Supply Planner

A fantastic opportunity for a Supply Planner to join a leading independent importer and distributor of Ambient Food Products as they continue to grow both their customer and product base.

The Supply Planner is responsible for maintaining product availability and inventory at appropriate levels. The role converts forecasts and commercial requirements into timely supply plans and purchase orders, follows suppliers closely, and manages risks to inventory. Providing accurate visibility of stock, inbound supply, shortages and excess inventory, enabling the business to meet customer requirements while controlling working capital and avoiding unnecessary stock exposure.

This role is 5 days a week in office in Reigate.

Key responsibilities of the Supply Planner

• Translate forecasts, customer requirements, and lead times, into purchase requirements.
• Raise and maintain accurate purchase orders in line with approvals and agreed supply plans.
• Maintain regular contact with suppliers to confirm production, readiness, shipment and delivery dates.
• Proactively chase outstanding information and orders, challenge slippage and secure recovery plans where commitments are at risk.
• Monitor stockholding, stock cover, availability, inbound supply and projected demand.
• Recommend actions to address shortages, excess stock, ageing inventory and slow-moving lines.
• Review changes in forecasts, customer demand and promotional activity.
• Highlight material variances and adjust supply plans and purchase orders where authorised.
• Maintain accurate supplier, order, lead-time and delivery information in company systems.
• Monitor delivery performance, responsiveness and adherence to confirmed dates. Provide evidence for supplier reviews and follow up agreed corrective actions.
• Provide clear, timely updates on product availability, shortages, delays, inventory risks and recovery actions to relevant internal stakeholders.
• Use planning and inventory data to identify recurring issues and recommend improvements to ordering, stock control, supplier communication and reporting processes.

Skills and experience of the Supply Planner

• Previous experience in supply planning, purchasing, procurement, inventory control or order management
• Food or similar FMCG industry experience is required
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage a high volume of priorities and deadlines.
• Confident and persistent supplier communication, with the ability to obtain clear commitments and escalate risks appropriately.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills, including confidence using spreadsheets to review forecasts, stock, orders and delivery data.
• Excellent administration, attention to detail and record keeping, with the ability to maintain accurate systems and a clear audit trail.
• Good understanding of inventory management, lead times, stock cover and the relationship between forecasts, orders and availability.
• Practical problem-solving skills and a proactive, accountable approach to resolving issues.
• Effective cross-functional communication skills and the ability to provide concise, accurate status updates.
• Experience of international shipping, import processes, duties and delivery terms would be beneficial.
• Competence with Microsoft Office especially excel

The Supply Planner position would suit someone who has held as a Supply Planner, Supply Chain Planner, Buyer, or Demand Planner. </p

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