Senior Supply Planner

A fantastic opportunity for a Senior 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 Senior Supply Planner owns supply planning and supplier performance across key product portfolios. Working within the Procurement & Supply Chain Team, the role balances availability, inventory, cost and risk; leads resolution of significant supply issues; and turns forecasts and commercial priorities into robust supply plans.

This is a 5 days a week onsite role in Reigate

Key responsibilities of the Senior Supply Planner

• Own the end-to-end supply plan for assigned categories or suppliers, translating forecasts, customer plans, lead times, stock policies and commercial priorities into purchasing and inventory actions.
• Set and review appropriate ordering parameters and stock cover within agreed policy.
• Lead actions to reduce shortages, excess, ageing and slow-moving stock while protecting customer service.
• Anticipate capacity, material, production, shipping and geopolitical risks, escalating material business impacts with clear recommendations.
• Lead regular operational reviews with key suppliers, using evidence on service, responsiveness, quality, lead time and adherence to plan.
• Review forecast changes, promotions, tenders, launches and customer requirements. Ensure material changes are reflected in supply plans and purchase orders.
• Provide demand, inventory, lead-time and supplier performance analysis to support negotiations, tenders, sourcing decisions, contracts and new supplier assessments.
• Lead planning discussions with Sales, Technical, Operations, Logistics and Finance, ensuring decisions, owners and recovery actions are clear.
• Maintain high standards of planning data, purchase order accuracy, documentation and audit trail. Develop useful reporting and ensure agreed controls are followed.
• Lead improvements to planning methods, supplier communication, inventory controls, reporting and system use. Use root-cause analysis to prevent recurring supply problems.

Leadership and development responsibilities of the Senior Supply Planner

• Provide day-to-day guidance, coaching and technical support to Supply Planners.
• Act as an escalation point for complex supplier and inventory issues
• Promote consistent ways of working, effective prioritisation and a strong culture of ownership within the Procurement & Supply Chain team.
• Deputise for the Head of Procurement when required.

Skills and experience required of the Senior Supply Planner

• Strong experience in supply planning, procurement, purchasing or inventory management, preferably within food, FMCG or an international supply chain.
• Demonstrable ownership of complex supplier or product portfolios, including management of long lead times and supply disruption.
• Strong analytical capability, with confidence interpreting forecasts, inventory, service, cost and supplier performance data.
• Confident supplier management, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Excellent planning, prioritisation and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Excellent excel spreadsheet skills
• Experience supporting tenders, product launches, supplier changes or continuous improvement projects is desirable.

The Senior Supply Planner position would suit someone who has held or are ready for a step up into a senior position as a Supply Planner, Supply Chain Planner, Buyer, Senior Buyer or Demand Planner.