Supply and Demand Planning Manager in Andover

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family‑owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in‑store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others.

Purpose Statement

Responsible for the provision, ongoing management and delivery of the short/medium and long-term bakery master production schedule/plan. To lead and support day‑to‑day planning activities (materials, resources de‑confliction) ensuring on time in full delivery (OTIF) to customers. Responsible for the management and maintenance of the ‘Plan’ within excel. Identify, implement and coach others in operations planning best‑practice activities to ensure the plan incorporates the wider requirements of the team with the ultimate goal of meeting customer needs. Balancing customer requirements, with the needs of operations in combination with ensuring Finished Goods Inventory is maintained at the most cost efficient levels to help improve working capital. Monitoring and reporting on stock at risk both finished goods and raw materials, in terms of slow moving, obsolete, and putting in place processes to provide relevant information to R&D and Commercial teams to make product related decisions. To lead the Planning team to ensure supply and demand planning activities meet the business demands and needs.

Key Accountabilities/Outcomes

• Manage a team of professional planners who are seen as subject matter experts in the business and help influence the decision that the business makes on movement of raw materials and finished goods.
• Support the business Integrated Business Planning (IBP) process for alignment of supply and demand.
• To play a proactive, collaborative role within the team and work cross functionally and effectively leveraging key stakeholders to make well informed decisions.
• Oversee the production of finished goods (make to stock) and Sales Orders (make to order) and appropriate schedules for work over short, medium and long term planning horizons, integrating resource planning, materials, estimating and forecasting.
• Ensure that a balanced and de‑conflicted programme of work is delivered to Production.
• Report any capability or capacity constraints to allow for priority production decisions to be made.
• Provide the direction and management of the operations planning team.
• Develop the capability and competence of the team driving high performance.
• Perform and engage with the cross functional team (Manufacturing Engineering, Procurement, Materials Management, Production, R&D, Sales), and provide production planning leadership as required.
• Responsible for the development of ‘fit for purpose’ Planning procedures, processes & policies working with the Senior Leadership Team, encouraging best practice and a culture of Continuous improvement across all planning & materials management processes.
• Monitor and ensure compliance to planning procedures throughout.
• Ensure accurate and concise information flow regarding the supply plan at the ‘weekly planning commitment meeting’.
• Keep all appropriate planning spreadsheets updated; including but not limited to the plan, the stock management sheet, capacity plan.
• Provide immediate updates to Account Managers regarding potential supply issues.
• Aim to meet all supply KPI’s covering supply and demand forecasting, in‑full supply and stock at risk management.
• Ensure a robust process is in place to manage slow moving and obsolete stock, carrying out actions to ensure minimal inventory stock at risk levels.
• Ensure that weekly shipping priority communications are included on the weekly plan.
• Own and lead the planning and MRP transition to SAP S4/HANA.
• Provide support to other departments and carry out any other duties as necessary to support the wider business.

You must comply with Rich Products Health and Safety policies and procedures at all times.

Knowledge / Skills / Experience

Critical

• Experience in a senior planning role.
• Experience of working in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record in advanced Microsoft Excel skills and overall analytics.
• Understanding of demand management, forecasting and supply management.
• Understanding of ERP and MRP systems preferably SAP.
• Experience and knowledge of planning parameters and processes.
• Proven ability to deliver results, in a customer focussed environment.
• Experience of identifying forecast demands and trends to facilitate accurate and timely manufacturing plans / procurement needs and material stock requirements (desirable).
• Supply Chain processes.
• Understanding of raw materials, distribution of goods and manufacturing processes, ideally from a food/ bakery background.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong commercial acumen.
• Experience of working in a fast paced agile environment.

Desirable

• Experience in managing and motivating teams working in a cross functional environment.
• Supply Chain strategies.
• Supply Chain processes.

Rich Products Corporation welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.