At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive supply chain efficiency and optimise costs through insightful analysis and reporting.
- Company: Join a leading retail brand focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on supply chain performance while developing your analytical skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance, budgeting, and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 62000 - 115000 £ per year.
About the Role
As the Supply Chain Performance and Budgeting Manager, you will be the expert in driving decision making that ensures the Supply Chain optimises costs and efficiency. You will identify opportunities to improve efficiency, increase overall productivity, reduce operating costs, and enable operational and financial decision making.
You’ll create reporting which builds the understanding of Distribution centre performance, surfaces issues, mitigates risks, and maximises opportunities. Through the translation of financial forecasts into operational budgets, you will jointly meet the financial targets and drive an efficient Supply Chain operation across all distribution sites in the Waitrose network, both partner‑led and 3rd party led.
You will support the development of long‑term strategic planning of the network and contractual agreements through performance reporting and insight about current operations and analysis of the impact, tracking benefits of change. You will lead a team that identifies opportunities to improve productivity performance across the Supply Chain and provide stakeholders with insights and analysis on productivity and performance to inform their decision making. You will manage how productivity and performance data is captured and measured across the Waitrose supply chain sites.
Location: Bracknell Head Office with Hybrid Working. Core office days are Wednesdays and Thursdays; around 3 days a week in the office.
Contract Type: Permanent. Hours: 35 hours per week. Salary: £62,000 - £115,000 (depending on experience). Closing Date: July 6, 2026.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide deep and granular insight on Supply Chain performance – turning a detailed view of current and proposed operational activity into financial metrics and forecasts, providing accurate and timely analysis, insight and reporting on current performance and make recommendations for mitigating actions.
- Provide visibility of all financial performance and costs (Capex / Opex etc) across Supply Chain; work with site‑management (Partner‑run and 3PLs) to manage budgets and P&Ls across all sites, drive monthly review meetings, and challenge performance as needed.
- Lead the Supply Chain centre of expertise for productivity measurement (including Time & Motion measurement activities) and maximise the value time brings across the operation.
- Lead a team of data analysts to identify and measure productivity and performance opportunities across the Supply Chain.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Experience in distribution finance, budgeting, and P&L management, specifically within a retail environment.
- Strong analytical skills with experience in complex grocery retail environments.
- Proven ability to write and develop comprehensive business cases.
- Experience in monitoring and tracking the benefits of strategic changes.
- Skilled at handling competing priorities and adapting communication style across different directorates.
- Experience managing third‑party delivery partners.
- Proven track record in leading teams of data analysts.
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Finance or a Financial Qualification.
- Good understanding of BI and Data Warehouses.
Supply Chain Performance and Budgeting Manager in Bracknell employer: John Lewis plc
At Waitrose, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our Bracknell Head Office provides a hybrid working model, allowing for flexibility while ensuring our employees are supported in their professional growth through comprehensive training and development opportunities. With a focus on employee well-being and a commitment to sustainability, joining our team means being part of a forward-thinking organisation that values your contributions and empowers you to make a meaningful impact in the supply chain sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply Chain Performance and Budgeting Manager in Bracknell
✨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 John Lewis plc, 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 Performance and Budgeting Manager.
We think you need these skills to ace Supply Chain Performance and Budgeting Manager in Bracknell
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 John Lewis plc. 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 John Lewis plc 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 John Lewis plc
✨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 John Lewis plc.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by John Lewis plc
Look into any unique supply chain challenges John Lewis plc 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!
