SAP Functional Lead - Inventory, Planning & Data

Role Overview

As Centrica’s SAP Functional Tech Lead for Inventory, Planning & Data, you will own and shape SAP-centric inventory, forecasting, replenishment and supply‑chain data capabilities within the Supply Chain Platform.

You will lead the evolution of reliable, scalable and fit‑to‑standard planning and inventory solutions, delivering measurable improvements in forecast accuracy, stock visibility, inventory optimisation and supply‑chain data quality.

Working closely with Product, Operations, Data Science and Engineering, you will balance platform sustainability with innovation, shaping how AI, advanced SAP planning and automation are embedded into supply‑chain planning as the platform matures.

• Day to day
• You will own and shape the functional design of inventory, forecasting and replenishment solutions across SAP planning systems, including IBP for Demand, IBP for Inventory, S/4HANA MRP and Predictive MRP, ensuring clean integration with downstream execution processes.
• You will champion fit‑to‑standard planning and inventory design, prioritising SAP standard planning approaches, data structures and KPIs while challenging unnecessary bespoke logic.
• You will partner with Master Data, Analytics and Finance teams to ensure planning solutions consume enterprise master‑data services correctly and feed operational and financial reporting reliably.
• You will work with Supply Chain Operations SMEs to enable data‑driven forecasting, replenishment and inventory management, improving forecast accuracy, plan adherence and inventory efficiency.
• You will establish reliable, observable planning processes, ensuring forecast outputs, inventory positions and KPIs are explainable, traceable and trusted.
• You will define and track planning KPIs such as forecast accuracy, bias, MAPE, plan adherence, inventory health and data quality thresholds.
• You will identify where AI/ML, advanced SAP-native planning capabilities and automation can improve forecast accuracy, inventory health, replenishment decisions and planner productivity.
• You will provide functional leadership on planning standards and guardrails, working with Product, Architecture, Finance, Data, Operations and delivery squads to keep solutions consistent, reliable and aligned to business outcomes.
• What we need from you
• Strong hands‑on experience delivering forecasting, replenishment and inventory optimisation capabilities in SAP‑centric planning landscapes, including SAP IBP, S/4HANA MRP or Predictive MRP, with experience integrating or extending standard SAP capability where needed.
• Strong command of SAP planning data structures and hierarchies, including product and location hierarchies, planning master data and the way these drive forecasting accuracy, replenishment logic and inventory optimisation.
• Proven experience defining and governing planning KPIs and metrics within SAP‑centric landscapes, such as forecast accuracy, bias, MAPE, plan adherence and inventory health.
• Practical understanding of supply chain planning and inventory operations, including S&OP cadence, replenishment policies, KPI interpretation and service‑level versus cost trade‑offs.
• Strong appreciation of how planning outputs support operational execution, financial forecasting, inventory valuation and working‑capital decisions.
• Awareness of SAP-native AI capabilities, machine learning in demand forecasting, advanced analytics and the practical realities of adopting AI within an ERP‑centred estate.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to influence Product, Operations, Finance, Data, Architecture and delivery teams and translate complex planning topics into business impact.
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