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- Tasks: Manage supply flow and inventory to meet customer demand while optimising stock levels.
- Company: Join Nichols, the home of Vimto, where innovation meets flavour.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, annual bonus, and discounts on products.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team that values creativity and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Experience in production planning and knowledge of ERP systems required.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace with opportunities for personal growth and community volunteering.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
ABOUT NICHOLS
We’re Nichols - the home of Vimto, and there is no other business quite like ours! We have been making life taste better since 1908. Every day here is bursting with flavour – from the loved brands we’re proud to share with the world, to the energy, ambition and innovative ideas that fizz through our teams. As well as our refreshingly different Vimto taste, our varied brand portfolio spans the still, carbonated, post-mix and frozen drinks categories – so you will find us in your local supermarket, pub and leisure outlet. We also work with the UK’s leading food manufacturers to provide a truly unique range of products that everyone loves. At the heart of everything is our rich family heritage, an unrelenting ambition to keep innovating, and a true pride in who we are. This is a place where you can be yourself, speak up, and get stuck in. We celebrate the wins, cheer each other on and keep things fizzing with positivity. From leaders who listen to teammates who’ve always got your back, its work that feels as good as it tastes!
Our Ross-on-Wye site is the heart of production, the home of our post-mix, juices and slushes for Out of Home customers. Our factory is a key ingredient in the Nichols recipe for success — helping us stay innovative, adaptable, and ready to serve up what our customers crave. Nichols is where serious fun meets real opportunities – and where work tastes better.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY:
The Supply & Inventory Planner is responsible for managing the physical flow of finished goods to meet customer demand and managing the control of materials requirements planning. You’ll maintain an accurate end to end system network giving real-time visibility of the supply network. You’ll review exceptions, plan inventory, set data parameters and collaborate consensus plan with internal stakeholders, co-Manufacturers and suppliers. You’ll also be responsible for allocating supply plan between co-Manufacturers, considering annual contracts, physical capacity (min & max), agreed constraints and financial targets. In addition, the Supply & Inventory planner will execute inventory control measures, ensuring we minimise stock holding and maximise stock system and system accuracy, owning the responsibility for all coordination activities related to inventory management.
THE ROLE WILL INCLUDE:
- Generate and own the supply plan for finished goods and raw materials, aligned to business policies and known constraints
- Create stock deployment plans to optimise availability by plant
- Control inventory management of finished goods, raw materials and any materials contract exposure
- Ensure stock record accuracy within 3PL and warehouse
- Work closely with suppliers to ensure supply plans can be met and constraints considered
- Manage inventory to ensure risk of excess or insufficient stocks are mitigated, and inventory available-to-promise dates are communicated and expedited
- Ensure inventory quality is controlled through non-conformance management, status management and traceability carried out as required
- Develop and maintain supply plan scenarios and sensitivity analysis to support business decision making
- Create and maintain IBP inputs
- Generate reports and KPIs to ensure performance is managed and own resolution of any issues.
- Identify and drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce costs, CO2 and improve service
- Support delivery of NPI or other business projects
- Define and regularly review inventory parameters based on demand variability and lead times.
- Ensure compliance to all legal, people, workplace operations policies and practices and the governance framework within RTM
ABOUT YOU:
To make a splash in this role you will bring:
- Previous experience in a production planning or materials requirements planning position
- Knowledge of ERP systems including MRP and inventory control systems and processes
- Ability to generate actionable insights from large datasets to identify trends and recommend improvement action including root cause analysis
- Strong attention to detail to ensure accurate planning, reporting, and inventory tracking
- Interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships quickly and effectively across all levels and influence key stakeholders internally and externally
- Understanding of safety stock calculations, reorder point formulas, and economic order quantity (EOQ) models.
- Ability to manage and maintain accurate master data (e.g. SKU information, supplier data) within ERP
- Experience of working within an S&OP/IBP cycle
- Experience with data visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau
- Working in accordance with standard operating procedures
- Commercial awareness with a good general supply chain and business understanding
BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH US:
No matter where you work in our business you will be entitled to a range of amazing benefits, here is a snapshot of what we can offer you:
- 25 days holiday (with opportunity to buy extra every year)
- Annual Bonus
- Save as you Earn Share Scheme
- Option to join our private medical cover scheme
- Enhanced Primary Carers leave and sick pay
AND LET’S NOT FORGET THE PERKS:
We are also proud to offer:
- Holiday home stay
- Your birthday off work
- Free on site parking
- 1 day a year off work to volunteer in the community (you choose when and where)
- Help yourself to our drinks when at one of our sites
- Staff shop with discounts on our products
Apply now if you want a taste of a new career and join Nichols - Where work tastes better. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe diverse teams perform at their best, and we welcome people with different backgrounds, life experiences, perspectives and ways of thinking. Our standard recruitment process for short-listed candidates typically includes an initial call with our Talent Advisor, followed by a face to face interview with our hiring manager. If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process please feel free to contact us. Any job offer is subject to an individual’s Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor visas.
Supply and Inventory Planner employer: Nichols plc
Contact Detail:
Nichols plc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply and Inventory Planner
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Nichols, their products, and their culture. This way, when you chat with them, you can show off your knowledge and passion for what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to supply chain and inventory management. Think about how your experience aligns with their needs and be ready to share specific examples.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Nichols team!
We think you need these skills to ace Supply and Inventory Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Supply Chain: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for supply chain management shine through! We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission at Nichols and how you can contribute to making life taste better.
Be Specific About Your Experience: Don’t just list your previous roles; dive into the details! Share specific examples of how you've managed inventory or improved processes. We love seeing real-life applications of your skills, especially in production planning or materials requirements.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the Supply & Inventory Planner role. Highlight relevant skills like your knowledge of ERP systems and your ability to analyse data. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position.
Keep It Clear and Concise: While we appreciate detail, clarity is key! Make your application easy to read by using bullet points and clear headings. This helps us quickly see why you’re a great fit for Nichols and keeps your application looking professional.
How to prepare for a job interview at Nichols plc
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Supply and Inventory Planner, you'll be dealing with data all the time. Brush up on your knowledge of key metrics like safety stock calculations, reorder points, and economic order quantities. Be ready to discuss how you've used these in past roles to optimise inventory management.
✨Showcase Your ERP Skills
Familiarity with ERP systems is crucial for this role. Make sure you can talk about your experience with MRP and inventory control systems. If you've worked with specific tools like Power BI or Tableau, highlight that too – it shows you're equipped to handle data visualisation and reporting.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
This position requires working closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've built relationships and influenced decisions in previous roles. Show that you can communicate effectively and work as part of a team to achieve common goals.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving
Expect questions about how you've tackled challenges in inventory management. Think of specific instances where you identified trends from data, conducted root cause analysis, and implemented improvements. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and proactive approach to problem-solving.