Head of Planning

Job Title	Head of Planning
Department	Supply Chain
Reporting Manager	Director of Supply Chain
Role Banding	2
Location	Glasgow, UK Head Office
Direct Reports (Number + Title)	3 - Demand Planner, Senior Procurement Specialist, Procurement Coordinator

Role Purpose

The Head of Planning is responsible for leading the end-to-end planning function to ensure the business delivers outstanding customer service, inventory performance and supply continuity.

The role owns demand planning, supply planning, inventory management, purchase order placement, production follow-up and S&OP. The position acts as the key link between Commercial, Procurement, Operations, Quality and external manufacturing partners, ensuring customer demand is translated into executable supply plans and delivered on time and in full.

The successful candidate will be accountable for the conversion of demand into supply execution, including placing supplier and manufacturing purchase orders, monitoring production progress, managing supply risks and driving operational performance throughout the supply chain.

Role Responsibilities

Demand Planning

• Lead the demand forecasting process across all product categories and markets.
• Partner with Sales, Marketing and Finance to develop accurate demand forecasts.
• Drive forecast accuracy and bias improvement initiatives.
• Manage demand risks and opportunities through the monthly S&OP process.
• Ensure forecast assumptions are communicated effectively across the business.

Supply Planning

• Develop and maintain rolling supply plans aligned to forecast demand.
• Balance customer service, inventory and capacity requirements.
• Manage constrained supply situations and establish mitigation plans.
• Ensure production plans support growth, promotional activity and innovation launches.
• Identify and communicate supply chain risks and recovery plans.

Purchase Order Management

• Own the operational placement of purchase orders for finished goods, packaging and raw materials.
• Ensure purchase orders are raised accurately and in line with supply plans.
• Monitor supplier acknowledgements and order confirmations.
• Manage changes to purchase orders in response to business requirements.
• Ensure ERP planning parameters and purchasing data are maintained accurately.

Production Follow-Up & Supply Execution

• Take ownership of production order execution with contract manufacturers and suppliers.
• Conduct regular production reviews with manufacturing partners.
• Track production progress against agreed schedules and delivery commitments.
• Proactively manage delays, shortages and capacity constraints.
• Escalate supply risks and coordinate corrective actions across internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure timely delivery of finished goods to support customer requirements.

Inventory Management

• Develop inventory strategies that optimise service levels and working capital.
• Manage stock levels across raw materials, packaging and finished goods.
• Drive reduction of excess, obsolete and slow-moving inventory.
• Maintain appropriate safety stock policies.
• Monitor inventory health and recommend corrective actions where required.

Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)

• Lead the monthly S&OP cycle.
• Facilitate alignment between Commercial, Finance, Procurement and Operations.
• Present recommendations regarding supply, demand, inventory and capacity decisions.
• Support executive decision-making through data-driven insights and analysis.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Lead supply planning activities for all innovation and renovation projects.
• Ensure timely procurement and production readiness for product launches.
• Coordinate launch stock builds and inventory strategies.
• Work closely with Product Development, Marketing and Procurement teams.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop the Planning team.
• Establish performance standards and continuous improvement objectives.
• Build succession plans and capability development programmes.
• Drive a culture of accountability, collaboration and operational excellence.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive planning process improvement initiatives.
• Improve ERP utilisation and planning system effectiveness.
• Develop planning analytics, KPI reporting and visibility tools.
• Implement best practice planning processes and governance.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• 10+ years' experience in Supply Chain, Planning or Operations.
• Proven leadership experience within FMCG, Personal Care, Cosmetics, Beauty or Consumer Goods.
• Strong experience in demand planning, supply planning and S&OP.
• Experience managing contract manufacturers and external supply partners.
• Experience owning purchase order placement and supply execution activities.
• Strong ERP system knowledge, ideally Buisness Central.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Desirable

• APICS CPIM or CSCP qualification.
• Experience within skincare, beauty or personal care sectors.
• Experience working within a fast-growth or private equity-backed environment.
• Advanced Excel and planning system expertise.