Robert Walters
Head of Supply Planning
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Head of Supply Planning
A leading medical devices manufacturer based in the North West is seeking an experienced Head of Supply Planning to provide strategic leadership across its planning function during a critical period of operational growth and transformation.
This is a high-profile interim opportunity for a proven planning leader capable of driving forecast accuracy, inventory optimisation, service performance, and planning excellence across a complex manufacturing operation.
The Role
Reporting into the Supply Chain Director, you will take ownership of the end-to-end supply planning function, ensuring the business has the right inventory, capacity, and materials strategies to support customer demand and production requirements.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Leading the supply planning, production planning, and inventory management teams
- Developing robust planning processes to improve service levels, forecast consumption, and inventory performance
- Driving the S&OP cycle and aligning operational plans with business objectives
- Balancing demand, supply, capacity, and inventory across multiple product lines
- Managing supply risks and developing mitigation plans to ensure continuity of supply
- Working closely with Procurement, Manufacturing, Quality, Commercial, and Finance teams
- Leading planning transformation and continuous improvement initiatives
- Developing KPI frameworks and driving performance improvements across OTIF, inventory, customer service, and working capital
- Supporting senior leadership with strategic planning and decision-making
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About You
We are looking for an experienced supply planning leader who can quickly assess, stabilise, and enhance planning performance within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
You will possess:
- Significant experience in Supply Planning, Integrated Business Planning (IBP), S&OP, or Supply Chain Planning leadership roles
- Previous experience operating at Head of Supply Planning, Planning Director, or senior interim planning leadership level
- Strong understanding of planning within a manufacturing environment
- Proven experience leading planning teams through change and transformation
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
- Strong analytical and systems capability, ideally within ERP and advanced planning environments
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Preferred Background
Experience within a regulated manufacturing industry is highly desirable. Candidates from sectors such as:
- Medical Devices
- Pharmaceuticals
- Healthcare Manufacturing
- Life Sciences
- Biotechnology
- Aerospace
- Chemicals
will be particularly well suited to this opportunity due to the complexity, compliance requirements, and operational disciplines associated with these environments.
What's on Offer?
- Senior leadership opportunity within a growing medical devices business
- Visibility and influence across the wider organisation
- Opportunity to drive meaningful planning improvements and leave a lasting impact
- Competitive day rate
- Hybrid working arrangement
- Immediate start available
This role would suit an experienced interim planning professional who combines strategic leadership with strong operational planning expertise and has a track record of delivering results within regulated manufacturing environments.
To apply for the role, please send your CV to susannah.warrington@robertwalters.com.
Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates.
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