Supply Planning & Analytics Executive

Our client is seeking a Supply Planning & Analytics Executive to join its procurement and supply chain function in Southampton on a contract basis. This role combines supply network management, operational planning, inventory risk control and business intelligence, supporting clear and accurate decision-making across a multi-node supply chain.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and maintain rolling supply and production plans across SKUs, markets and supply nodes.
• Balance service, inventory, waste, working capital, capacity and material constraints when developing supply plans.
• Reconcile forecast, sales, stock, open orders, production, inbound supply, lead times and shelf-life data to identify risks and recovery actions.
• Monitor stock health, forward coverage, slow-moving, obsolete and short-dated inventory, working with stakeholders to reduce write-off risk.
• Coordinate planning inputs and commitments with manufacturers, suppliers, logistics partners and internal teams.
• Run supply scenarios covering demand changes, delayed deliveries, capacity restrictions, allocations and new product launches.
• Produce service, inventory, waste and supply-exception reporting, ensuring actions are tracked through to completion.
• Develop controlled Excel models, Power Query transformations and Power BI dashboards to improve reporting efficiency and visibility.

Job Requirements:

• Experience in supply, production, inventory, logistics or new product introduction planning, ideally within FMCG, consumer goods or a multi-node supply chain.
• Strong understanding of supply chain control, inventory management, planning constraints and scenario analysis.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, structured tables, PivotTables, XLOOKUP or INDEX-MATCH, SUMIFS, dynamic arrays, validation and error checking.
• Hands-on Power Query experience, including connecting, cleaning, merging, appending and reshaping data.
• Strong Power BI capability, including data modelling, relationships, DAX measures, KPI visuals, drill-through and exception-based dashboards.
• Understanding of data reconciliation, version control, validation rules, documentation and refresh processes.
• Ability to challenge assumptions constructively, explain analysis clearly and influence cross-functional action.
• Experience using SAP or another ERP, MRP or planning system is beneficial, as is knowledge of SharePoint, OneDrive or Kinaxis.

Education and Professional Development:

A degree or equivalent professional experience in supply chain, operations, engineering, business, analytics or a related discipline is desirable. APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP, Lean Six Sigma or Microsoft Power BI certification would be advantageous, although demonstrated practical capability is highly valued.

Key Outcomes:

• A controlled supply plan with transparent assumptions, constraints and ownership.
• Improved visibility of stock, coverage, service risk, supply constraints and shelf-life exposure.
• Reduced manual data preparation through refreshable Power Query processes and standardised reporting.
• Practical Excel and Power BI management views used in regular operational reviews.
• Documented data sources, definitions, validation checks and refresh procedures.
• Strong stakeholder confidence in the accuracy and actionability of planning information.