Our client is a leading player in the global Fresh Produce Industry and a exciting role has come up for a  experienced and ambitious Fresh Produce Sales and Operational Planning Manager!

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

• Owning the sales and operational planning process across the rolling 2 week planning horizon at order and allocation level
• Delivering against key planning and business KPI’s, monitor non-conformance and report forecast bias & accuracy results
• Collaborating with Commercial to incorporate exceptional commercial adjustments into the sales & operational plan, liaising with key stakeholders to ensure no adverse impact
• Cooperate with Supply Chain to ensure the release of orders is sent to the Growers in an agreed timely manner, and where orders are not being received escalate this to the
Account Managers to resolve
• Assisting in the delivery of industry leading customer service levels and minimising product waste through proactive customer and supplier engagement
• Enhancing forecasting capabilities and accuracy as well as event planning, by building relationships with key internal customers
• Allocate the orders according to plan and mitigate stock outs, or failures to supply, by load balancing across the Grower network, liaising with Growers, Supply Chain, Technical, Supply Planners, Demand Planners and Account Managers appropriately
• Ensure Grower stocks are allocated according to FIFO rules, and by any prioritisation schemes as directed
• Ensure S&OP team 7 days per week cover at times corresponding to business needs

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Own the week 1-2 allocation and execution process and ensuring the plan is followed or exceptions documented and escalated
• Translate the 12 weeks allocation plan into daily allocation plan for week 1 and 2
• Review Week 1 and Week 2 weekly with the rest of the business as part of the planning process
• Ensure that any changes to the Week 1 and 2 plans are, documented, escalated accordingly and authorised through the correct channels
• Monitor conformance to plan. Any non-conformance to be recorded and escalated
• Responsible for running the Daily (AM and PM) S&OP meetings
• Supervise S&OP team, including managing rotas, development and performance reviews
• Lead the team through process changes ensuring all members are up to speed and confident to deliver and monitor the plan
• Identify opportunities for improvements and raise improvement initiatives (systems, processes, people) working together with Sales and Operational Planning manager
• Cover for Sales and Operational Planning manager when required

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• 2-3 years’ experience in a similar role
• Experience in fresh produce or similar sectors
• Experience in managing, training and mentoring a team
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal relations skills.
• Highly developed influencing and collaboration and facilitation skills.
• Excellent analytical skills and confidence to work with numbers
• Knowledge of ERP & forecasting systems

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Supply Chain Director
Cooperate with: Commercial, Supply Chain, Supply Planning, Demand Planning, Agronomy, Growers,
Procurement, Operations, Technical