Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage stock levels and optimise inventory for a leading food wholesaler.
- Company: Join a respected and growing speciality food and drink wholesaler.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, private healthcare, and a performance bonus scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced supply chain environment while working with diverse products.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in inventory or supply planning preferred.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a friendly, collaborative team culture.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Our client, a growing and respected speciality food and drink wholesaler, is seeking a proactive and commercially minded Inventory Planner to join their Operations team. This is a key role within the business, focused on balancing stock availability with margin optimisation while minimising waste and risk. This is an excellent opportunity for an analytical, detail-driven individual who thrives in a fast-paced supply chain environment and enjoys working closely with suppliers and internal teams to drive performance and service levels.
Reporting to the Supply Chain Manager, the Inventory Planner will play a crucial role in maintaining optimal stock levels across a diverse product range. You will be responsible for making informed purchasing decisions that maximise customer availability while protecting profitability and reducing excess or obsolete stock. You will work closely with suppliers, third-party logistics partners (3PL), and internal teams to ensure smooth inbound operations and high levels of fulfilment.
Responsibilities
- Monitor and analyse inventory levels to ensure optimal stock holding.
- Place purchase orders with suppliers to maximise availability without overstocking.
- Identify and mitigate risks related to stock shortages or excess inventory.
- Maximise margin opportunities through tactical purchasing where possible.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers and logistics partners.
- Work closely with the buying team to influence product ranging decisions.
- Conduct regular inventory audits and resolve any discrepancies.
- Manage relationships with third-party logistics (3PL) providers.
- Oversee daily inbound deliveries, chasing missing shipments and resolving issues with suppliers or goods-in teams.
- Review daily fulfilment performance, investigate issues, and communicate updates across the business.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives across processes and systems.
Personal Profile
Essential skills and attributes:
- Strong numerical and analytical ability with excellent attention to detail.
- Highly organised with the ability to prioritise effectively in a fast-moving environment.
- Confident communicator who can build relationships across teams and with external partners.
- Resilient, resourceful, and comfortable making commercial decisions.
- Data-driven mindset with the ability to turn insights into action.
- Comfortable working in a collaborative, values-driven culture.
- Genuine interest in food and sustainability is advantageous.
Desirable experience:
- 2–3 years’ experience in Inventory Planning, Supply Planning, or a similar role.
- Experience in the food and drink or FMCG sector.
- Knowledge of S&OP processes.
- Experience delivering high levels of customer service.
- Strong Excel skills; good working knowledge of Word and Outlook.
Hours
37.5 hours per week
Hybrid working: minimum three days per week in the office
Package
- Competitive salary
- Company pension
- Private healthcare (after 6 months’ service)
- Company performance bonus scheme
- Modern office environment in a high-street location
- Friendly, collaborative, forward-thinking team culture
To apply, please send your comprehensive CV in strict confidence, quoting the reference above and for the attention of Jon Hemming-Nash. Please include current salary details within your application. Due to high response levels, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not received a response within one week, regrettably your application has not been successful on this occasion.
Inventory Planner employer: The People Co
Contact Detail:
The People Co Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Inventory Planner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and values, especially in the food and drink sector. This will help you tailor your answers and show you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your analytical skills! Since the role requires strong numerical ability, brush up on relevant tools and techniques. You might even want to run through some mock scenarios to showcase your problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Inventory Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Inventory Planner role. Highlight your analytical skills and experience in inventory management, as these are key for us. Use specific examples that showcase your ability to balance stock availability with margin optimisation.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to emphasise your strong numerical and analytical abilities. We love detail-driven individuals, so include any relevant achievements or projects that demonstrate your attention to detail and organisational skills in a fast-paced environment.
Communicate Clearly: As a confident communicator, it’s important to convey your ideas clearly in your application. Make sure to express how you can build relationships with suppliers and internal teams, as collaboration is key for us at StudySmarter.
Include Salary Details: Remember to include your current salary details in your application. This helps us understand your expectations and ensures transparency from the get-go. Apply through our website to make the process smooth and easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at The People Co
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Inventory Planner, you'll need to demonstrate your strong numerical and analytical skills. Brush up on key metrics related to inventory management, such as stock turnover rates and margin optimisation. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to make informed decisions in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
This role requires someone who can prioritise effectively in a fast-paced environment. Prepare examples of how you've managed multiple tasks or projects simultaneously. Highlight any tools or methods you use to stay organised and ensure smooth operations.
✨Build Relationships
Since the job involves working closely with suppliers and internal teams, be prepared to talk about your experience in building and maintaining professional relationships. Share specific examples of how you've collaborated with others to achieve common goals, especially in challenging situations.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Food and Sustainability
Having a genuine interest in food and sustainability can set you apart. Research the company’s values and initiatives in these areas, and be ready to discuss how your personal interests align with their mission. This will show that you're not just looking for a job, but are genuinely invested in their success.
