At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data-driven supply chain planning and optimisation across our food manufacturing network.
- Company: Join Pilgrim's Europe, a leader in innovative supply chain solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy life assurance, employee discounts, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture focused on ownership, determination, and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact through data-driven decision making in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Supply Chain or related field; experience in supply chain planning preferred.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We’re excited to be recruiting for a newly created Supply Chain Planning Lead role within our Central Planning team at Pilgrim’s Europe. This is a high-impact, office-based role in Uxbridge — aligned to Pilgrim’s Europe way of working, where collaboration, visibility, and cross-functional partnership help drive faster decision-making, stronger development, and better business results. The role will focus on developing robust, data-driven supply plans across our food manufacturing network — balancing service, cost, capacity, inventory, and operational performance.
You’ll work cross-functionally with operations, logistics, agriculture, procurement, finance, and planning teams to drive smarter decision-making through optimisation tools, scenario modelling, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex supply chain challenges, influencing stakeholders, and operating in a fast-paced FMCG environment.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Develop and maintain data-driven supply planning and optimisation models
- Run scenario analysis to support operational and strategic decision-making
- Translate business data into clear planning assumptions and actionable insights
- Support S&OP, S&OE, and long-term planning cycles
- Improve planning processes, KPI tracking, and data quality across the network
- Collaborate closely with factories, logistics, agriculture, procurement, and finance teams
- Communicate risks, constraints, and planning recommendations to stakeholders at all levels
- Drive continuous improvement across supply chain planning systems and processes
What We’re Looking For
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
- Experience within food manufacturing, meat, FMCG, or supply chain planning
- Experience using supply chain planning / optimisation tools
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
- Ability to operate effectively in evolving or low-maturity environments
- Advanced Excel, dashboard reporting, and PowerPoint skills
- Experience with scenario modelling and data-driven planning
Qualifications & Experience
- Degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Mathematics, Agriculture, or similar
- Experience working with supply chain planning and optimisation systems
Why Join Pilgrim’s Europe?
At Pilgrim’s Europe, we’re building smarter, more connected supply chains that support the future growth of our business. You’ll benefit from:
- Life assurance
- Employee discount platform and retail benefits
- Career development and progression opportunities within a growing international business
- Exposure to cross-functional teams across planning, operations, logistics, agriculture, and finance
- Opportunities to influence and improve large-scale supply chain operations
- A collaborative culture built around Ownership, Determination, and Continuous Improvement
- The chance to make a real impact through data-driven decision making and optimisation
Strategic Supply Chain Planning Lead employer: Pilgrims Europe
At Pilgrim's Europe, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a collaborative and supportive work culture that prioritises food safety and quality excellence. Our team in Attleborough benefits from continuous professional development opportunities, competitive remuneration, and a commitment to innovation in food safety practices, making it a rewarding place to grow your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Supply Chain Planning Lead
✨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 Pilgrims Europe, 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 Strategic Supply Chain Planning Lead.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Supply Chain Planning Lead
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 Pilgrims Europe. 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 Pilgrims Europe 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 Pilgrims Europe
✨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 Pilgrims Europe.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Pilgrims Europe
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Pilgrims Europe 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!
