Inventory Planning Manager

ROLE PURPOSE

To provide strategic leadership and commercial direction for Inventory Planning across TVS Clients, delivering optimal inventory availability and service performance while maximising working capital efficiency, cost savings, profitability and customer value.

The role will lead the development and execution of robust inventory planning strategies, balancing customer service requirements with inventory investment, operating cost and commercial objectives. It will drive continuous improvement, innovation and business transformation to deliver sustainable financial and operational benefits.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

* Commercial & Strategic Leadership

Provide strategic leadership, management and development direction for the Inventory Planning function, ensuring inventory decisions directly support client and TVS commercial objectives.

Own the delivery of inventory-related financial benefits, including working capital reduction, cost savings, productivity improvements and planned Gain-share opportunities.

Contribute to the strategic leadership and future development of the Inventory Planning organisation, identifying opportunities to increase competitiveness, profitability and customer value.

Lead the inventory planning contribution to annual business planning, budgeting, commercial strategy and longer-term client account plans.

Develop and maintain a clear inventory strategy for each client, balancing availability, customer service, inventory investment, risk and total cost to serve.

Act as a senior commercial partner to clients, using inventory insight, market intelligence and data to identify opportunities, influence decisions and strengthen client relationships.

Support commercial proposals, tenders and account development activity by assessing inventory implications, service requirements, operational risks and potential value creation opportunities.

* Financial & Performance Management

Deliver agreed operating cost budgets, inventory targets and planned Gain-share benefits, with clear accountability for financial performance.

Establish and manage KPIs covering inventory value, working capital, stock turns, forecast accuracy, availability, service level, obsolescence, excess inventory, operating cost and financial benefits. Provide clear monthly reporting of performance against targets

Identify and implement further cost-down and value-creation opportunities through improved planning, process optimisation, supplier collaboration and technology.

Ensure inventory decisions consider the total cost to serve, including stockholding, transport, warehousing, obsolescence, expediting and service-related costs.

* Inventory Strategy & Governance

Govern the Inventory Planning business process and supporting IT systems to deliver the required balance of inventory availability, customer service and working capital performance.

Set appropriate inventory policies, parameters and planning strategies based on customer demand, commercial priorities, supply risk and financial objectives.

Establish appropriate governance, controls and decision-making processes to ensure inventory is actively managed as a commercial asset rather than simply an operational requirement.

Monitor inventory exposure and risk, proactively identifying opportunities to reduce excess, slow-moving and obsolete stock without compromising customer service.

* Customer & Commercial Engagement

Participate in senior customer interactions to understand current and future demand, commercial priorities, service expectations and inventory requirements.

Translate customer requirements into commercially sustainable inventory strategies and planning solutions.

Provide clients with insight and recommendations on inventory performance, working capital opportunities, service trade-offs and future supply chain risks.

Build strong relationships with client stakeholders and internal commercial, operational, finance and technology teams to drive joint value creation.

* Inventory Risk, Obsolescence & Lifecycle Management

Lead the inventory-related aspects of product lifecycle management, including all-time buys, new product introduction, product transitions, obsolescence…