S&OP Manager in Burnley

• S&OP / Demand Planning Manager
• Type: Full-time, Permanent

I am looking for an experienced S&OP / Demand Planning Manager to lead and develop the demand planning and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process for a growing and commercially focused business based in Burney, Lancashire.

This is a high-impact role where you’ll bring together commercial, supply chain, operations and finance teams to improve forecast accuracy, optimise inventory and ensure the business has the right products available at the right time.

You’ll take ownership of the end-to-end demand planning and S&OP cycle, providing clear insight and challenge to senior stakeholders and helping drive a more proactive, data-led approach to supply and demand.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and continuously improve the S&OP / IBP process, ensuring robust monthly planning cycles and effective cross-functional engagement.
• Lead the demand planning and forecasting process across the business.
• Develop and maintain statistical and commercial forecasts, balancing historical data with market intelligence and commercial inputs.
• Challenge forecast assumptions and improve forecast accuracy, bias and planning performance.
• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, Procurement and Supply Chain to identify risks and opportunities.
• Translate demand forecasts into clear supply requirements and highlight potential capacity, inventory and service issues.
• Develop and report on key planning KPIs, providing insight and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Drive improvements in inventory optimisation, availability and customer service levels.
• Identify trends, demand changes and potential supply risks, putting appropriate mitigation plans in place.
• Lead, coach and develop members of the demand planning team.
• Improve planning processes, systems, data quality and ways of working.
• Support longer-term business planning, scenario analysis and strategic decision-making.
• The ideal candidate will have the following skills, experience and attributes:

We’re looking for someone who combines strong technical demand planning expertise with the confidence and communication skills to influence stakeholders across the business.

You’ll ideally have

• Significant experience in S&OP, demand planning, forecasting or supply chain planning.
• A proven track record of improving forecast accuracy, inventory performance and/or customer service.
• Experience working within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading an S&OP process within a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to turn data into actionable insight.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills at both operational and senior-management level.
• Experience managing, mentoring or developing a planning team.
• Strong Excel skills and experience working with ERP, planning or forecasting systems.
• A commercially minded approach and the ability to understand the wider business impact of planning decisions.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to challenge constructively.

In return, you will receive

• Circa £60,000 pa salary
• A senior, high-profile role with genuine influence across the business.
• The opportunity to shape and develop the company's S&OP and demand planning capability.
• A collaborative environment with strong cross-functional exposure.
• Career development and progression opportunities.
• A comprehensive benefits package.

Interested in this role? Please click apply now if you are interested and I’ll be in touch if your application is successful!