Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Sales & Operations Planning cycle and drive cross-functional collaboration.
- Company: Join a dynamic FMCG company focused on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, competitive pension, and generous holiday allowance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by improving processes and driving efficiency in planning.
- Qualifications: Proven S&OP leadership experience and strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a supportive team culture and career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Reporting to the Supply Chain Director, the Head of S&OP will own the end‑to‑end Sales & Operations Planning cycle, ensuring alignment across demand, supply, and financial plans. Acting as a key cross‑functional leader, you will work closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain, suppliers, and customers to establish a single, aligned plan that drives service excellence, efficiency, and long‑term growth. You will lead a team with 3 direct reports and responsibility for a wider planning and analyst community, embedding strong governance, accountability, and continuous improvement across the planning function.
Responsibilities
- Own and lead the end‑to‑end S&OP cycle, including demand planning, supply planning, reconciliation, and executive review.
- Establish and maintain a “one number” consensus plan across all functions.
- Ensure promotional planning, supplier lead times, and capacity constraints are fully embedded into demand and supply plans.
- Drive the evolution of the S&OP process towards Integrated Business Planning (IBP).
- Significantly improve forecast accuracy and reduce forecast bias through enhanced processes, tools, and analytics.
- Embed demand signals, promotional analysis, and scenario planning to manage demand volatility and supply risks.
- Plan inventory to true customer demand, reducing reliance on supplier‑driven commitments.
- Reduce stockholding days and improve inventory efficiency, supporting substantial working capital release.
- Lead, develop, and coach Planning and Analyst teams, building capability, accountability, and succession readiness.
- Champion a culture of continuous improvement and data‑driven decision‑making.
- Embed BI, Slimstock, and reporting tools into daily operations, improving visibility and insight.
- Automate planning processes where possible, reducing manual administration and improving accuracy.
- Deliver clear, timely KPI dashboards to support senior leadership decision‑making.
- Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders across Commercial, Finance, Supply Chain, Customer Services, and external partners to ensure alignment and execution.
Personal Profile
- Proven experience in S&OP leadership or senior demand planning roles within FMCG, retail, or consumer goods.
- Strong track record of improving forecast accuracy, reducing inventory, and releasing working capital.
- Deep knowledge of forecasting and planning systems such as Slimstock, SAP APO, or Anaplan.
- Experience leading cross‑functional planning processes and influencing at senior leadership level.
- Strong analytical, numerical, and problem‑solving skills with high commercial and financial acumen.
- Confident communicator with the ability to engage, challenge, and align senior stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to lead change, embed new processes, and drive organisational maturity.
- Experience with BI tools such as Power BI or Tableau is desirable.
- Exposure to supplier negotiations, logistics, and customer service collaboration would be advantageous.
- A collaborative, accountable, and proactive leadership style with a strong focus on team development.
Hours
- 37.5 hours per week
- Early finish on Fridays
- Hybrid working with up to 2 days per week working from home
Package:
- Private Healthcare
- Competitive Pension
- Discretionary Bonus
- Staff Discount
- Car Lease Scheme
- Group Income Protection
- Life Assurance
- 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays and birthday)
Head of S&OP in England employer: The People Co. / Supply Jobs
Contact Detail:
The People Co. / Supply Jobs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of S&OP in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work in S&OP or related fields. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s S&OP processes. Show us you understand their challenges and how you can bring value. Tailor your examples to highlight your experience with improving forecast accuracy and reducing inventory.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply; engage! When you submit your application through our website, follow up with a quick email to express your enthusiasm. It shows initiative and keeps you on their radar.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on industry trends and tools like Slimstock or SAP APO. Mentioning your knowledge of these during interviews can set you apart from other candidates and show you’re ready to hit the ground running.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of S&OP in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of S&OP role. Highlight your experience in S&OP leadership and any relevant achievements in improving forecast accuracy or reducing inventory. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, don’t forget to showcase your leadership style and any successful team development initiatives you've led. We love to see examples of how you've built capability and accountability within your teams.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively, so let that shine through in your application!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. Make sure to include your current salary details as requested, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at The People Co. / Supply Jobs
✨Know Your S&OP Inside Out
Make sure you understand the end-to-end Sales & Operations Planning cycle thoroughly. Brush up on key concepts like demand planning, supply planning, and reconciliation. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're ready to take ownership of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in the past, especially in cross-functional settings. Highlight your experience in coaching and developing team members, as well as how you've driven continuous improvement in previous roles. This will demonstrate your capability to lead and inspire others.
✨Be Data-Driven
Familiarise yourself with forecasting and planning systems like Slimstock or SAP APO. Be ready to discuss how you've used data analytics to improve forecast accuracy and reduce inventory in your previous positions. This will illustrate your analytical skills and your ability to make informed decisions.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've collaborated with various stakeholders in the past, from sales to finance. Prepare to share specific instances where you aligned different functions towards a common goal. This will highlight your communication skills and your ability to influence at a senior level.
