Forecasting and Stock Manager

About us.

We are The Very Group and we’re here to help families get more out of life. We know that our customers work hard for their families and have a lot to balance in their busy lives. That’s why we combine amazing brands and products with flexible payment options on Very.co.uk to help them say yes to the things they love. We’re just as passionate about helping our people get more out of life too; building careers with real growth, a sense of purpose, belonging and well-being.

About the team.

We are seeking a Forecasting & Stock Manager to join our exciting and dynamic Toys department based at our Speke Head Office. This role is essential for providing effective leadership, support, and guidance to our Forecasting and Stock Planners. You will leverage your expertise to enhance their skills and knowledge, serving as a single point of contact for the wider department and Senior Management Team regarding forecasting and stock health.

About the role.

As the Forecasting & Stock Manager, you will:

• Own stock planning: Manage all aspects of stock planning within your assigned category, collaborating with the Senior Category Manager to develop and maintain a robust trade plan that aligns with budgeted KPIs.
• Strategic oversight: Oversee forecasting and stock planning activities for the entire department, ensuring strategic direction and alignment with departmental goals.
• Supplier relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and senior managers, such as the Head of Supply Chain, to support long-term stock planning and strategy formulation.
• Leadership and mentorship: Provide leadership and guidance to Forecasting and Stock Planners, sharing knowledge to foster their growth and development.
• Single point of contact: Act as the voice for the entire department, providing regular updates on stock and forecasting health, and facilitating meetings with Forecasting and Stock Planners.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Senior Category Manager with ownership of the P&L for the aligned category.
• Provide strategic guidance and insights to department Forecasting and Stock Planners on stock planning processes, methodologies, and best practices.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, acting as an escalation point for brands.
• Serve as a single point of contact for senior leaders, providing regular updates on department stock and forecasting health.
• Demonstrate leadership skills and experience in guiding and leading a team.
• Provide mentorship, support, and direction to others, fostering their growth and development.

About you.

We know our expectations are high, as are our ambitions as a business. We understand that one candidate may not have all the experience listed below.

Skills and Experience:

• Strong commercial acumen with a demonstrated analytical capability.
• Expert knowledge and experience in stock and sales management.
• Deep understanding of retail merchandising principles, including product assortment planning, inventory management, pricing strategies, and promotional activities.
• Ability to prepare and present reports and insights to senior management, providing recommendations based on data-driven analysis.
• Strategic thinking and the ability to develop long-term plans and strategies for the forecasting and stock planning function.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills to collaborate effectively with suppliers, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience in guiding a team.
• Ability to provide mentorship, support, and direction to team members, fostering their growth and development.

The ideal candidate will be ambitious, driven, and proactive, capable of leading business change and driving benefits through adoption and a culture of continuous improvement. Strong numerical, analytical, and communication skills are essential. Experience in merchandising, stock planning, statistics, or other commercial roles is a great platform for anyone interested in applying.

How to apply

Please note that the talent acquisition team are managing this vacancy directly, and if successful in securing this role, you will be required to undertake a credit, CIFAS, Right to Work checks and if a specific requirement of your role a DBS (criminal records) check. Should your application progress we require you to let the team know if there is anything you need to disclose in relation to any of these checks prior to them being undertaken, including any unspent criminal convictions.

What happens next?

Our talent acquisition team will be in touch if you’re successful so keep an eye on your emails! We’ll arrange a short call to learn more about you, as well as answer any questions you have. If it feels like we’re a good match, we’ll share your CV with the hiring manager to review. Our interview process is tailored to each role and can be in-person or held remotely.

You can expect a two-stage interview process for this position:

1st stage– An informal 30-45 minute video call with the hiring team to discuss your skills and relevant experience. This is a great opportunity to find out more about the role and to ask any questions you may have.

2nd Stage– A one-hour formal interview where you can expect both competency and technical questions.

As an inclusive employer please do let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.

If you’d like to know more about our interviews, you can find out here.

Equal opportunities

We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.