At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the optimisation of RELEX for forecasting and inventory management.
- Company: Join Fortnum & Mason, a prestigious brand transforming its supply chain.
- Benefits: Inclusive culture, career development, and recognition for outstanding contributions.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration across teams.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of supply chain innovation and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience with RELEX and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Fortnum & Mason is transforming its supply chain, forecasting and replenishment capabilities through RELEX and the development of a fully integrated, data-driven Merchandising function.
The Relex Super User will be joining us through our journey with Relex implementation as we continue to evolve our processes.
And on a day-to-day basis is responsible for maximising the value delivered by the RELEX platform, ensuring forecasting, replenishment and inventory management processes are optimised across the business.
Acting as the bridge between Merchandising, Supply Chain, Technology and external partners, this role will lead user adoption, continuous improvement and system optimisation whilst serving as Fortnum's in-house RELEX subject matter expert.
This position will play a critical role in the ongoing maturity of the platform, supporting the rollout of future phases including Wholesale, EU and Hampers, whilst embedding best practice forecasting and replenishment disciplines across the organisation
Key Accountabilities
- RELEX System Ownership
- Serve as Fortnum & Mason's lead RELEX business expert.
- Own the day-to-day optimisation of forecasting and replenishment processes within RELEX.
- Continuously review system performance, parameters, forecasts and replenishment outputs to improve accuracy and effectiveness.
- Monitor forecast performance, availability, stock holding and replenishment outcomes.
- Identify opportunities to reduce manual intervention and increase automation.
- Support the introduction of future RELEX functionality and modules
Forecasting and Replenishment
- Drive best practice forecasting across permanent, seasonal and promotional ranges.
- Develop structured forecast review processes and governance.
- Lead root-cause analysis of forecast variance and replenishment exceptions.
- Improve stock availability whilst reducing excess inventory and waste.
- Support peak event planning, including Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day and other key trading periods.
- Ensure RELEX is continually improving its understanding of demand patterns and seasonal peaks.
User Adoption and Training
- Act as the primary point of contact for all RELEX users across Merchandising.
- Develop and deliver training programmes for new and existing users.
- Support colleagues in understanding RELEX outputs, dashboards and replenishment recommendations.
- Build confidence and capability across teams to drive full adoption.
- Maintain user guides, process documentation and best practice materials.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning and system engagement.
Continuous Improvement and Change Management
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve system configuration, processes and ways of working.
- Translate business challenges into practical RELEX solutions.
- Partner with Merchandising, Commercial, Logistics and Supply Chain teams to improve inventory performance.
- Lead and support testing of enhancements, releases and upgrades.
- Drive the implementation of agreed process improvements across the Merchandising function.
- Ensure lessons learned are incorporated into future planning and system development.
- Stakeholder Management
- Work closely with Merchandising teams, Logistics, Supply Chain, Technology and Finance.
- Act as the primary business contact for external RELEX support partners and consultants.
- Work alongside Digital Transformation teams to prioritise enhancements and improvement opportunities.
- Escalate issues appropriately and ensure resolution is driven through to completion.
- Represent Merchandising in relevant transformation programmes and steering groups.
- Reporting & Performance
Manage and develop reporting and insight across
- Forecast Accuracy
- Stock Availability
- Inventory Levels
- User Adoption
- Role Specific Criteria (Experience/Behaviours/Technical Ability)
Experience and Skills
Previous RELEX experience at an project lead or super user level. Ideally in a Food retail environment.
- Strong merchandising, supply chain or inventory management experience.
- Analytical and highly data literate.
- Excellent Excel and reporting capability.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Ability to simplify complex technical concepts for business users.
- Experience leading change and process improvement initiatives.
- Strong commercial awareness and understanding of retail operations.
- Experience working with forecasting, replenishment or supply chain planning platforms.
- Knowledge of D365 or equivalent ERP systems.
- Project or transformation experience.
- Experience leading training and user adoption programmes.
- What Success Looks Like
The successful candidate will
- Be recognised as Fortnum's trusted RELEX expert.
- Drive full adoption of RELEX across Merchandising.
- Improve forecast accuracy and availability.
- Reduce manual intervention and improve automation.
- Support successful delivery of RELEX Phase 2.
- Improve stock productivity across stores, online and distribution.
- Deliver measurable operational and commercial benefits from the RELEX investment.
- Why this role Matters
RELEX is a critical enabler of Fortnum's future supply chain strategy.
This role sits at the heart of that transformation, ensuring that technology, process and people work together to create a more agile, efficient and customer-focused merchandising operation.
We are committed to developing your career and nurturing your talent, regardless of age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation.
We respect and embrace each other's differences, to create a truly inclusive environment.
In the last year alone, our people have been recognised and celebrated, winning awards for their outstanding contributions to Retail, Technology, Global Hospitality & Tourism, Visual Merchandising & Display, Customer Service and Local Community Awards
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Demand Planning Systems Lead employer: Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum & Mason is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in the iconic setting of Piccadilly. With a commitment to employee growth and development, we provide ample opportunities for professional advancement alongside generous benefits such as a substantial discount and 25 days of holiday, making it a rewarding place to build your career in tax management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Demand Planning Systems Lead
✨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 Fortnum & Mason, 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 Demand Planning Systems Lead.
We think you need these skills to ace Demand Planning Systems Lead
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 Fortnum & Mason. 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 Fortnum & Mason 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 Fortnum & Mason
✨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 Fortnum & Mason.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Fortnum & Mason
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Fortnum & Mason 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!
