Supply and Inventory Planner

We are 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. Our varied brand portfolio spans the still, carbonated, post-mix and frozen drinks categories. 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. 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.

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.

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.

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.