At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse and manage inventory levels to ensure optimal stock and supplier relationships.
- Company: Join Lotus Natural Foods, a leader in healthy snacking with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive team environment, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Full-time role in St Albans, with a collaborative team spirit and focus on culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a growing company and make a real impact on inventory management.
- Qualifications: 1-2 years experience in FMCG or retail, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in SAP.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Lotus Natural Foods, the healthy snacking division of Lotus Bakeries, has great ambitions for all our brands, ensuring sustainable growth over the long-term. We believe that taste and quality are 100% of what underpins us as brand leaders within our categories. To date we have achieved so much, but there is still plenty of room to grow further and that means we need more brilliant people who share an ambition for making a difference.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a growing company and to put your entrepreneurial skills to the test. As the Inventory Planner, you will:
- Monitor and analyse inventory levels to ensure optimal stock levels.
- Place orders with suppliers to replenish inventory as needed.
- Manage supplier relationships.
- Coordinate with procurement, sales, and logistics teams to align inventory levels with business needs.
- Identify and mitigate risks related to inventory shortages or excesses.
- Develop and implement inventory control procedures and best practices.
- Conduct regular inventory audits and reconcile discrepancies.
- Prepare and present inventory reports to management.
- Optimize inventory turnover rates to minimise holding costs.
- Collaborate with the finance team to manage inventory budgets and forecasts.
- Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to inventory management.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives within the supply chain department.
Are you someone who has a flair for numbers and data, with the ability to think analytically and optimise efficiency whilst working collaboratively with other functions? Our Supply Chain team has a passion for ensuring customer satisfaction while maintaining efficiency. Alongside living our TOP values, we are looking for someone with:
- Passion: A love for data and using analytical tools. Translating data/numbers into action is your thing.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in tools such as SAP. You take service level targets and forecast accuracy as input to generate performance inventory plans. Confidence in decision-making responsibilities.
- Experience: 1-2 years of work experience, preferably in FMCG or retail industries.
- Collaborative Spirit: A friendly, proactive and positive attitude, with strong communication skills and a willingness to learn.
- Organization Skills: Ability to manage time and prioritise tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Be a team player; we all get stuck in to achieve results here at Lotus Natural Foods and we love our team to look beyond their own role, whether that be contributing to workshops or building upon ideas to amplify the overall result that perhaps sit outside of your role. Culture is hugely important to us here at Lotus Natural Foods and we look to our employees to positively contribute to that.
Other key requirements:
- Right-To-Work within the UK (without sponsorship).
- Minimum Education to Bachelor’s Degree level.
Please note this role is a full-time position at our beautiful offices in St Albans, with four days a week spent on-site. Please only proceed if this works for you.
Inventory Planner in St Albans employer: LOTUS
Lotus in Hethel is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and quality are at the forefront of our operations. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we provide opportunities for continuous learning and development, alongside a flexible working policy and attractive performance bonuses. Join us to be part of a collaborative team dedicated to excellence in engineering and manufacturing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Inventory Planner in St Albans
✨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 LOTUS, 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 Inventory Planner.
We think you need these skills to ace Inventory Planner in St Albans
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 LOTUS. 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 LOTUS 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 LOTUS
✨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 LOTUS.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by LOTUS
Look into any unique supply chain challenges LOTUS 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!
