Senior Replenishment Buyer

Reporting to

Senior Replenishment Manager

The Role

This is a key role within the Supply Chain team, responsible for ensuring we maintain the right level of stock across the business while balancing product availability, working capital, supplier performance, lead times and customer requirements.

The Senior Replenishment Buyer will manage a portfolio of suppliers and products directly, while providing direction and support to the Replenishment Team.

You will act as the key link between Supply Chain, Commercial, Finance, Warehouse, Logistics and our supplier base.

Key Responsibilities

• Replenishment & Inventory Management
• Own the overall replenishment strategy for an assigned portfolio of products.
• Set and maintain appropriate stock targets, stock cover and replenishment parameters.
• Review demand, sales forecasts, current stock, open orders and future requirements to determine purchasing needs.
• Oversee the day-to-day replenishment activity.
• Generate and process purchase orders accurately and in a timely manner.
• Place orders with approved suppliers in accordance with company procurement procedures.
• Monitor, track, and trace orders from placement through to delivery, ensuring on-time receipt of goods and services.
• Liaise with suppliers to obtain order confirmations, delivery updates, and resolve any supply issues.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and update procurement systems with order status information.
• Follow up on outstanding orders and proactively communicate delays or discrepancies to relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure purchasing decisions balance availability, working capital, MOQs, lead times and supplier constraints.
• Proactively identify potential out-of-stocks, excess stock, slow-moving stock and stock ageing.
• Develop and implement action plans to resolve inventory issues.
• Ensure appropriate stock is available to support customer requirements, promotions, seasonal peaks and new product launches.
• Forecasting & Demand Planning
• Work closely with Commercial and Brand teams to understand sales forecasts, customer activity, promotions and new launches.
• Review forecast accuracy and challenge assumptions where required.
• Identify significant changes in demand and ensure replenishment plans are adjusted accordingly.
• Translate commercial forecasts into realistic purchasing and stock requirements.
• Consider supplier lead times, MOQs, production schedules, shipping timelines and supply constraints when building replenishment plans.
• Support longer-term supply planning and scenario modelling where required.
• Own key supplier relationships and act as a senior point of contact for supply and replenishment matters.
• Monitor supplier performance against agreed lead times, quantities and delivery dates.
• Lead discussions around supply constraints, production delays, MOQ changes and availability issues.
• Escalate significant supplier issues and agree recovery plans.
• Work with suppliers to improve service levels and reliability.
• Ensure supplier forecasts and requirements are communicated accurately and in a timely manner.
• Support supplier reviews and performance meetings where appropriate.
• Team
• Support the Senior Replenishment Manager in their day-to-day responsibilities.
• Coach and develop the Replenishment Team, building their commercial and supply chain capability.
• Review the quality and accuracy of replenishment activity and provide feedback where required.
• Build a culture of proactive stock management rather than reactive order placing.
• Cross-Functional Working
• Build strong working relationships with Commercial, Brand, Finance, Warehouse and Logistics teams.
• Work closely with Commercial teams on customer forecasts, promotions and new business opportunities.
• Ensure Supply Chain has early visibility of new listings, range changes and promotional activity.
• Work closely with Warehouse and Logistics teams to ensure inbound stock is planned and managed effectively.
• Provide clear communication and escalation around supply risks and stock availability.
• Stock & Working Capital Management
• Take ownership of inventory performance across the relevant portfolio.
• Monitor stock value, stock cover, ageing and excess inventory.
• Identify opportunities to reduce working capital without compromising customer service.
• Lead reviews of slow-moving, discontinued and excess stock.
• Work with Commercial teams to develop appropriate solutions for excess inventory.
• Ensure purchasing decisions are aligned with agreed working capital targets.
• Systems, Data & Reporting
• Ensure accurate replenishment data and purchasing parameters are maintained within the ERP system.
• Own and develop regular reporting around stock availability, stock cover, open purchase orders, supplier performance and inventory risks.
• Monitor replenishment KPIs and identify trends requiring action.
• Use data to identify opportunities for improved forecasting, stock efficiency and supplier performance.
• Support the development and improvement of ERP and stock management processes.

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years proven procurement experience, preferably within a grocery environment.
• Experience in Coaching/Supervising/Managing a small team
• Relevant business/commercial degree is preferred.
• Membership of Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS).
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