At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform data into insights that drive key business decisions and support planning processes.
- Company: Join Tarmac, a leading company focused on people and career growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy bonuses, enhanced holidays, pension schemes, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for training and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping operational strategies and collaborating across teams.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and experience with data analysis tools.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about turning data into insight that drives real business decisions? This is a fantastic opportunity to join a nationally critical planning function at the heart of our organisation. As a Sales & Operational Planning Analyst, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping how we balance customer demand, operational capability and financial performance. Sitting at the centre of our national Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning (SIOP) process, you’ll work with teams across commercial, supply chain, operations and finance to deliver accurate, trusted plans that inform senior decision-making and support sustainable growth. This role is ideal for a detail-driven, analytically curious professional who enjoys working with complex data and making a visible impact on business performance.
What you’ll be doing:
- Gather, validate and consolidate demand, supply, inventory and financial data to ensure accuracy and integrity across the Sales & Operational Planning process.
- Analyse forecast accuracy, identify trends and root causes, and provide recommendations to improve planning performance.
- Reconcile demand and supply plans, identifying risks, constraints and opportunities ahead of pre-Sales & Operational Planning and executive Sales & Operational Planning forums.
- Support the structured monthly Sales & Operational Planning cycle, coordinating inputs, preparing meeting materials and tracking agreed actions.
- Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards, executive summaries and MD-level packs that translate complex data into clear, actionable insight.
- Analyse inventory levels, production requirements and stock risks to support optimisation and operational planning.
- Monitor volume profiles and transport capacity, highlighting opportunities to improve logistics efficiency.
- Work closely with commercial, supply chain, operations, finance and MESS colleagues to align plans and resolve data conflicts.
- Track planned versus actual performance, producing variance analysis and highlighting areas for management focus.
- Support continuous improvement by enhancing planning processes, automating reporting and improving data flows, including the use of Anaplan and Power BI.
- Respond to ad-hoc analytical requests and communicate insights clearly to a range of stakeholders.
What we’re looking for:
- Exceptional attention to detail, with a strong focus on data accuracy and quality.
- A naturally curious, analytical approach and the ability to get behind the numbers.
- Strong organisation skills and the ability to manage multiple workstreams to tight deadlines.
- A collaborative, proactive style, with confidence working across functions and levels.
- Clear communication skills, with the ability to explain complex analysis to non-technical audiences.
- Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced, cyclical planning environment.
Experience & background:
- Experience in supply chain planning, demand planning, operations analysis or a similar analytical role.
- Strong experience in data analysis, reporting and visualisation.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience using business intelligence tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
- An understanding of forecasting, demand planning or S&OP/IBP processes (desirable).
- Experience with planning or ERP systems such as Anaplan or SAP is advantageous.
- A degree in a relevant analytical discipline such as Business, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Engineering or similar.
Why Tarmac:
We don’t just offer a job, we offer a career. Alongside this role, you’ll have access to industry-leading rewards, development opportunities, and a culture that puts people first, including:
- Bonus scheme.
- Enhanced holiday entitlement.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- Access to the Tarmac Reward website with discounts on retailers, holidays, etc.
- Access to our Employee Assistance helpline for free and confidential advice.
- Access to join our Employee Communities (employee networks) we currently have nine communities inc. (REACH) Religious, Ethnic, Cultural Heritage, LGBTQ+, Parents & carers, Ability, Wellbeing, Female voice and menopause.
- Training and development opportunities.
Tarmac is committed to being a Forces-friendly employer. If you’re coming from a military background, we’ll support your transition and help you build a successful career with us. We’re proud to be part of CRH, and even prouder to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know, we’re here to support you.
Ready to build your future? Click ‘Apply’ to get started. Please note: we sometimes close roles early due to high interest, so don’t wait too long!
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales & Operational Planning Analyst in Solihull
✨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 Tarmac, 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 Sales & Operational Planning Analyst.
We think you need these skills to ace Sales & Operational Planning Analyst in Solihull
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 Tarmac. 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 Tarmac 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 Tarmac
✨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 Tarmac.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Tarmac
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Tarmac 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!
