Summary of the Role’s Main Purpose
Responsible for effectively managing a portfolio of products to achieve service to stores on the ‘end to end’ flow of goods through the Supply Chain to agreed corporate targets.
To assist the Category Supply Manager in the delivery of the Category targets and to represent and deputise for him/her as required.
Principle Accountabilities
• Control the flow of up to 1.5k products through the supply chain, from supplier to stores, accounting for up to 400k store stocking points and 750k cases of product per week which delivers c£800m pa turnover.
• Contribute to the management of 18 million cases through multiple depots on a weekly basis to deliver supply chain KPIs
• Control the forecasting and ordering of product against a challenging set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Forecast future sales demand for all products within the portfolio and manage the product flow through the Supply Chain, maximising on-shelf availability in stores
• Create supplier orders and track successful transmission (EDI) through to supplier
• Work effectively cross-functionally across several business functions up to Category Manager level to support the delivery of the Business Unit objectives
• Engage and communicate with Buyers and Category Managers within Trading, challenging and influencing where appropriate to deliver corporate targets
• Plan seasonal events up to 12 months ahead to deliver faultless in store execution to enable delivery of corporate availability, wastage, stock & sales targets
• Control stock at optimum levels throughout the supply chain, to achieve category stock holding targets up to a value of £20m, and an annual wastage budget of up to £10m, delivering significant year/year improvements
• Control supply chain relationships with a global supplier base (c100 suppliers), encouraging close collaboration and driving down end to end costs, whilst maintaining high levels of supplier service
• Support the Category Supply Manager in the effective running of the team and deputise for them as necessary
• Manage the Category Supply team at weekends & Bank Holidays (on a rota basis) in the absence of the Category Supply Manager
Measures of Success
• On-shelf availability (MAC)
• In-store availability
• Promotional availability
• Store & depot stockholding
• Product wastage
• Supplier service level
• Depot service level
• Forecast accuracy
• Delivery of corporate sales plan
Resources available to the Job-Holder
• Supplier base of 100 suppliers
• Depot network of 20 depots across the UK
• Central Supply Chain Support team
• Trading teams
• Retail teams
• Category Supply Manager
Level of Decision-making Authority
Powers devolved
• Prioritisation of workload and activities within own product area to achieve targets
• Monitoring & management of supplier base
• Appropriate decision making in the absence of the Category Supply Manager
Powers withheld
• Defining individual & team targets
• Defining targets outside of corporate KPIs
• Expenditure against the department revenue budget
Core Areas of Knowledge, Skills & Experience
• Minimum of 2 years experience in a high volume supply chain role within food retailing or a major FMCG operation
• Good understanding of store Retail operations and requirements
• Must demonstrate a strong customer focus
• Ability to positively influence up to Senior Manager level
• Good verbal and written presentation skills
• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks
• Able to work under periods of high pressure
• Good negotiation skills
• Ability to absorb and interpret large amounts of data
• Good PC & systems skills
• Good numeracy skills
• Educated to O Level/GCSE standard
