Inventory Planner
2 days ago
St Albans
Are you an operationally focused Inventory Planner, looking to take ownership of planning, forecasting, and analytics across an end-to-end inventory plan within a fast-paced FMCG or retail environment? This is an opportunity to join a well-established food business where each brand is supported by a dedicated Inventory Planner, working closely with Demand Planning and Supply Chain to drive availability, accuracy, and performance. The Company A highly respected consumer goods organisation operating across the UK and international markets, this business manages a portfolio of well-known brands, each with its own supply chain and planning requirements. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, data-driven decision making, and continuous improvement, the business offers long-term development opportunities within supply chain and operations. The Role Sitting within the Supply Chain function, the Inventory Planner will be part of a specialist inventory team, with individual ownership of one brand within the wider portfolio. This is a planning-led, analytical role, focused on forecasting alignment, inventory optimisation, and performance reporting, rather than physical stock control or warehouse execution. You will work closely with the Demand & Supply Planning functions to validate forecasts, identify gaps, and build robust end-to-end inventory plans that balance service level, working capital, and operational constraints. This role is well suited to someone from an FMCG or retail planning background, comfortable working with data, forecasts, and Excel-based analysis in a fast-moving environment. Key Responsibilities • Own the end-to-end inventory plan for an assigned brand, ensuring stock availability across the network., • Work closely with Supply & Demand Planners to validate demand forecasts, challenge assumptions, identify gaps, and align supply plans accordingly., • Analyse inventory performance across multiple SKUs, identifying risks around shortages, excess, and slow-moving stock., • Produce and maintain inventory reports and analytics, primarily using Excel, tracking KPIs such as stock cover, availability, and forecast accuracy., • Use ERP systems (SAP preferred, not essential) to support planning activity, stock visibility, and data integrity., • Support inventory reconciliation activities, including variance analysis and root-cause investigation in partnership with Supply Chain and Finance., • Contribute to purchase planning and replenishment decisions, considering lead times, constraints, and service targets., • Support continuous improvement across inventory processes, reporting, and planning accuracy., • Any exposure to imports/exports or international supply flows will be considered a strong advantage. What We’re Looking For • Experience in an Inventory Planner, Supply Planner, or Planning Analyst role within FMCG or retail., • Strong understanding of inventory planning and forecasting, rather than warehouse-based stock control., • Experience using an ERP system (SAP preferred, but not essential)., • Advanced Excel capability for reporting, analysis, and scenario modelling (pivot tables, lookups, formulas)., • Analytical, detail-driven, and comfortable working with large data sets., • Strong communicator, able to work cross-functionally with Demand Planning, Supply Chain, and Finance teams., • Exposure to imports/exports or international supply chains is a bonus. Interested? Click “Apply” or email your CV to The Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner to the FMCG and consumer product sectors. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. By applying for this role, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy, which can be found on our website. The Advocate Group is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.