Aria Intelligent Solutions

Interim Head of F, A & R (Forecasting, Allocation & Replenishment) Contract: 12-18 months (will consider full or part-time) IR35: Outside IR35 Start: ASAP Location: London, UK. Hybrid. Context & Role Our client is implementing a next-generation, AI/ML-enabled forecasting, allocation and replenishment capability and is looking for an interim Head of F, A & R to provide senior functional leadership through phase 1 of delivery. This is a hands-on operational role. The individual will act as the functional lead for the programme, helping shape how the capability should operate, guiding key decisions through design/build/test/pilot, and ensuring outputs are commercially and operationally viable. There is potential for the role to convert to a permanent Head of F, A & R post-pilot. Ad hoc travel within the UK will be required. Key Responsibilities Act as the senior business lead for F, A & R during the pilot Help shape the future operating model, governance, and ways of working Provide oversight of forecasting and replenishment outputs Guide exception/override philosophy and decision-making Work closely with vendor and programme teams on solution behaviour and configuration Ensure outputs align with real-world retail operations (stores, depots, constraints) Bring judgement to key trade-offs (e.g. availability vs. stock) Capture pilot learnings and inform rollout direction Profile Required Former Head/Director level in F & R, Replenishment, Stock Optimisation, or similar Experience in a high-volume, multi-site retailer Strong understanding of store-level forecasting, allocation, and replenishment Experience with modern planning tools (e.g. RELEX, BlueYonder, o9, ToolsGroup) Able to operate at both strategic and hands-on levels Credible senior operator Typical backgrounds include UK grocery: Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons General merchandise: M&S, Next, John Lewis, Argos (Selective) vendor experience: RELEX, BlueYonder, o9 - where combined with strong retail exposure Screening Focus Has owned F, A & R / DC to store replenishment in a retail environment Experience shaping or implementing store ordering capabilities Comfortable bridging system outputs and commercial reality Strong grasp of retail operational constraints Able to work across business and technology teams If this sounds like the role for your, please apply via the link.