At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and improve the S&OP process for a growing food business in London.
- Company: Dynamic food company focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a vibrant team and influence key business decisions.
- Why this job: Shape the future of supply chain processes and drive impactful change.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG supply chains and strong leadership skills required.
I am excited to be partnering with a growing food business looking to appoint a Head of S&OP to join their team in London (3 days in the office). This is a newly created role that will play a critical part in shaping and embedding a best-in-class S&OP process across the business. You will lead the alignment of demand, supply, inventory, production, and financial plans, ensuring the business can effectively balance service, cost, and cash objectives while supporting future growth.
Working closely with both commercial and operational teams, you will drive forecasting excellence, enhance decision-making, and build a culture of collaboration and accountability. In this role, you will:
- Own and continuously improve the end-to-end S&OP process, ensuring effective collaboration across teams.
- Drive demand and supply planning performance through improved forecast accuracy, inventory optimisation, and capacity management.
- Lead medium- and long-term planning activities, including scenario modelling, supplier risk management, capacity planning, and NPD launches.
- Own key business KPIs, including OTIF, forecast accuracy, and waste, using data and insights to drive continuous improvement and informed decision-making.
- Build and develop high-performing planning teams while influencing senior stakeholders across the business to achieve alignment and execution.
- Drive governance, accountability, and data-driven decision-making across the planning function and wider organisation.
About you:
- Extensive experience within Food FMCG supply chains across demand, supply, and production planning.
- Proven experience leading or playing a key role in a mature S&OP process.
- Strong people leadership skills with a track record of building, developing, and motivating teams.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the gravitas to influence senior leaders and drive cross-functional engagement.
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to balance attention to detail with broader strategic objectives.
- Proven ability to identify opportunities for improvement across processes, systems, and people, and successfully implement change in a fast-paced environment.
Head of S&OP in London employer: Pod Talent Ltd
Pod Talent Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that values expertise and innovation in the field of global trade compliance. With a hybrid working model based in London, employees benefit from a flexible environment that promotes work-life balance, alongside opportunities for professional growth and development in a supportive team. The company fosters a collaborative atmosphere where your contributions are recognised, making it a rewarding place to advance your career in supply chain compliance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of S&OP in London
✨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 Pod Talent Ltd, 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 Head of S&OP.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of S&OP in London
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 Pod Talent Ltd. 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 Pod Talent Ltd 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 Pod Talent Ltd
✨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 Pod Talent Ltd.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Pod Talent Ltd
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Pod Talent Ltd 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!
