Head of Supply Chain Planning (S&OP)

Job description

About

A rare opportunity has arisen for an experienced supply chain planning leader to take ownership of a newly created Head of S&OP position within a high-growth international consumer goods business. This is a strategically important role with significant influence over inventory availability, customer service, working capital and operational performance across multiple global markets. Competitive remuneration to suit experience, contact me for more information on this. There are also significant opportunities for ongoing development within this fast growing company.

Your new company

A rapidly expanding international brand with an ambitious growth agenda and a strong reputation within its sector. Operating across wholesale and e-commerce channels, the business sources products from a broad supplier network across Asia and distributes inventory through a multi-region warehouse network serving customers throughout the UK, Europe and North America. As growth continues, the organisation is investing heavily in strengthening its planning capability and creating greater alignment between commercial demand and supply execution.

Your new role

Reporting directly to the Supply Chain Director, you will lead the end-to-end Sales & Operations Planning process, ensuring inventory is positioned effectively across multiple international distribution locations. Working closely with regional commercial leaders, merchandising, buying, operations and finance teams, you will lead the monthly demand planning cycle, challenge forecasts where necessary and ensure business initiatives, product launches and promotional activity are accurately reflected within plans.You will translate demand forecasts and stock investment plans into a robust supply strategy, balancing product availability, working capital and operational costs. Responsibilities will include determining stock policies, safety stock levels and inventory cover requirements, particularly for core and seasonal product ranges. You will oversee inventory deployment across warehouse locations, manage replenishment and rebalancing decisions, and evaluate transport and shipment strategies to optimise both service and cost. The logistics team will execute in line with your plans.

The role will also involve driving capacity planning across warehousing and logistics operations, identifying and mitigating supply chain risks, supporting inventory-related financial planning and providing meaningful performance insight through KPI ownership. As the planning function evolves, you will play a key role in improving processes, enhancing data quality, introducing planning tools and building a high-performing team.

What you'll need to succeed

To be successful, you will bring significant S&OP leadership experience ideally gained within a multi-site, international supply chain environment. Experience working for an apparel, footwear, lifestyle or similarly product-led consumer brand would be highly advantageous, particularly where inventory is sourced from multiple factories and distributed through regional warehouse networks.You will have a strong understanding of planning concepts including OTB, WSSI, stock cover, safety stock, inventory turns, forecast accuracy, service levels and OTIF performance. Previous experience building and embedding planning processes within a growing business, particularly where systems and data are still developing, will be highly valued.

The successful candidate will possess excellent analytical capability, strong commercial judgement and the confidence to influence senior stakeholders across merchandising, commercial, buying, operations and finance functions. Experience across both wholesale and e-commerce channels, along with exposure to ERP or dedicated planning system implementation projects, would be beneficial.

What you'll get in return

In return, you will join a successful and ambitious organisation at an exciting stage of its growth journey. This is a highly visible leadership position offering the opportunity to shape planning strategy, influence key business decisions and build a best-in-class S&OP function. The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary and benefits package together with excellent long-term career development opportunities within a growing international business. Some flexibility but the role holder should be on-site 4 days per week.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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