Advocate Group
Raw Materials Director
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Materials Planning Director West London
We're partnering with a global leader in the drinks category on a search for a Materials Planning Director.
This is a business with a huge growth trajectory, category-leading brands, and a footprint spanning close to 90 countries across EMEA. If you want a role where the scale, the pace and the impact are all genuinely senior, this is it.
The role
Leading a team of around 17, including three Senior Managers, two Long Term Planners and twelve Raw Material Planners across the UK and South Africa, you'll own all aspects of Raw Materials planning across EMEA. That's ingredients, kits and cans, with real spend and real P&L impact.
You'll be the driving force behind a transformation of Materials Planning systems and process, working hand in hand with SAP and analytics to lift execution standards across the function. You'll also sit at the centre of New Product Development, ensuring long lead time ingredients and can supply are planned proactively so nothing holds up the innovation pipeline.
What you'll be doing
- Owning EMEA Raw Materials planning end to end, driving a 98% casefill target and a step change in On Time In Full performance
- Partnering with Procurement on Supplier Relationship Management, SLAs and supplier performance across a wide network of raw material suppliers, co-packers and contract fillers
- Leading the transformation of SAP MRP and Materials Planning analytics, with dotted line oversight of the SAP MM analyst
- Setting inventory targets and minimising obsolescence through smart, proactive management of ageing stock
- Representing the team through the Integrated Business Planning cycle and co-leading S&OP governance
- Coaching, developing and performance managing a team of senior managers and planners, building genuine bench strength
- Acting as the escalation point for Materials matters across the business
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What we're looking for
- Proven materials planning leadership experience, ideally within EMEA
- Deep expertise in SAP, MRP and PO lifecycle processes
- A track record of leading and developing senior managers, not just planners
- Strong commercial and analytical instincts, comfortable operating and influencing at a strategic level
- Someone who can bring structure to complexity without losing pace
- Resilient, hands on and genuinely energised by solving problems at scale
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This is a rare opportunity to lead materials planning for one of the fastest growing categories in FMCG, with real license to shape the function's future. Given the seniority and confidentiality of this search, full details on the business will be shared with shortlisted candidates.
Apply now, or reach out directly and I'll talk you through it.
Email: Nathan.collinson@advocate-group.co.uk
We look forward to receiving your application for this exciting new vacancy!
The Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner, based in the UK, to the FMCG and consumer product sectors. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.
By applying for this role, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy, which can be found on our website. Please note that The Advocate Group is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.
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