Role Purpose
Own the end‑to‑end supply chain for a fast‑moving B2B distribution business with a large SKU portfolio (phone number removed)+) across multiple categories and suppliers. You'll ensure product availability, cost control, and service excellence by optimising demand planning, inventory, purchasing, supplier performance, and logistics operations (inbound/outbound and 3PL).
Key Responsibilities
Demand, Planning & Inventory
Lead the demand planning cycle and forecast accuracy (SKU/location level) using historicals, seasonality, promotions, and customer signals.
Design inventory strategies by segment (ABC/XYZ) to balance OTIF (e.g., 98%+) with working capital and obsolescence risk.
Set and maintain min/max, safety stock, and reorder policies across high SKU counts; manage parameter governance.
Drive S&OP/IBP cadence with Sales, Category, and Finance to align plan vs. actuals and mitigate gaps.
Purchasing & Supplier Management
Own end‑to‑end purchasing, ensuring right product, quantity, price, and lead time.
Negotiate pricing, MOQs, Incoterms, rebates, and service levels; execute cost‑down and value‑engineering initiatives.
Build supplier scorecards (OTIF, lead time adherence, quality, responsiveness) and run quarterly business reviews.
Diversify supply base, mitigate risk, and improve resilience (dual sourcing, nearshoring options where relevant).
Manage contract terms and compliance with legal and ethical standards.
Logistics & Operations
Oversee inbound logistics (ocean/air/road), customs readiness, and alignment to delivery windows.
Optimise warehouse and 3PL performance: pick accuracy, productivity, dock utilisation, and space optimisation.
Lead transport performance (on‑time delivery, DIFOT, cost per drop), routing efficiency, and carrier performance.
Implement continuous improvement across order‑to‑delivery, reducing lead times and touchpoints.
Data, Systems & Process
Own MRP/ERP planning parameters and the integrity of master data (SKUs, lead times, pack size, MOQ, attributes).
Leverage reporting and analytics (e.g., Power BI/Excel) to drive insight‑led decisions.
Standardise processes (SOPs, RACI), embed controls, and lead automation/advanced planning tool enhancements.
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
Lead and develop a supply chain team (planners, buyers, logistics leads); create a high‑performance culture.
Partner with Sales, Commercial, Category, and Finance to balance service, cost, and cash priorities.
Communicate clearly with customers on availability, lead times, and service recovery where needed.
Key Metrics (KPIs)
Service: OTIF/DIFOT %, backorders, fill rate by channel/category.
Inventory: Days/Weeks of Supply, stock turns, working capital, obsolescence/write‑offs.
Purchasing: Cost savings %, PPV, supplier OTIF, lead time adherence.
Logistics: Delivery on‑time %, cost‑to‑serve, pick/pack accuracy, damages/returns.
Planning: Forecast accuracy/bias (MAPE), schedule adherence, parameter accuracy.
People & Process: Engagement, training completion, CI pipeline, SOP compliance.
Candidate Profile
Essential
Proven experience in B2B distribution or wholesale with high SKU counts and complex assortments.
End‑to‑end exposure to demand planning, inventory management, purchasing, and logistics/3PL.
Strong MRP/ERP proficiency (e.g., SAP, Oracle, MS Dynamics) and advanced Excel; comfortable with dashboards/BI.
Commercial acumen: total cost of ownership (TCO), cost‑to‑serve, and margin protection.
Track record of improving service levels, reducing stockouts/overstocks, and delivering cost savings.
Team leadership experience: hiring, coaching, performance management.
Excellent stakeholder skills and a data‑driven approach.
Desirable
S&OP/IBP leadership experience.
Experience with ABC/XYZ segmentation, demand sensing, and safety stock optimisation tools.
3PL contract management and transport optimisation.
Category/vendor‑managed inventory (VMI) or CPFR exposure.
Professional qualifications (e.g., CIPS, APICS/ASCM, Lean Six Sigma).
Tools & Systems
ERP/MRP: SAP / Oracle / Microsoft Dynamics (or similar)
Planning & Analytics: Excel, Power BI/Tableau; APS tools a plus
WMS/TMS: Familiarity with warehouse and transport systems
Collaboration: MS 365/Teams, SharePoint
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