Demand Planner & Stock Control Manager (Wine & Champagne business, London)

Job Purpose (Mission)

The Demand Planning and Stock Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Demand Planning and Stock functions to ensure excellent customer service and timely delivery for both customers and principals.

The role will directly impact business performance and the reputation of the company. This position involves managing stock levels, overseeing supplier shipping plans, and ensuring cross-departmental communication to meet business requirements.

Responsibilities (Activities/Autonomy)

Duties and Responsibilities

Demand Planning: Own and manage demand planning across a complex portfolio to ensure optimal stock levels and align with sales and marketing strategies.

• Supplier Shipping Plans: Oversee and manage supplier shipping plans, ensuring alignment with production and shipping schedules to meet sales and marketing plans.
• Stock Management: Ensure the integrity of UK stock holdings by signing off monthly stock reconciliations, managing stock lists, controlling customer reserves, and providing monthly reports to Finance and the Brand Teams.
• Warehouse Coordination: Communicate daily with the 3PL warehouse (Great Bear), build strong relationships with management and teams, and prioritise orders according to business needs, managing stock and capacity planning.
• Cost Management: Support the authorisation and sign of process for our 3PL Rental and RH&D invoices, ensuring correct allocation of costs.
• Digital Projects: Play a Key Role in contributing to our digital projects, such as ERP system upgrades and PIM/DAM system relaunch.
• Customer Projects: Coordinate customer-specific projects such as Fine Wine Campaigns and National Account Customer Orders, aligning stock planning to campaign dates and communicating any changes to Sales and Brand Managers. Ensure finance is informed of high-value loads for cash flow planning.
• Interdepartmental Communication: Liaise with Finance, Marketing, and Sales teams to ensure procedures are followed and all teams are engaged.
• Customer Service: Provide excellent customer service, connecting effectively with customers, Sales teams, and external partners.
• Team Collaboration: Work flexibly as part of a busy team, ensuring smooth communication and motivating colleagues to achieve company goals.

Requirements

Knowledge, Experience, and Qualifications

Previous Operations Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years in operations, demand planning or supply chain management. Demand planning experience preferred.

• Numerical Ability: Proven experience working with complex costs and profit margins.
• Bonded Environment Experience: Familiarity with working in a bonded environment and understanding alcohol duty rates for wine and spirits.
• ERP Systems Knowledge: Advanced experience with ERP systems, particularly Microsoft Navision (preferred).
• Microsoft Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Excel (advanced formula writing, vlookups), Outlook, and Word.
• WSET Certification: WSET Advanced level qualification.
• Wine Industry Knowledge: Passion for wine and understanding of the UK wine trade.

Skills & Abilities

• Cost Understanding: Proven experience and understanding of operational costs.
• Problem Solving: Ability to troubleshoot and resolve most issues independently, with a solution-driven approach.
• Time Management: Excellent time management skills, with the ability to multitask and lead in a high-pressure environment.
• Leadership: Confidence in liaising with management and challenging processes to implement necessary changes.
• Prioritisation: Ability to prioritise tasks effectively in an ever-changing environment.
• Adaptability: Proven ability to work under pressure and thrive in overcoming challenges.
• Strong Communication: Excellent communication skills to connect with internal teams and external partners, including customers and warehouse teams.
• Attention to Detail: Strong attention to detail, with an understanding that accuracy is critical to business operations.

Salary range

• £35k – £45k annual salary (depending on experience).
• Bonus, pension, 25 days holiday, 3 days a week in the office + other benefits.