At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead demand and supply planning to shape our supply chain's future.
- Company: Join Sofina Foods, a leader in quality meats and seafood.
- Benefits: Enjoy a car allowance, bonus scheme, pension, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact on our operational capability and commercial growth.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in FMCG or food manufacturing required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Lead our end-to-end demand and supply planning performance, shaping the future of our supply chain by building a highly integrated and resilient planning model.
As our new planning leader, you will take full accountability for our end-to-end planning cycle, ensuring customer demand is seamlessly converted into an executable, cost-effective supply plan. You will link service, inventory, capacity, cost, and cash to drive outcomes, delivering stable plans that protect fill rates, OTIF, and customer confidence.
Leading a high-performing central team, you will drive a major transformation to unify our planning operations and build a consistent, world-class central capability. You will act as the business owner for planning systems, championing simplification and automation so we can safely scale and grow volume alongside our customers.
Working closely with Procurement, Operations, Logistics, Commercial, and Finance, you will translate commercial opportunities into feasible supply plans and represent the planning function at the Senior Leadership level.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Own the end-to-end planning cycle covering demand, supply, capacity, stock, and deployment.
- Deliver stable, executable plans that protect customer confidence and support strategic peak periods.
- Define and enforce best-in-class planning standards, rhythms, KPIs, and controls across all sites.
- Lead stock balancing, redeployment decisions, and working capital outcomes to drive inventory accuracy.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to translate commercial changes into feasible supply plans.
- Lead the planning elements of supply chain transformation programmes, driving continuous improvement and automation.
- Develop and lead a high-performing central planning team, building succession and long-term resilience.
- Proactively forecast planning risks while providing clear options and commercial recommendations.
The Ideal Candidate
- Senior leadership experience in demand and supply planning within FMCG or food manufacturing.
- Proven background in owning demand and customer processes at scale within a complex, multi-site environment.
- Strong commercial and operational judgement with the ability to link planning performance to cash control.
- Experience leading high-complexity supply chains and exposure to major transformation or operating model programmes.
- A calm, structured, and decisive leader who remains grounded in detail under pressure.
- Confident in constructively challenging the status quo and elevating the function with clear, strategic solutions.
Why Sofina Foods?
This is an opportunity to spearhead a major evolution in our supply chain strategy. You will have the autonomy to shape central planning governance and build a high-performing team within a collaborative environment. The role offers immediate responsibility, exposure to senior stakeholders, and the chance to make a lasting, tangible impact on our operational capability and commercial growth.
Company Information
Sofina Foods isn't just a food company - It’s a place to build your future. With a team of over 13,000 people across 40 sites in Canada and Europe, we're passionate about delivering quality meats and seafood products to consumers around the world. Join a company where innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction drive everything we do. At Sofina, you’ll grow your skills, make a real impact, and work with responsibly sourced products from more than 50 protein sources across five continents. Our vision is bold: to be the most successful food company in the world. If you’re looking for a rewarding career in the food industry, there’s a place for you at Sofina Foods.
Equal Opportunities
Sofina Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences – regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Schedule
Monday to Friday
Location
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Hours of Work
Full-time
Director, Demand & Supply Planning in Leeds employer: Sofina Foods Europe
Sofina Foods Europe is an exceptional employer located in Haverhill, Suffolk, offering a dynamic work environment where employees are valued and supported. With a strong focus on safety, hygiene, and quality, the company provides extensive training and growth opportunities for its team members, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence. Joining Sofina means being part of a dedicated team that prioritises both personal development and the highest standards in food manufacturing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Demand & Supply Planning in Leeds
✨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 Sofina Foods 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 Director, Demand & Supply Planning.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Demand & Supply Planning in Leeds
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 Sofina Foods 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 Sofina Foods 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 Sofina Foods 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 Sofina Foods Europe.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Sofina Foods Europe
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Sofina Foods 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!
