At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead SAP planning processes and optimise inventory for better customer service.
- Company: Join BSW Group, the UK's largest timber and forestry business.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 31 days holiday, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on business performance and drive operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Experience with SAP ECC/S/4HANA and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 42750 - 52250 £ per year.
We're looking for an experienced SAP Sales & Operations Planner to play a key role in transforming the way we plan, forecast, and drive strategic business outcomes.
About the Role
Working across Sales, Commercial, Operations, Production Planning, Procurement and Customer Service, you'll lead the development of integrated SAP planning processes that improve forecast accuracy, optimise inventory and enhance customer service. You'll champion SAP as the business's single source of truth, replacing manual spreadsheet-based processes with efficient, data-driven planning solutions. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact by driving continuous improvement, influencing business-wide change and helping shape the future of our Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) capability.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and continuously improve SAP-based Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes across the business.
- Partner with Sales and Commercial teams to understand customer demand, market trends and promotional activity, translating these into effective operational plans.
- Facilitate regular S&OP reviews to ensure alignment between demand, supply, production capacity and inventory.
- Optimise SAP functionality by reducing manual reporting, spreadsheets and offline planning activities.
- Develop SAP dashboards and reporting tools that provide meaningful commercial insight and support decision making.
- Champion SAP as the single source of truth for planning, inventory and operational reporting.
- Support SAP master data governance, ensuring high standards of data accuracy, integrity and compliance.
- Analyse inventory performance and work with Procurement and Production Planning to optimise stock levels while maintaining customer service.
- Identify supply risks and coordinate proactive mitigation plans across the business.
- Support new product introductions by ensuring planning parameters and SAP master data are accurate and complete.
- Produce KPIs and reporting on forecast accuracy, inventory performance, SAP utilisation and planning effectiveness.
- Train and coach users to maximise SAP capability and encourage best practice.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that simplify processes, improve collaboration and increase business efficiency.
About You
You'll be an experienced SAP planning professional who enjoys improving business processes, working collaboratively across multiple departments and using data to influence commercial decisions. You'll bring:
- Proven experience using SAP ECC and/or SAP S/4HANA within a planning or supply chain environment.
- Experience in Demand Planning, Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), Supply Chain Planning or Master Data Management.
- Strong knowledge of forecasting methodologies, MRP, inventory management and end-to-end supply chain processes.
- Working knowledge of SAP MM, PP and SD modules.
- Experience improving planning processes and reducing reliance on spreadsheet-based planning.
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to turn complex data into actionable business insight.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence and challenge existing ways of working.
- Excellent organisational, project and change management skills.
- A proactive, collaborative and solutions-focused approach with a passion for continuous improvement.
- Experience within a manufacturing or distribution environment, along with involvement in SAP implementation or business process improvement projects, would be highly advantageous.
If you're looking for a role where you can influence business performance, drive operational excellence and help shape the future of planning through SAP, we'd love to hear from you.
Who we are:
BSW Group is the largest timber and forestry business in the UK, with operating divisions spanning the whole supply chain, from tree nurseries and woodland management to saw milling and pallets. We market 35 million saplings annually through the country’s leading commercial tree nursery, have planted a billion trees through Tilhill Forestry, supply sustainable timber products to an array of industries as BSW Timber, and manufacture millions of pallets a year as Scott Pallets. We work to keep industry moving and aim to be the most technically advanced timber business in the country. BSW operates as a collection of experts – an interconnected circle, where everyone and everything works together, allowing the business to constantly innovate as our people thrive. With an ethos to use everything and waste nothing, we leverage technology and cutting-edge practices to supply the diverse demands of the UK, helping to build sustainable worlds.
What you will receive in return:
- Competitive Salary
- 31 days holiday
- Pension Scheme/ Salary Sacrifice
- Employee discount hub
- Refer-a-friend
- Cycle to work scheme
SAP Sales & Operations Planner in North Ferriby employer: BSW Group
BSW Group is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment at their Rainham site where safety and quality are paramount. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance of 33 days, and a contributory pension scheme, all while being part of a supportive culture that prioritises professional growth and development in the manufacturing sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SAP Sales & Operations Planner in North Ferriby
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at BSW Group, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of SAP Sales & Operations Planner.
We think you need these skills to ace SAP Sales & Operations Planner in North Ferriby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at BSW Group. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research BSW Group and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at BSW Group
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at BSW Group.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by BSW Group
Look into any unique supply chain challenges BSW Group might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!