At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead supply chain planning and drive strategic business decisions for a growing manufacturing company.
- Company: Dynamic manufacturing firm in Milton Keynes, focused on growth and transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of supply chain.
- Other info: Join a high-performance culture and develop future leaders while driving change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising operations and enhancing customer service in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in supply chain planning and team leadership in complex environments.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
- Director of Supply Chain Planning (BBBH419) Milton Keynes, England
- Apply with Indeed
MRD Recruitment is working on behalf of our manufacturing client, based in Milton Keynes to hire a Director of Supply Chain Planning.
This is an exciting period of growth and transformation for the business and this is a critical leadership role responsible for driving strategic business planning across the entire planning cycle.
The Director of Supply Chain Planning, based in Milton Keynes will lead the planning agenda, ensuring demand, supply and operational capabilities are aligned to deliver outstanding customer service, optimise inventory and enable informed business decision-making.
You will lead a high-performing team across Customer Service, Demand Planning and Supply Planning, you’ll champion collaboration and utilise strategic planning systems and drive operational planning maturity.
- Key Responsibilities for the Director of Supply Chain Planning based in Milton Keynes;
- Lead and continuously develop the monthly S&OP and supply chain planning processes, ensuring robust cross-functional planning.
- Align commercial demand with operational capability through effective planning and decision-making.
- Prepare strategic scenarios, capacity assessments and risk analysis to support executive leadership.
- Drive a single, consensus-based business plan across commercial, operational and financial functions.
- Lead customer service and demand planning teams to deliver accurate forecasts and exceptional customer service.
- Build strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to improve forecasting accuracy and service performance.
- Work closely with Commercial teams to understand promotional activity, product launches and market trends.
- Challenge forecast assumptions using data-driven insights to improve planning accuracy and minimise waste.
- Translate demand forecasts into effective supply and production plans.
- Optimise inventory levels while balancing service, working capital and product availability.
- Collaborate with Manufacturing, Procurement and Logistics to proactively manage capacity and supply risks.
- Drive continuous improvements in inventory management and planning performance.
- Lead strategic modelling and scenario planning to support business growth and investment decisions.
- Sponsor supply chain transformation initiatives, ensuring planning capabilities evolve alongside the business.
- Support portfolio optimisation and long-term planning to maximise operational efficiency and profitability.
- Identify emerging risks and opportunities across the medium to long-term planning horizon.
- Inspire and develop multi-disciplinary planning teams, creating a high-performance culture.
- Champion collaboration across Commercial, Finance and Operations to strengthen integrated decision-making.
- Coach and mentor future leaders while developing planning capability across the organisation.
- Lead teams through business change, embedding new processes, systems and ways of working.
About You
We’re looking for an experienced supply chain planning leader with a strong background in Sales & Operations Planning within a complex Manufacturing, FMCG or retail environment.
You’ll bring
- Significant experience leading mature S&OP and Business Planning processes.
- A proven track record managing Demand Planning, Supply Planning and/or Customer Service teams.
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance customer expectations, operational capability and financial performance.
- Experience leading planning transformation, systems implementation or data-driven improvement programmes.
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data into clear business recommendations.
- Outstanding stakeholder management and influencing skills, with confidence engaging senior leaders across multiple functions.
- A strategic mindset, capable of balancing day-to-day operational priorities with longer-term business planning.
- A collaborative and people-focused leadership style, with experience developing high-performing teams and driving organisational change.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Director of Supply Chain Planning in Milton Keynes employer: Mrd Recruitment
Join a leading manufacturing business in Hamilton that values innovation and teamwork, offering a dynamic work culture where your contributions truly matter. With a strong focus on employee development, you'll have access to training and growth opportunities that empower you to advance your career while enjoying a competitive benefits package. Experience the unique advantage of working in a supportive environment that prioritises safety and operational excellence, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Supply Chain Planning in Milton Keynes
✨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 Mrd Recruitment, 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 Director of Supply Chain Planning.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Supply Chain Planning in Milton Keynes
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 Mrd Recruitment. 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 Mrd Recruitment 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 Mrd Recruitment
✨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 Mrd Recruitment.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Mrd Recruitment
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Mrd Recruitment 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!
