't forget the power of applying directly through our website! A lot of companies like Barker Ross Group keep job postings exclusive to their sites. This way, you can easily keep track of your applications and ensure your profile is in front of the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Demand Planning Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles. Mention any relevant courses you've taken or tools you've used, like inventory management software or data analysis platforms, to showcase your skills and keep up with best practices in the industry.
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your previous work experience, remember to use numbers wherever possible. Did you improve delivery times by a specific percentage? Did you help reduce costs? These kinds of quantified achievements not only catch the eye but also demonstrate your capability in the logistics sector.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Barker Ross Group:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Barker Ross Group. In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about supply chain logistics and how your goals align with the company’s mission. A little personalisation goes a long way!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to logistics or supply chain management—like APICS or Six Sigma—make sure you flaunt them! These show that you're committed to your professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Barker Ross Group
✨Know Your Logistics Tools
Make sure you're familiar with key logistics software and tools like SAP or Oracle ERP. These are often used in the industry, and being able to demonstrate your knowledge or experience with them can really set you apart during your interview with Barker Ross Group.
✨Perfect Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to tackle scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you've had to optimise supply chains or handle logistics challenges. Have a few examples ready to discuss how you made decisions that led to improvements.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Supply chain roles heavily rely on teamwork and communication. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Maybe share a time when you coordinated with a team to resolve a logistical hiccup. This can show Barker Ross Group that you're a team player!
✨Understand the Big Picture
Be ready to talk about the broader logistics and supply chain trends. Having insights into current challenges in the industry, like sustainability or lead times, can impress the interviewers at Barker Ross Group. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
