Supply Chain Network Design Manager

LOCATION OF ROLE

• London: E16 2EW: Hybrid (3 days on site)
• Travel to 3PL / UK T&L sites, as required

ABOUT THE ROLE

Tate & Lyle’s packed production footprint has evolved significantly, with Normanton now playing an expanded role alongside Thames and Plaistow. The distribution model has not yet been redesigned to reflect this shift, creating rising logistics costs and suboptimal stock positioning. This role exists to close that gap: the Supply Chain Network Design Manager will own the end-to-end network design for Tate & Lyle Sugars packed products, building the analytical foundations the business needs - cost-to-serve modelling, network performance dashboards, and structured scenario analysis - and working across Planning, Logistics, Commercial and Customer Service to translate network decisions into operational reality.

POSITION SCOPE

• Network design and optimisation across production sites (Thames, Normanton, Plaistow), distribution centres, and customer delivery points.
• Stock positioning and inventory strategy - what is held where, in what quantity, to minimise cost while maintaining service.
• Inter‑site product flow management, production contingency planning, and translation of network decisions into SAP/IBP planning parameters.
• Cost‑to‑serve modelling, network performance dashboards, and budget vs actuals visibility.
• Scenario modelling supporting strategic decisions: capacity allocation, NPD routing, seasonal flex, and new customer onboarding.
• Interfaces with Planning, Logistics, Customer Service, Commercial, Finance and senior leadership through Exec S&OP.

POSITION STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND KEY DELIVERABLES

• Own the end-to-end supply chain network design for packed products - defining what is packed where, where stock is held, and where orders ship from - and maintain a quarterly network design roadmap aligned with supply chain strategy.
• Manage inter‑site product flows - ensuring Normanton replenishment and transfers are aligned with the supply plan and demand profile and updated as conditions change.
• When production issues arise, determine the optimal flex packing plan and ensure the revised plan is reflected in SAP and acted upon by Planning and Logistics.
• Define ship‑from locations for new customers and tenders and determine where new SKUs (NPD) will be packed and distributed from ahead of launch.
• Model seasonal and promotional demand flex, ensuring the network can absorb volume peaks without disproportionate cost.
• Support cross‑functional and pan‑ASR projects where network design input is required, including site integration activity as needed.

Cost-to-Serve & Performance Insight

• Build and own the cost‑to‑serve model, quantifying the true cost of serving each channel, customer segment, and SKU to prioritise improvement activity and inform commercial decisions.
• Build and maintain a network cost dashboard providing weekly budget vs actuals visibility of logistics and replenishment spend, with root cause analysis to diagnose cost drivers.
• Work with Customer Service and Commercial to identify where customer ordering behaviour is driving unnecessary supply chain cost, and collaborate on solutions.
• Embed sustainability and carbon considerations into network analysis, quantifying the ESG impact of network decisions alongside cost and service; feed outputs into ZBB (Zero‑Based Budgeting) and ESG targets.
• Support Exec S&OP with a regular network performance view - flagging structural issues and presenting options and recommendations for leadership decision.
• Define and maintain stocking policies: safety stock levels, inventory positioning by site and SKU, and replenishment parameters, translated into clear operational inputs for Planning and Logistics.
• Ensure inter‑site replenishment flows - particularly Thames/Normanton/Plaistow movements - are optimised and that stocking decisions reflect the true cost of each positioning option.
• Work closely with the Planning Manager and Demand Planner to ensure network parameters and stocking policies are reflected in SAP/IBP.
• Run structured network scenario analysis (e.g. distribution model changes, packing plant allocation, insourcing vs. outsourcing), producing a clear business case and recommendation for leadership.
• Build and maintain a network simulation capability that enables rapid scenario testing and quantifies cost and service impact before structural changes are committed.
• Lead or co‑lead supply chain improvement projects arising from network analysis; support logistics and commercial teams in tenders by providing network insight and ship‑from recommendations.
• Ensure systems, data and reporting capabilities - including SAP planning parameters, Power BI dashboards and network modelling tools - support network design outputs and decision‑making.
• Continuously benchmark network performance against industry best practice, keeping pace with developments in network design tools and identifying opportunities to improve cost, sustainability and resilience.

ESSENTIAL WORK EXPERIENCES

• Proven experience (typically 5+ years) in supply chain network design, network optimisation, or a senior supply chain analytical role in a manufacturing or FMCG environment.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end supply chain operations: manufacturing, planning, logistics, distribution, and customer fulfilment.
• Demonstrable experience building cost‑to‑serve models and translating outputs into commercial and operational decisions.
• Experience of inventory and stocking policy design — safety stocks, positioning logic, replenishment parameters — and translating these into operational planning system inputs (e.g. SAP).
• Familiarity with S&OP processes and governance — how to prepare and frame recommendations for an executive decision forum.
• Experience with supply chain planning or network modelling tools (e.g. SAP, o9, Llamasoft/AIMMS, advanced Excel); Power BI or equivalent data visualisation experience desirable.
• Degree educated or equivalent professional experience, ideally in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Operations Research or Business; APICS (CSCP/CPIM) or CIPS qualification desirable.

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