Supply Planner, EMEA

Kao; England; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A global cosmetics company in England is looking for a Supply Planner 3PM to lead supply planning for third-party manufacturing. This role involves ensuring on-time, in-full delivery while optimizing inventory and costs. Candidates should have 5–7 years of manufacturing experience, ideally in FMCG and strong SAP skills. This position offers a dynamic environment focused on collaboration and innovative practices.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of manufacturing experience, ideally in cosmetics, toiletries, or FMCG.
• Effective cross-functional collaborator, able to drive results across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead third-party manufacturing supply planning activities.
• Oversee materials readiness for production.
• Drive plan adherence and identify constraints in real time.

Skills

Decision-making

Collaboration

SAP experience

Materials requirements planning

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent experience

Job description

Founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people's lives with our high quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all – a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and customers as well as the planet. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment.

As a company driven by purpose and strong corporate values, we pride ourselves on being listed among the World's Most Ethical Companies for 19 consecutive years. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation and treating each other with trust and respect.

Responsibilities

As the Supply Planner 3PM, you’ll lead third‑party manufacturing (3PM) supply planning activities to ensure on‑time, in‑full (OTIF) delivery while optimising inventory, capacity, and costs. Partnering closely with Sourcing, Quality, Customer, and other business functions, you’ll own the short‑to‑mid‑term supply schedules to meet demand, service, and cost targets. You’ll oversee materials readiness for 3PM production, including packaging, labels, and components, and manage purchase order release and closure with full traceability and compliance.

You’ll drive plan adherence, proactively identify and resolve constraints in real time, and lead daily and weekly planning meetings, including scenario planning. With responsibility for maintaining accurate MRP parameters and master data, you’ll continuously monitor and improve key performance indicators such as OTIF, days of inventory (DOH), and schedule adherence – all while streamlining and enhancing planning processes.

Key Requirements

• Coordinate end‑to‑end 3PM operations and make complex decisions to improve ROI. Utilise storage space at the suppliers with minimal cost impact.
• Work in collaboration with internal departments (Sourcing, NPD, R&D, logistics, etc.) on a nearly daily basis to align business expectations with significant sales revenue impact.
• Manage key vendor forward requirements, supply plans and the placement of finished goods and components Purchase Orders (POs).
• Support all new product launches and range reviews. Ensure seasonal sales promotions are met with full quantities available in all markets in a timely manner.

What you’ll need

• Degree‑level education or equivalent professional experience.
• 5–7 years of manufacturing experience, ideally in cosmetics, toiletries, or FMCG.
• Strong SAP experience in supply chain and production planning.
• Proven track record in internal and external demand and supply planning, including collaboration with third‑party suppliers.
• Skilled in complex decision‑making with significant cost impact.
• Experience delivering short‑, mid‑, and long‑term objectives in fast‑paced, changing environments.
• Effective cross‑functional collaborator, able to drive results across teams.
• Solid understanding of materials requirements planning (MRP) within manufacturing.

How We Work

Having been selected among the World's Most Ethical Companies for 19 consecutive years, we are a company with a purpose and strong corporate values. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. At Kao, each employee can actively shape their job and their career. We work collaboratively to achieve our common goals, always aiming to deliver the best for our customers.

Hiring Process

Kao embraces the diversity and the individual personalities of its people because we believe it is diversity that makes us strong. This is why we welcome applications from all areas of the global community.

Want to Learn More

If you feel you are as unique as our products and want to find out why 33,000 people across the globe opted for a career with us, please visit https://www.kao.com/emea/en/