Head of Sales & Operational Planning (S&OP)

COMPANY BACKGROUND:

SLINGCO is an award-winning supplier of high-quality tools and accessories for the installation and handling of cable, with over 40 years of industry heritage. We serve customers in over 70 countries worldwide from our head office in Lancashire, UK, and bases in Georgia, USA, and Bengaluru, India.

Our products are used in safety critical applications for a wide range of markets. With sectors including oil & gas, civil engineering, aerospace, transport, utilities, marine/offshore and the military – there’s no room for error. That’s why we do everything with the utmost care and precision.

We design and manufacture to the highest specifications and test to destruction. If our products don’t meet and exceed the most stringent national and international standards, they’re not good enough for our customers.

At Slingco, our goal is to create innovative high-quality products that our customers can depend on, whilst providing a positive experience for our customers and our employees. Every aspect of our work, culture and commitment to innovation is driven by our core values.

BENEFITS:

• £60,000 - £70,000 per annum

• Private Medical Insurance

• 31 days’ annual leave including Bank Holidays, rising to 36 with service

• Option to buy 5 additional holidays

• Your birthday off

• Hybrid working options

• Enhanced employer pension contribution

• Life assurance cover x4 salary

• Gym membership

• Cycle to work scheme

• Employee loan scheme

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Head of Sales & Operational Planning (S&OP) will be responsible for designing, implementing, embedding and continuously improving a best-in-class S&OP process across Slingco.

Operating within a fast-growing, engineering-intensive manufacturing business, the role will provide the critical link between the Sales, Operations, Engineering, Procurement, Finance and Supply Chain functions to create a single, aligned operational plan that supports sustainable growth, optimises inventory, improves customer service and maximises profitability.

This is a highly visible leadership position that will act as the architect and owner of the S&OP process, driving cultural adoption, governance and decision-making across a complex global supply network encompassing internal manufacturing facilities in the UK and India, outsourced manufacturing partners across Asia and the UK and distribution operations serving North American customers.

The successful candidate will combine strong analytical capability with exceptional stakeholder management skills to establish S&OP as a core business discipline and strategic enabler.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

S&OP Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement the company's end-to-end S&OP framework, processes, governance and operating cadence.

• Establish a structured monthly S&OP cycle encompassing demand planning, supply planning, inventory planning, financial reconciliation and executive review.

• Define clear roles, responsibilities and decision rights across all participating functions.

• Drive organisational adoption of S&OP principles and embed a culture of fact-based data-led decision making.

• Serve as the Organisational expert and process owner for all S&OP activities.

Demand Planning

• Lead the development of robust forecasting methodologies across both Make-to-Stock (MTS) and Make-to-Order (MTO) product portfolios.

• Collaborate closely with Sales and Product Management teams to improve forecast accuracy and demand visibility.

• Challenge assumptions and identify risks and opportunities affecting future demand.

• Develop forecasting metrics and performance reporting to drive continuous improvement.

Supply & Capacity Planning

• Translate demand requirements into executable supply plans across internal and external manufacturing operations.

• Partner with the Supply Chain team to support capacity planning across UK and India manufacturing facilities.

• Ensure outsourced manufacturing partners have sufficient visibility to support business requirements.

• Identify constraints, bottlenecks and resource limitations before they impact customer delivery.

• Facilitate scenario planning and risk mitigation strategies.

Inventory & Working Capital Optimisation

• Develop inventory strategies that balance Customer service, lead times and working capital objectives.

• Establish and manage inventory policies for stocked products across manufacturing and US distribution locations.

• Drive inventory optimisation initiatives to reduce excess and obsolete stock while protecting Customer service.

• Monitor inventory health and recommend corrective actions where required.

Executive Decision Support

• Lead monthly executive S&OP reviews and provide clear recommendations to Senior Leadership.

• Present business risks, opportunities and scenarios to support strategic decision-making.

• Develop KPI dashboards and management reporting that provide visibility of demand, supply, inventory and service performance.

• Ensure alignment between Operational plans and Financial objectives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Build strong working relationships across Sales, Engineering, Operations, Finance and Supply Chain teams.

• Facilitate alignment between Customer requirements, Manufacturing capabilities and commercial objectives.

• Act as a key change agent in driving process discipline, improvement and accountability throughout the Organisation.

Continuous Improvement

• Establish performance metrics and maturity assessments for the S&OP process.

• Benchmark against industry best practice and implement improvements where appropriate.

• Support digitalisation and systems enhancement initiatives that improve planning capability and decision-making.

• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and process documentation.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

• Strategic thinker with strong operational execution capability.

• Influential leader who can drive change through collaboration rather than hierarchy.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

• Highly organised and process driven.

• Data-led decision maker with strong commercial awareness.

• Resilient, adaptable and comfortable operating in a fast-growth environment.

• Proactive and results orientated with a continuous improvement mindset.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience

• Significant experience leading Sales & Operations Planning, Integrated Business Planning (IBP) or Supply Chain Planning processes.

• Proven track record of implementing or transforming S&OP processes within a manufacturing environment.

• Experience operating within engineering-led, low-volume, high-complexity businesses.

• Strong understanding of both Make-to-Stock and Make-to-Order planning environments.

• Experience managing Global Supply Chains including outsourced manufacturing Partners.

• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders without direct authority.

• Strong analytical and commercial acumen.

• Experience supporting rapid business growth and organisational scaling.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Business or a related discipline.

• APICS CPIM, CSCP, IBF or equivalent planning qualification desirable.

• CIPS, Lean or Six Sigma qualifications advantageous.