At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Supply & Inventory Planning Team to optimise processes and ensure customer satisfaction.
- Company: Join a passionate team at Nichols, dedicated to making life taste better.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical cover, and discounts on products.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving efficiency and sustainability in supply chain management.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading teams and knowledge of supply chain processes required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
Are you ready to take ownership of Supply & Inventory Planning and play a key role in driving business success? We are looking for a dynamic Supply & Inventory Planning Team Leader to support our UK route to market. We’re looking for a proactive and strategic thinker who thrives on leading others, optimising processes, solving complex challenges, and ensuring seamless service to our Customers. In this pivotal role you’ll lead our Supply & Inventory Planning Team, responsible for putting the customer at the heart of what we do to “Deliver WOW” in supplying our customers.
You will optimise stock deployment strategies for finished goods and raw materials, work within business policies and known constraints to deliver precision and reliability across the supply chain. You will champion Inventory Management excellence to ensure accuracy and efficiency, minimising risks and maximising opportunities. You will forge powerful partnerships with suppliers to meet supply plans, manage constraints and resolve issues quickly. This is your chance to excel, identifying and delivering opportunities to “Find a Better Way” with our partners and our internal teams to achieve fantastic service whilst minimising costs and CO2 emissions. Your efforts and leadership will demonstrate we’re truly “Passionate About What We Do” at Nichols by continuously monitoring, optimising and elevating performance within the Supply & Inventory Planning team. You will have a fantastic opportunity to play a valuable role in our Vimto journey, helping us to ‘Make Life Taste Better’ for everyone!
THE ROLE WILL INCLUDE
- Maintaining Stock Accuracy: Ensure flawless record‑keeping with 3PL partners and warehouses, keeping everything traceable and on point.
- Solving Inventory Challenges: Manage inventory risks, balancing supply and demand to avoid excess or shortages while communicating and expediting solutions.
- Ensuring Quality Control: Oversee inbound non‑conformance management, traceability, and stock status management to maintain top‑tier standards.
- Innovate with Insights: Develop supply plan scenarios and sensitivity analysis to support bold and informed business decisions.
- Generating KPIs and Reports: Generate insightful reports, monitor performance, and address any issues with actionable solutions.
- Supporting New Projects: Proactive planning for successful New Product Introductions (NPI) and other business‑critical projects.
- Leading Continuous Improvement: Identify and drive initiatives that cut costs, reduce carbon emissions, and elevate service levels.
- Optimisation: Define and refine inventory parameters to match demand variability and lead times, ensuring agility and accuracy.
- Empowering Your Team: Demonstrate empathetic leadership that inspires, motivates, and develops colleagues while fostering a culture aligned with company values and wellbeing strategies.
WHAT YOU WILL BRING
- Experience of leading teams within a supply chain environment.
- Management and development of a high‑performing cross‑functional team culture with an emphasis on embedding best practice and continuous learning.
- ERP systems knowledge including MRP, production planning and inventory control systems and processes.
- Production planning, materials requirements planning experience.
- Demonstrated experience of continuous improvement.
- Working within an S&OP/IBP cycle.
- Data visualisation tools capability such as Power BI or Tableau.
- Commercially savvy with a good general supply chain and business understanding.
- Proficiency in creating ‘What if’ scenarios and sensitivity analyses in Excel, driving actionable insights, identifying trends, issues and recommending improvement action.
- An understanding of safety stock calculations, reorder point formulas, and economic order quantity (EOQ) models.
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)
- Save as you Earn Share Scheme
- Option to join our private medical cover scheme
- Enhanced Primary Carers leave and sick pay
- 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
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 first‑stage interview via Microsoft Teams and second‑stage interviews face‑to‑face. 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 & Inventory Planning Team Leader in Newton-le-Willows employer: Nichols
Nichols is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee wellbeing and development, offering a vibrant work culture where innovation and teamwork thrive. As a Supply & Inventory Planning Team Leader, you will enjoy a range of benefits including 25 days holiday, private medical cover, and opportunities for community volunteering, all while playing a pivotal role in optimising supply chain processes and delivering outstanding service to customers. Join us in our mission to 'Make Life Taste Better' and be part of a diverse team that values your unique contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply & Inventory Planning Team Leader in Newton-le-Willows
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the supply chain industry, especially those who work at Nichols or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to supply and inventory planning. Think about how you can showcase your leadership skills and problem-solving abilities, as these are key in this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your data skills! Be ready to discuss how you've used tools like Excel or Power BI to drive insights in past roles. This will demonstrate your ability to innovate and optimise processes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at Nichols.
We think you need these skills to ace Supply & Inventory Planning Team Leader in Newton-le-Willows
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Supply & Inventory Planning role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant supply chain achievements to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our mission of 'Deliver WOW'. Share specific examples of how you've solved complex challenges in the past.
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since data visualisation is key, mention your experience with tools like Power BI or Tableau. We love seeing how you can turn data into actionable insights, so don’t hold back on those examples!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nichols
✨Know Your Supply Chain Inside Out
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of supply chain processes, especially those related to inventory management. Be ready to discuss how you’ve optimised stock deployment strategies in the past and how you can apply that experience to the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've empowered teams in previous roles. Think about specific instances where you motivated your team to achieve goals or implemented continuous improvement initiatives.
✨Be Data Savvy
Familiarise yourself with data visualisation tools like Power BI or Tableau, as well as Excel for creating 'What if' scenarios. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve used data to drive decisions and improve inventory accuracy in your previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Think of complex challenges you've faced in inventory management and how you resolved them. Be ready to share your thought process and the steps you took to ensure seamless service to customers while minimising risks.
