Supply Manager in Preston

This is a hybrid role, requiring three days per week on site in Blackburn and allowing two days per week working from home. As regular attendance at our Blackburn office is required, applicants must live within a reasonable commuting distance and be able to travel to the office three days per week.

Overview of Role

The Finished Goods Supply & Inventory Manager is responsible for ensuring the consistent availability of externally manufactured finished goods across the Pets Choice portfolio.

Working closely with outsourced manufacturing partners and suppliers you will manage stock replenishment, inventory levels, supplier performance, forecasting alignment and supply continuity.

The role focuses on inventory control, supply planning, operational supplier management and service delivery, ensuring the business maintains excellent customer service while balancing working capital and stock risk

Main Responsibilities

Inventory & Stock Management

• Manage inventory levels for externally sourced finished goods.
• Raise and manage purchase orders to maintain agreed stockholding levels.
• Monitor forecast demand and align replenishment plans accordingly.
• Review stock cover, slow-moving stock, excess inventory and stock shortages.
• Proactively manage supply risk to avoid customer service failures.
• Ensure optimal stock availability whilst balancing working capital requirements.
• Develop and maintain reporting and dashboards to improve stock visibility and decision making.
• Lead regular stock review meetings with key stakeholders.

Supplier Management

• Act as the primary contact for outsourced finished goods suppliers.
• Build strong working relationships with manufacturing and supply partners.
• Monitor supplier performance against agreed service levels.
• Track supplier OTIF (On Time In Full) performance and recovery actions.
• Manage lead times, production schedules and delivery commitments.
• Escalate and resolve supply issues to minimise business disruption.
• Support annual supplier reviews and performance improvement initiatives.

Supply Chain Coordination

• Work closely with Planning, Customer Service, Warehousing and Commercial teams.
• Ensure demand forecasts are translated into achievable supply plans.
• Support new product launches by coordinating inventory build and supplier readiness.
• Manage supply chain risks and implement contingency plans where required.
• Monitor inbound deliveries and ensure accurate information is communicated internally.
• Collaborate with Technical and Quality teams to resolve supplier quality concerns.

Systems, Analysis & Reporting

• Maintain accurate supplier and inventory data within ERP/MRP systems.
• Produce regular reports covering inventory health, service levels, aged stock and availability.
• Analyse trends and recommend actions to improve stock management performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, planning accuracy and inventory efficiency.
• Support continuous improvement activities across Supply Chain and Procurement

Skills, Experience and Qualifications required

Essential

• Experience in stock control, inventory management, supply planning or finished goods procurement.
• Experience working with externally manufactured or outsourced products.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems.
• Excellent Excel capability.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple suppliers and product categories simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of supply chain principles.
• Problem-solving mindset with strong attention to detail.

Desirable

• FMCG experience.
• Pet industry experience.
• Knowledge of inventory optimisation techniques.
• Experience managing overseas suppliers.
• Understanding of demand planning and forecasting processes.