Head of Sales & Operations Planning Job at The People Co. (Northamptonshire)

Job Description

Our client, a leading and fast-growing organisation within the FMCG food and beverage sector, is seeking an experienced and influential Head of Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) to lead and embed a robust, best-in-class planning process across the business. This is a highly visible, strategic role, critical to improving forecast accuracy, optimising inventory, releasing working capital, and enabling scalable, profitable growth.

Job Responsibility

Own and lead the end-to-end S&OP cycle, including demand planning, supply planning, reconciliation, and executive review
Establish and maintain a “one number” consensus plan across all functions
Ensure promotional planning, supplier lead times, and capacity constraints are fully embedded into demand and supply plans
Drive the evolution of the S&OP process towards Integrated Business Planning (IBP)
Significantly improve forecast accuracy and reduce forecast bias through enhanced processes, tools, and analytics
Embed demand signals, promotional analysis, and scenario planning to manage demand volatility and supply risks
Plan inventory to true customer demand, reducing reliance on supplier-driven commitments
Reduce stockholding days and improve inventory efficiency, supporting substantial working capital release
Lead, develop, and coach Planning and Analyst teams, building capability, accountability, and succession readiness
Champion a culture of continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making
Embed BI, Slimstock, and reporting tools into daily operations, improving visibility and insight
Automate planning processes where possible, reducing manual administration and improving accuracy
Deliver clear, timely KPI dashboards to support senior leadership decision-making
Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders across Commercial, Finance, Supply Chain, Customer Services, and external partners to ensure alignment and execution

Requirements

Proven experience in S&OP leadership or senior demand planning roles within FMCG, retail, or consumer goods
Strong track record of improving forecast accuracy, reducing inventory, and releasing working capital
Deep knowledge of forecasting and planning systems such as Slimstock, SAP APO, or Anaplan
Experience leading cross-functional planning processes and influencing at senior leadership level
Strong analytical, numerical, and problem-solving skills with high commercial and financial acumen
Confident communicator with the ability to engage, challenge, and align senior stakeholders
Demonstrated ability to lead change, embed new processes, and drive organisational maturity

Nice to have

Experience with BI tools such as Power BI or Tableau is desirable
Exposure to supplier negotiations, logistics, and customer service collaboration would be advantageous

What we offer

Private Healthcare
Competitive Pension
Discretionary Bonus
Staff Discount
Car Lease Scheme
Group Income Protection
Life Assurance
25 days holiday (plus bank holidays and birthday)

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Head of Sales & Operations Planning

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