Supply & Demand Manager

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Who are Murray Uniforms?

From starting out in a textiles factory in Northampton in 1918 to our existing operations in Coventry today, our knowledge and skills have grown alongside our business. Most importantly, we have learned that what you wear matters. Through our fully managed service, we provide uniforms that enhance productivity, performance and brand image. Put simply, we help people look smarter, feel smarter and work smarter.

We provide a legendary customer experience by building and maintaining strong and professional customer relationships. This assists our company to grow by delighting and satisfying those amazing people who make your position possible - our loyal customers.

Introduction

This is a critical role in the business. You will be responsible for the forecasting, purchasing and delivery of all overseas lines. Through working closely with internal departments, clients and suppliers you will gather information to forecast demand and order stock to allow full availability, whilst also keeping stock levels to a minimum.

The role covers the following areas:

Purchasing

• Place Purchase Orders with Suppliers as necessary to maintain appropriate stock cover.
• Work with suppliers to negotiate the best cost prices, lead times and payment terms
• Establish, build and maintain relationships with core suppliers and shareholders, ensuring a strong business relationship
• Maintain regular communication with suppliers; ensure adherence to delivery schedules. Raise issues as relevant, communicating to other functions as and when necessary

Forecast

• Weekly analysis of Sales, Stock and Availability. Identify positive and negative trends to focus on and carry out additional investigation where measures warrant a more detailed explanation
• Chair monthly S&OP review meetings and play a key role in driving Demand and Sales
• Gathering updates on suppliers, clients, sales, and other stakeholders that can affect demand
• Be able to identify variances in actual demand vs planned demand and to make informed changes to forecasts and supply chain plans to minimise shortages and overstocks.
• Be responsible for the accuracy of forecast

Freight

• Propose delivery actions where required, i.e short shipments, cancellations, re-phasing and the airing of goods
• Liaising with forwarders and the operations team to ensure goods are delivered and processed on time.
• Be responsible for the cost-effective supply of products

Key Skills

• Strong IT/systems use, with good Microsoft Excel experience and skills.
• Excellent analytical skills, with experience of working with large and complex data sets
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in buying/purchasing/merchandising/planning/supply chain role.
• Highly numerate and analytical with excellent attention to detail. Happy moving between detailed work and higher level, topline tasks
• Comfortable, confident and experienced in managing overseas suppliers, typically from the Far East region
• Confidence in delivering presentations and leading meetings which may form the basis of communication to customers or internal stakeholders, presenting solutions and assigning actions.
• Strong interpersonal skills are also essential to effectively interact with all teams, areas and levels of the business affecting the forecast, purchasing and delivery process.

The following mindset will be required:

• Values Driven - Total commitment to Company Values at all times, every day
• Team Player - This role will involve massive and continual interaction with other departments and it has to be considerate, professional and effective at all times
• Customer Focused - An ability to quickly connect and establish relationships with all levels of staff within each of our customers businesses in a way that gains their complete trust in you and the Company to allow your advice to have real influence on their decisions.
• Creativity - This may be required to develop uniquely satisfying solutions for our clients.
• Work ethic - willingness to work hard is an essential quality for success
• Positive mind-set - a belief that we can and will provide market leading solutions to our customers and as a result will achieve our targets.
• Determination - the drive, persistence and tenacious resilience to succeed whatever the weather
• Skill Set - The ability, experience and expertise required to meet progressive but achievable targets
• Reporting - Consistent and on time reports on key agreed KPI's