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- Tasks: Lead supply chain planning and forecasting in a fast-paced fresh produce environment.
- Company: Join a growing Fresh Produce business in West Sussex.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive environment, and opportunities for development.
- Why this job: Take ownership of supply chain performance and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in fresh produce supply chain and strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Collaborative role with cross-functional teams and excellent career progression.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Fresh People are currently recruiting for a Supply Chain & Planning Manager to join a fast-paced and growing Fresh Produce business operating within a short shelf-life supply chain environment based in West Sussex. This is a pivotal role with responsibility for end-to-end supply chain ownership, combining planning, forecasting, and commercial stock strategy with a strong understanding of operational execution within a fresh produce environment.
You will work cross-functionally with Commercial, Finance, Production, and Logistics teams, taking ownership of the S&OP process, demand planning, supplier performance, and stock management, ensuring product availability while optimising working capital and minimising waste.
Key Responsibilities- Own and lead the S&OP process, aligning demand, supply, and commercial plans
- Take full responsibility for forecasting and demand planning, ensuring accuracy across customers and categories
- Develop and manage commercial stock strategies, balancing availability, waste, and working capital
- Work closely with growers and suppliers, monitoring performance, supply reliability, and availability
- Manage end-to-end supply chain performance, from inbound supply through to customer delivery
- Collaborate with Commercial teams to align supply chain plans with customer demand and promotional activity
- Monitor and manage product flow through packhouse and operational environments, ensuring efficient execution
- Analyse supply chain data to identify risks, improve forecast accuracy, and optimise stock holding
- Drive continuous improvement across planning, supply chain processes, and service levels
- Ensure delivery performance against OTIF and customer service KPIs
- Lead and develop a small team within planning / supply chain (if applicable)
- Experience within fresh produce (fruit & vegetables) is essential
- Strong background in supply chain planning, forecasting, and S&OP ownership
- Experience managing stock at a commercial level, including availability, waste, and working capital
- Exposure to grower or supplier management within a fresh produce supply chain
- Strong understanding of short shelf-life products, crop variability, and demand fluctuations
- Experience working closely with packhouse or operational teams
- Commercially aware, with the ability to balance service, cost, and margin
- Confident working cross-functionally with Commercial, Finance, and Operations teams
- Strong analytical and systems capability (Excel or ERP systems)
- Opportunity to join a growing, fast-paced Fresh Produce business
- A role with real ownership across planning, forecasting, and supply chain performance
- Exposure to both commercial and operational aspects of the supply chain
- Supportive environment with opportunity to develop and progress
- Competitive salary and benefits package
If you are looking for a role where you can take ownership of supply chain planning, forecasting, and commercial performance within a fresh produce environment, we would love to hear from you.
Supply Chain & Planning Manager employer: Fresh People Ltd
Contact Detail:
Fresh People Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply Chain & Planning Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the fresh produce industry on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its supply chain processes. Show them you understand their challenges and how your experience in forecasting and demand planning can help them succeed.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common interview questions, especially those related to S&OP and stock management. We want you to feel confident and ready to showcase your skills when it counts!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Supply Chain & Planning Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Supply Chain & Planning Manager. Highlight your experience in fresh produce, S&OP processes, and any relevant stock management skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about supply chain management in the fresh produce sector. Share specific examples of your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves a lot of data analysis, make sure to mention your proficiency with Excel or ERP systems. We love candidates who can demonstrate their ability to analyse supply chain data and improve forecast accuracy!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fresh People Ltd
✨Know Your Fresh Produce
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of fresh produce, especially regarding short shelf-life products. Understand the challenges and nuances of managing supply chains in this sector, as it will show your potential employer that you're not just familiar with the role but also passionate about the industry.
✨Master the S&OP Process
Since this role involves leading the S&OP process, be prepared to discuss your experience with it. Think of specific examples where you've successfully aligned demand and supply plans, and be ready to explain how you can apply that knowledge to their business.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
This position requires strong analytical capabilities, so come prepared with examples of how you've used data to improve forecasting accuracy or optimise stock levels. If you have experience with Excel or ERP systems, highlight that too, as it’s crucial for the role.
✨Cross-Functional Collaboration
You'll be working closely with various teams, so be ready to share experiences where you've successfully collaborated with Commercial, Finance, or Operations teams. Emphasise your ability to balance service, cost, and margin while ensuring product availability.