Ocado Retail
Category Demand Planning Manager - Chilled
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Category Demand Planning Manager - Chilled
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Hatfield (Hybrid working - 3 days in the office)
Working hours per week: 40 hours
Level: Manager
Reports to: Head of Demand Planning - Fresh & Chilled
Application Closing Date: Wednesday 29th July
About us
Our mission is to deliver joy in every shop, through unbeatable choice, unrivalled service, and reassuringly good value. We’re also on a mission to empower our business with smart technology; we've recently launched our AI Academy, providing a tailored AI learning journey for every colleague.
We’re Ocado Retail, a market-leading joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S, and the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket, ocado.com. Not only is Ocado the only place to shop a full range of M&S food online, it’s also the home to the widest online supermarket range in the UK and champion of small, independent brands. We’re also the brains behind Zoom by Ocado, our same-day grocery delivery service.
About the team and the role
The Supply Chain team in Ocado Retail ensures that stock is available to sell to customers as baskets are created, and that suppliers deliver as requested so the customer’s doorstep experience is as close to 100% perfect as possible.
This role takes specific responsibility for our Chilled portfolio, owning the demand planning strategy that maximises availability and life to customers while minimising waste. You will lead a team of 2-3 direct reports (Senior/Demand Planning Managers) within a wider team of around 10, and will be a key part of building the next generation of demand planning talent within Ocado Retail.
You will report into the Head of Demand Planning for Fresh & Chilled, acting as their right hand on the Chilled category, and deputising for them where needed. You will also be a key point of contact for M&S Chilled trading and supply chain teams, and will represent Ocado Retail with senior stakeholders across our supply base.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced people leader to shape our supply chain strategy, build a high-performing team, and deepen strategic supplier relationships, all while continuing to broaden their own leadership capability in a fast-growing business.
What you’ll do
- Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop a team of Senior Demand Planning Managers, curating a high-performing team culture. Own recruitment, career progression, and objective-setting for your direct reports, and act as a role model for the wider demand planning team.
- Supply Chain Strategy: Own the demand planning strategy for Chilled, balancing availability, waste, and inventory to deliver against category KPIs. Contribute to the broader Fresh & Chilled supply chain strategy alongside the Head of Demand Planning.
- Supplier Relationship Management: Build and maintain high-challenge, high-trust relationships with senior stakeholders across the Chilled supplier base, driving joint business planning, innovation, and continuous improvement. Adapt your style to negotiate and influence effectively at a senior supplier level.
- Relationship Management: Partner closely with ORL Commercial, Finance, and Inbound teams to drive optimal business outcomes. Act as a key liaison with M&S Chilled trading and supply chain teams.
- KPI Accountability: Own the ATP, Non-Fulfillment, and waste levels for the Chilled category, reporting performance and improvement plans to senior stakeholders.
- Deputy: Deputise for the Head of Demand Planning - Fresh & Chilled, where required, including representing the category in senior forums and cross-functional projects.
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Who you are
- An Experienced People Leader: You have a proven track record of leading and developing high-performing teams, and can curate a team culture that consistently delivers.
- A Trusted Supplier Partner: You have experience building great relationships with suppliers, and can flex your approach to negotiate and influence confidently at a senior level.
- Supply Chain Expert: You have strong technical demand planning expertise, ideally gained within food retail or a comparably complex, fast-paced environment.
- Collaborator: You build constructive relationships across Ocado Retail and M&S, and can influence effectively at all levels.
- Resilient: You thrive under pressure, maintain accuracy, and consistently meet deadlines in a fast-growing, evolving business.
What’s in it for you
By joining Ocado Retail, you’ll have the chance to experience life at the world’s largest online retailer, work with an amazing bunch of people who challenge what’s possible each day, and grow your skills and career in online retail. You'll also be part of our AI Academy, a dedicated learning journey designed to empower every colleague with the smart technology skills of the future.
Get help with your application
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If that’s not enough to tempt you, you’ll also get access to loads of great benefits to sweeten the deal. Here’s a taste of what we offer:
- Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance with option to add your family, Digital GP appointments, market-leading family policies, mental health support, discounted gym memberships, dental insurance, and more.
- Spend & Save: Annual bonus scheme split between personal and business objectives, recognition with reward platform, up to 7% matched pension contributions, 15% Ocado discount, 20% M&S discount, free breakfast every day in the office, electric vehicle leasing scheme, and free shuttle bus from Hatfield station to the office.
- Never miss the moments that matter: Hybrid working, 26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays, options to buy extra holiday, 2 weeks work from anywhere, and lifestyle break opportunities.
Our Hiring Process
Lucky for us, we receive a high volume of applications and genuinely appreciate the time and effort invested by every candidate. To ensure a fair and thorough process, every application is reviewed by a member of our team. If your skills and experience are a strong match, a Talent Partner will contact you to discuss the role and guide you through the next steps of our hiring process.
Your Application and AI
In the spirit of innovation, we welcome you to use AI tools in your application, just as we use them in our own business at Ocado Retail. However, as you leverage this technology, please don't lose sight of the most important element: your unique self. Your experiences, passions, and personality are what truly set you apart. Ensure that your application still authentically conveys who you are and why you're a great fit for us.
Everyone’s welcome
We’re an equal opportunities employer, which means that we make sure all potential colleagues are treated fairly and equally. We want to ensure everyone has a fair chance to apply; if you need this job description in an alternative format (e.g., larger print, different document type, etc.), please reach out to us at careers@ocadoretail.com and we'll be happy to assist you, and if you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know on the application form.
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