Forecasting & Capability Manager

You will be accountable for leading the forecasting and capability planning processes across Distribution, ensuring operational plans are aligned to customer demand, network capacity and strategic business priorities. Using data-led decision making, stakeholder collaboration and continuous improvement, you will translate business changes, seasonal events and strategic initiatives into robust, executable volume and capacity plans.

You will proactively identify risks, opportunities and constraints, enabling Distribution to deliver outstanding service while optimising efficiency and cost. As a recognised subject matter expert in forecasting and capability planning, you will influence decisions across Distribution, Supply Chain, Stores and Technology, helping to shape the future direction and performance of the network.

Please be aware this role is based in our Tesco Daventry Clothing Depot, Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN6 7GY

• Own end-to-end forecasting processes for Distribution Centres, ensuring accurate volume forecasts for Goods In, Goods Out and operational space requirements.
• Develop and maintain robust forecasting models incorporating seasonal events, trading activity, promotions, weather impacts, network changes and strategic initiatives.
• Own forecast accuracy performance and drive continuous improvement through detailed root cause analysis and corrective action plans.
• Monitor forecast performance trends and provide insight, recommendations and mitigation plans to stakeholders.
• Model operational scenarios and assess the impact of strategic, seasonal and network changes.
• Lead capability planning activities across the Distribution network, identifying future capacity requirements, operational constraints and emerging risks.
• Support network optimisation and strategic decision making through detailed data analysis and planning recommendations.
• Represent Distribution within cross-functional working groups, projects and change programmes.
• Build strong collaborative relationships across Distribution, Supply Chain, Store Ordering, Technology, Finance and Retail Operations.
• Influence stakeholders at all levels to achieve aligned business outcomes and successful implementation of planning decisions.
• Communicate complex operational information clearly and concisely to support decision making.
• Drive improvements in forecasting accuracy, planning processes and operational effectiveness. Identify opportunities to simplify processes and reduce manual intervention.
• Champion the adoption of automation, analytics and AI-enabled solutions to improve forecasting capability and planning efficiency.
• Share best practice and promote a culture of continuous improvement across the planning community.
• Validate and prepare planning data for peak, seasonal and business-critical periods.
• Support Distribution Centres and central teams with planning insight, tools and reporting.
• Work closely with Store Ordering teams to balance service requirements, operational capability and customer outcomes.
• Configure and review ordering system settings to ensure alignment with Distribution Centre capability.
• Provide timely and actionable planning updates, risks and recommendations to Distribution Leadership teams.
• Participate in Network Planning weekend duty support.

• Experience in forecasting or supply chain planning.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Experience managing and interpreting large data sets.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and cross-functional delivery.
• Excellent communication, organisation and prioritisation skills.
• Experience delivering operational improvement.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a dynamic environment.
• Advanced Excel, Tableau, SQL, VBA or similar analytical tools.
• Desirable
• Distri…