At a Glance
- Tasks: Own stock, suppliers, and shipping for a fast-growing international business.
- Company: Dynamic e-commerce brand with a close-knit team and transparent culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 28 days holiday plus your birthday off, and flexible start date.
- Other info: Opportunity for career advancement to Head of Operations in a thriving environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on supply chain strategies and drive growth in a scaling business.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in Supply Chain or Demand Planning, with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 39600 - 48400 £ per year.
Key Details
- Location: Manchester, UK
- Setup: On-Site
- Reports to: Founder
- Start Date: Flexible on the right person
- Salary: Competitive and flexible on the right person
- Holiday: 28 days (excluding bank holidays) plus your birthday off
- Probation: 3 months
The Opportunity
We're looking for a Supply Chain & Demand Planning Manager to own stock, suppliers and shipping end to end for a fast growing, internationally scaling business. This is not a coordinator role. It's autonomous ownership of demand planning, supply chain and global logistics for a business that's tripling year on year.
Demand planning sits at the heart of this role. Getting stock right, the right quantities, in the right region, at the right time, is what makes or breaks a business like ours. We want someone who is genuinely elite at forecasting, not just comfortable with it.
You'll work directly with our Founder and be instrumental in building the systems and processes that enable continued growth. You'll join a tiny, close knit team where everyone knows each other well, values transparency, and actually wants to be here building the business.
Demand Planning & Inventory Strategy
- Build and own sales forecasting models using historical sales data, growth rates, marketing calendars, and seasonality to predict stock quantities across categories.
- Strategically allocate inventory across UK and US warehouses to maximise availability and minimise overstock.
- Monitor sell through rates and competitor positioning to flag opportunities for price adjustments.
- Manage fabric consignment arrangements with suppliers, keeping reserved fabric on hand at all times so emergency POs can be raised without lead time delays.
- Run cycle counts and stock reconciliations, investigating shrinkage and discrepancies.
- Report weekly to the Founder on weeks of cover, sell through, and reorder flags, and plan POs against cash flow, flagging early when a reorder plan doesn't fit the cash position.
Packaging
- Own packaging end to end.
- Source and manage packaging suppliers, negotiate unit costs, and forecast packaging demand in line with projected growth.
- Ensure all branded packaging is ordered, produced, and delivered to manufacturers ahead of every PO — packaging should never be the thing that delays production.
Supply Chain
- Own the primary contact relationship with fabric, garment and packaging manufacturers.
- Use order sheets and historical data to confirm quantities, place orders, and lock in lead times.
- Partner with our product development team on new product launches, ensuring production timelines sync with freight schedules.
- Own resolution of production defects and quality failures, including returns, faulty stock disposition, and supplier claims.
Warehouse Ops
- Book all international shipments via our freight forwarder, manage customs, and delivery schedules.
- Generate Advanced Shipping Notices (ASNs) for all warehouses and ensure shipments arrive on agreed dates.
- Monitor warehouse SLAs for receiving speed, dispatch accuracy, and inventory integrity.
- Maintain 100% inventory synchronisation between Shopify and warehouse management systems.
- Own relationships with our fulfilment partners, solving problems and chasing shipments.
- Audit 3PL, freight, and duty invoices against quotes and recover billing errors.
SKU management
- Deliver SKUs, barcodes, HS codes to manufacturers.
- Generate and manage all barcode creation on our GS1 account.
Strategic Input
We're a small team and we're not just looking for someone to execute the operational playbook. We want someone with supply chain, forecasting, and logistics expertise who can see gaps we might not see and suggest ways to scale smarter, including owning the choice of inventory planning tools as we outgrow spreadsheets. If you spot inefficiencies, have ideas for cost reduction, or can streamline our relationships with manufacturers and warehouses, we want to hear them. This role has real influence over how we build our operational backbone for the next phase of growth, with the future goal of Head of Operations.
Who we are looking for
- 3+ years in Supply Chain, Demand Planning, or Operations, ideally in fast growing DTC e-commerce (fashion, accessories, lifestyle)
- Proven demand planning track record: you've owned forecasting through rapid growth (not just maintained someone else's model) and can talk specifics — forecast accuracy, stockout rates, inventory turns
- Strong analytical background: Economics, maths, or quantitative degree. You think in spreadsheets and can build forecasting models from scratch
- Day to day operations execution: You've booked shipments, managed lead times, liaised with 3PLs, and owned logistics schedules
- Proficiency with Shopify and warehouse management systems: You navigate these confidently and have worked with ASNs and inventory reconciliation
- Financial literacy: You understand cash flow, inventory carrying costs, and can make spend decisions confidently
- Import/export experience: You've dealt with customs, tariffs, documentation, or international logistics
- Experience in fashion, jewellery, or e-commerce
Supply Chain & Demand Planning Manager in Bolton employer: Nero
Nero is an exceptional employer for those passionate about sustainability and innovation in the activewear industry. With a focus on natural fibres and a commitment to challenging the status quo, employees are part of a dynamic team that values hard work and creativity. Located in Manchester's vibrant Northern Quarter, the company offers a hybrid work model, competitive salaries, and opportunities for personal and professional growth, making it an ideal place for individuals eager to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply Chain & Demand Planning Manager in Bolton
✨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 Nero, 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 & Demand Planning Manager.
We think you need these skills to ace Supply Chain & Demand Planning Manager in Bolton
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 Nero. 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 Nero 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 Nero
✨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 Nero.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Nero
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Nero 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!
