At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead demand planning and S&OP processes to optimise inventory and improve forecast accuracy.
- Company: Growing business in Burnley with a focus on collaboration and commercial success.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: High-profile role with cross-functional exposure and genuine influence across the business.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the company's demand planning capabilities.
- Qualifications: Experience in S&OP, strong analytical skills, and excellent stakeholder management.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
- 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!
S&OP Manager in Preston employer: Butler Rose
Butler Rose is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development, offering a clear pathway to leadership roles within 18–24 months. With a supportive work culture and the flexibility of hybrid working options, employees can thrive in a dynamic environment while contributing to the operational excellence of IT services across multiple sites in Kendal.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land S&OP Manager in Preston
✨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 Butler Rose, 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 S&OP Manager.
We think you need these skills to ace S&OP Manager in Preston
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 Butler Rose. 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 Butler Rose 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 Butler Rose
✨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 Butler Rose.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Butler Rose
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Butler Rose 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!
