At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform Sales & Operational Planning across the UK, ensuring alignment and optimising efficiency.
- Company: Join Tarmac, a leader in building materials with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy a bonus scheme, enhanced holidays, pension contributions, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values your contributions and celebrates diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving change and improving business performance in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Expertise in Sales & Operational Planning, strong analytical skills, and a degree in a related field.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
We are seeking a National Sales & Operational Planning Manager to lead and transform our end‑to‑end Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning process across the UK. This high‑impact, enterprise‑level role sits at the intersection of commercial strategy, operational execution and financial performance.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead the national Sales & Operational Planning cycle, from demand forecasting through to executive decision‑making, ensuring alignment between sales plans, capacity, inventory and financial targets.
- Orchestrate cross‑functional collaboration, bringing together commercial, operations, supply chain and finance leaders to reconcile gaps, assess risk and agree trade‑offs at both pre‑Sales & Operational Planning and executive forums.
- Optimise the national spine and supply network, overseeing capacity reviews, footprint analysis and production planning to maximise efficiency, service and resilience.
- Drive data‑led insight and governance, establishing strong forecast accuracy standards and using tools such as Anaplan and Power BI to create clear executive dashboards and MD summary packs.
- Deliver measurable financial impact, tracking planned versus actual performance and identifying opportunities that generate significant EBITDA improvement year on year.
- Build credibility with senior leaders, confidently communicating complex scenarios and influencing decisions in a fast‑paced, high‑stakes environment.
- Embed process excellence and continuous improvement, strengthening KPIs, stage‑gate discipline and national ways of working across the planning operating model.
- Lead change at scale, playing a key role in the transition from regional to national planning, building capability and ensuring lasting adoption of new processes.
What We Are Looking For
- Deep expertise in Sales & Operational Planning / Integrated Business Planning, with a strong grasp of demand and supply planning best practice within complex, multi‑site environments.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including a clear understanding of P&L dynamics, EBITDA drivers and the levers that impact overall business performance.
- Advanced analytical capability, with experience using planning platforms such as Anaplan, BI tools (Power BI / Tableau) and advanced Excel to turn data into action.
- Exceptional stakeholder influence, able to distil complexity into clear executive narratives and challenge senior leaders constructively without formal authority.
- Broad supply chain and operations knowledge covering capacity planning, inventory optimisation, logistics networks and production scheduling.
- Proven change and transformation experience, with a structured, disciplined approach to implementation, governance and benefit realisation.
- A strategic yet hands‑on mindset, comfortable moving between big‑picture thinking and operational detail, and thriving in ambiguous, high‑pressure situations.
- A degree in business, supply chain, operations, engineering or a related field.
- Formal Sales & Operational Planning / IBP or Lean qualifications are an advantage.
- Experience within building materials, construction products or heavy industry is beneficial but not essential.
Benefits
- Bonus scheme
- Enhanced holiday entitlement
- Contributory pension scheme
- Access to the Tarmac Reward website with discounts on retailers, holidays, etc.
- Employee Assistance helpline for free and confidential advice
- Training and development opportunities
A Tarmac employee is a valued member of the team, and we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know – we’re here to support you.
National Sales & Operational Planning Manager in Solihull employer: Tarmac
At Tarmac, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As a National Sales & Operational Planning Manager, you will benefit from comprehensive training and development opportunities, a competitive bonus scheme, and enhanced holiday entitlement, all while working in a diverse and inclusive environment that values your contributions. Join us in driving meaningful change and making a measurable impact across the UK, where your expertise will be recognised and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land National Sales & Operational Planning Manager in Solihull
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to Sales & Operational Planning. We recommend using the STAR method to structure your answers – it’ll help you shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills! Bring examples of how you've used tools like Anaplan or Power BI to drive decisions. This will demonstrate your capability to turn data into actionable insights.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace National Sales & Operational Planning Manager in Solihull
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the National Sales & Operational Planning Manager role. Highlight your experience in sales and operational planning, and don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills and any relevant tools you’ve used like Anaplan or Power BI.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Talk about your experience with cross-functional collaboration and how you’ve driven change in previous positions. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on measurable achievements. Did you improve forecast accuracy or drive significant EBITDA growth? Use numbers to back up your claims and show us the impact you’ve made in previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tarmac
✨Know Your Numbers
As a National Sales & Operational Planning Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of P&L dynamics and EBITDA drivers. Brush up on these concepts and be ready to discuss how you've used data to influence decisions in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Familiarity with tools like Anaplan and Power BI is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've leveraged these platforms to create insights or dashboards that drove business performance. Be specific about the outcomes of your analyses.
✨Master Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various teams. Think of instances where you've successfully orchestrated collaboration between departments. Highlight your ability to reconcile gaps and assess risks while influencing stakeholders without formal authority.
✨Emphasise Change Management Experience
Given the focus on leading change at scale, prepare to discuss your experience with transformation projects. Share specific examples of how you've implemented new processes and ensured their adoption, showcasing your structured approach to governance and benefit realisation.
