Job Title: Supply Planning Manager
Location: Brentford
Contract: Full Time 6 month contract
Department: Operations
Reporting to: Head of Operations
Aromatherapy Associates has been sharing the therapeutic powers of essential oils for over 40 years. The Brand was founded in 1985 by Geraldine Howard & Sue Beechey, therapists that had trained under the renowned aromatherapist Micheline Arcier, who can be traced back to the modern-day founders of aromatherapy. It was then that they experienced first-hand the powerfully positive effects of essential oils on our physical and emotional wellbeing.
As a Company we have a family culture and live by one of Geraldine’s beliefs: “It’s more than just a business, it’s a way of life”.
The brand is present in over 50 markets globally with Regional Sales offices in the UK, US and Hong Kong. Distribution is across Spa, Retail, Online Retailers, E-commerce and Distributor partners.
As aromatherapy experts, our vision has remained constant for a generation – sharing the power and therapeutic effects of natural essential oils. Our award-winning blends have gained recognition across the beauty world for their transformative effects on the mind, body and skin.
Expertly hand-blended in our London laboratory, our essential oils and unique active botanicals have created innovations in body and skincare.
We care deeply about the ingredients we use and how we deliver them to you. We take a mindful approach to the origins, workers wellbeing and certification of all our oils and botanicals, with a commitment to evolving our support for global community projects.
Our sustainability vision is an ongoing endeavour, along with our desire to create the very best aromatherapy products, so you can enjoy beautiful, glowing, healthy skin, free from harsh chemicals and unnecessary synthetics.
Code of best practice:
Act as an ambassador of a world-class brand and deliver our products and services in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures to ensure customers receive the expected and desirable level of customer service through a sincere approach of professionalism, valuable parting of knowledgeable advice, unsurpassed quality of delivery and genuine attention to customer fulfilment and experience.
Overview of the role
The Supply Planning Manager will lead and support the supply planning function, ensuring accurate forecasting, robust inventory management, and efficient component and finished goods supply across the business. This role is highly analytical and hands-on, requiring strong Excel capability, an understanding of production planning processes, and the ability to manage a team within a fast-paced and scaling environment.
The ideal candidate will combine strategic planning with operational execution, ensuring the supply chain runs efficiently, data integrity is maintained, and best practices are consistently applied.
Key Responsibilities
Forecasting & Data Management
* Support the supply planning team in building, managing, and maintaining forecasting models for finished goods and componentry using advanced Excel tools.
* Oversee the development and maintenance of line sheets for Bill of Material (BOM) lines to ensure accurate production planning.
* Ensure high-quality product and component master data to support forecasting accuracy and operational efficiency.
Inventory & Procurement Oversight
* Oversee componentry and finished goods inventory purchasing, including negotiating MOQs (Minimum Order Quantities) and unit pricing to optimise cost and stock availability.
* Support the team in managing all finished goods and component inventory and coordinating transfers between stock locations and within the supplier base to meet production requirements.
* Ensure obsolete lines are managed effectively, including utilisation planning and write-off processes.
* Drive the review of stock count data, leading investigations on discrepancies, and support with physical and systemic inventory adjustments.
Compliance & Sustainability Reporting
* Ensure that supply chain provides accurate and timely data to support company EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) waste reporting.
* Support B Corp data quality collection, validation, and registration processes.
Leadership & Collaboration
* Lead, mentor, and develop the supply planning team to drive performance, accuracy, and efficiency.
* Work cross-functionally with Operations, Finance, Development and Commercial teams to align supply planning with business priorities.
* Promote continuous improvement and best practice across all supply planning processes.
Person Specification
Experience:
* Proven experience building and implementing supply planning frameworks and in-stock strategies using Excel.
* Strong understanding of production planning and demand forecasting.
* Experience within a scaling or fast-growing operation with a focus on implementing best practice processes.
* Demonstrated experience managing a supply planning team.
* Solid understanding of product master data management.
* Proven ability to work cross-functionally and influence key stakeholders.
* Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (formerly Navision) is beneficial but not essential.
Skills & Aptitude:
* Proven experience building and implementing supply planning frameworks and in-stock strategies using Excel.
* Strong understanding of production planning and demand forecasting.
* Experience within a scaling or fast-growing operation with a focus on implementing best practice processes.
* Demonstrated experience managing a supply planning team.
* Solid understanding of product master data management.
* Excellent leadership and team management abilities.
* Strong communication and cross-functional influencing skills.
* Highly numerate and analytically minded with strong attention to detail.
* Organised, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
* Hands-on, and results-driven approach.
* Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (modelling, data analysis, and automation).
* Motivated self-starter who thrives in a dynamic and evolving business.
* This role is based in Brentford, Middlesex and is 2-3 days (Tues & Wednesday) in the office
* This is a temporary 6 month fixed term contract
* This role does not offer sponsorship