Sales operations planning manager

Company We are delighted to be partnering with an Iconic Food Manufacturer that is harnessing the power of technology and automation, as it looks to build a best-in-class S&OP/IBP function to accelerate future business growth whilst maintaining its commitment to building a sustainable, high performing supply chain for the future. The Role This role offers a unique opportunity to spearhead the enhancement of Supply Chain Systems and Processes, leveraging a collaborative Executive Leadership Team (ELT), an engaged workforce, and recent technological implementations across the operation. We seek an experienced S&OP leader with broader Integrated Business Planning (IBP) expertise to lead significant change and transformation, accelerating the organization's maturity towards a more advanced 36-month rolling horizon. Reporting Structure: This position reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with a dotted line into the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ensuring strategic alignment and visibility at the highest levels of the organization. The S&OP Manager will champion initiatives across departments, enjoying trust and autonomy to drive impactful results. Responsibilities

• S&OP Leadership: Develop and lead the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, ensuring alignment between sales forecasts, production plans, inventory levels, and customer demand. Drive continuous improvement and integration of S&OP with broader business planning functions.
• Process Enhancement: Evaluate, optimize, and standardize Supply Chain Systems and Processes to enhance efficiency, agility, and responsiveness. Implement best practices to streamline operations and improve decision-making capabilities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Procurement, and Finance teams to ensure cross-functional alignment and consensus on key planning assumptions, scenarios, and trade-offs.
• Technology Integration: Leverage existing and emerging technologies to enhance forecasting accuracy, demand planning capabilities, and supply chain visibility. Drive the integration of new technologies to support S&OP excellence.
• Change Management & Transformation: Lead change management initiatives to drive cultural and organizational transformation towards a more mature S&OP process. Engage stakeholders at all levels to foster buy-in and ownership of S&OP objectives.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Establish KPIs, metrics, and dashboards to monitor S&OP performance and drive continuous improvement. Provide regular updates to senior leadership on S&OP effectiveness and alignment with business goals.
  

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
• Strong experience in Supply Chain Management, with a track record of developing a best in class S&OP and IBP function.
• Proven track record of leading S&OP initiatives and driving significant change and transformation within complex organizations.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data-driven decision-making.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across functions and levels of the organization.
• Change management expertise, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and drive cultural change.
• Certification in APICS (CPIM, CSCP) or similar credentials preferred.
  

What is on offer?

• Join an iconic Food Manufacturer in an exciting time of change, and work with an outstanding ELT that will enable you to deliver large scale transformation across the business whilst harnessing the power of technology and automation
• A brand new, exciting role for the business, in which you will play a long-term, high impact role. You will have the trust and autonomy to drive positive change across the group, and will work within an environment that has an appetite for driving a best in class S&OP/IBP
• A stable and mature business that is looking to secure its place as #1 for years to come. This is supported by large CapEx investment across the group, and new roles across the business.
  

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