At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse and optimise supply chain operations through data analysis and strategic planning.
- Company: Join a dynamic food manufacturing company in Rainham, Essex.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private medical insurance, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Full-time on-site role with occasional weekend coverage; ideal for self-starters.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment with opportunities for growth.
- Qualifications: Degree in Supply Chain, Business, or Data Analytics; strong SQL and Excel skills required.
Reports to: Supply Chain Manager
Location: Rainham, Essex (RM13 8RH)
Hours: 40 hours, 5 days on-site, with occasional weekend coverage
The Role
The Supply Chain Planning Analyst is responsible for analysing, optimising, and continuously improving Frive's end-to- end supply chain operations through data analysis, business intelligence, and strategic planning. Reporting to the Supply Chain Manager, this role owns material planning and translates operational data into actionable insight that improves forecasting accuracy, inventory performance, working capital, and overall business performance. It works closely with Procurement, Operations, Warehouse, Technical/NPD, Finance, and Commercial teams, combining business analysis, supply chain planning, and business intelligence to identify improvement opportunities and support strategic decision-making.
This is a fast-paced, short-shelf-life food manufacturing environment, based full-time on-site in Rainham with occasional weekend coverage. The role suits someone who can get up to speed quickly, work comfortably with ambiguity, and translate data into decisions without heavy handholding - taking initiative and delivering results from day one.
Responsibilities
Supply & Demand Planning
- Owning the end-to-end supply planning process, translating sales forecasts and promotional activity into accurate production and material plans.
- Running and refining the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) cycle, aligning demand, supply, and inventory positions across commercial, manufacturing, and finance stakeholders.
- Managing Material Requirements Planning (MRP) to ensure raw materials, packaging, and finished goods are available in the right place at the right time.
- Maintaining and interrogating Bills of Materials (BOMs), working closely with technical and NPD teams to reflect allergens, shelf life, and specifications accurately.
- Building and continuously refining demand forecasts, and maintaining a rolling risk/opportunity view so issues are flagged and actioned before they reach the production line.
Procurement & Supplier Performance
- Raising, expediting, deferring, or cancelling purchase orders, and managing disputes, partial receipts, and variances as they arise.
- Monitoring and reporting on supplier performance, including On Time In Full (OTIF), lead-time variability, and supplier SLAs, and driving improvement where performance slips.
- Leading root cause analysis and supplier follow-up on recurring issues, and spotting emerging patterns - demand shifts, supplier reliability, lead-time creep - early enough to act on them.
Inventory, Waste & Cashflow
- Planning stock rotation on FEFO/FIFO principles, tracking short-dated risk, and shaping demand, substitution, or redeployment to minimise write-offs while protecting availability.
- Setting days-of-cover targets and tuning MOQs, lead-times, and safety stocks to balance cash tied up in inventory against run-out risk.
- Optimising inventory levels across raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods, and tracking waste across the supply chain to identify root causes and drive corrective action.
Business Intelligence & Reporting
- Building weekly reports and dashboards (using SQL, Looker, Power Query, and Excel) that surface trends and opportunities to reduce waste and maximise margin.
- Building and maintaining data models that connect planning, sales, and inventory data into a single source of truth.
- Automating recurring reporting and manual processes to free up time for analysis over admin, and building the case for further automation where it adds value.
Business Analysis & Continuous Improvement
- Mapping and analysing existing supply chain and planning processes to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement.
- Driving continuous improvement initiatives across planning, inventory, and supplier processes, measuring impact against clear before/after KPIs.
- Producing regular business reporting and insight packs for senior stakeholders, presenting findings and recommendations clearly and confidently.
Technical Skills
- SQL, Advanced Excel, and Power Query (M), with working knowledge of Looker and VBA for dashboard and KPI development.
- Strong grounding in supply chain planning methods and tools, including MRP, S&OP, and demand forecasting.
- Food manufacturing awareness, including BOMs, allergens, shelf life, and product specifications.
About You
- You have experience in food manufacturing, meal-kit, fresh produce, or FMCG, ideally with short-shelf-life products.
- You're comfortable with BOMs and food technical basics - allergens, specifications, and shelf life.
- You have a solid grounding in procurement and supplier performance metrics, particularly OTIF, lead-time variability, and supplier SLAs.
- You have strong SQL and advanced Excel skills, and can build and interpret complex queries and models independently.
- You have experience with Looker, Power Query (M), and dashboard development.
- You have experience with MRP or production planning systems in a manufacturing context, and prior exposure to S&OP processes.
- You hold a degree in Supply Chain, Business, Data Analytics, or a related field, or have equivalent experience.
- You're a self‑starter who takes ownership without needing much steer, and you're calm under pressure and comfortable with a bit of chaos.
- You're genuinely curious about the “why” behind the numbers.
- You're happy working full-time, on-site in Rainham, with occasional weekend coverage.
Staff Benefits
- Discounted Private Medical Insurance
- 25 days Holiday + Public
- Bonus Scheme
- A discount on our amazing food
- Hybrid working pattern
- Enhanced parental leave
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Supply Chain Planning Analyst in London employer: Frive
Frive is an exceptional employer located in Rainham, Essex, offering a dynamic work environment in the fast-paced food manufacturing sector. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide opportunities for continuous improvement and professional development, alongside attractive benefits such as discounted private medical insurance, a bonus scheme, and a generous holiday allowance. Our collaborative culture encourages initiative and innovation, making it a rewarding place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in supply chain operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply Chain Planning Analyst in London
✨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 Frive, 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 Supply Chain Planning Analyst.
We think you need these skills to ace Supply Chain Planning Analyst in London
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 Frive. 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 Frive 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 Frive
✨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 Frive.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Frive
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Frive 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!
