Network Planning Manager - GM and Clothing
Salary: Competitive Plus Benefits
Location: London Store Support Centre - Field Based and Home, London, EC1M 6HA
Contract type: Permanent
Business area: Logistics
Closing date: 23 March 2026
Requisition ID: 400052247
In a nutshell
To plan, design, evaluate and optimize the Logistics network for GM and Clothing, and oversee network analysis initiatives to gather metrics like effectiveness, efficiency, and security and identify areas for improvement. To own both short- and long-term capacity planning, forecasting, and responding to changes in demand.
What outcomes I need to deliver
- Work collaboratively with Supply Chain, Operations, and other teams to optimise volume flow within the network, through accurate demand forecasting, and labour planning to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
- Resolve capacity constraints by providing commercially viable solutions to deliver for the customer.
- Monitor and track key variables that impact key performance indicators and budgets, such as order volumes, transportation costs, inventory levels, and service levels. Identify trends and patterns to proactively address potential issues and optimise performance.
- Utilise data analysis tools and techniques to analyse large datasets and generate meaningful insights. Create visualisations, reports, and dashboards to effectively communicate trends, patterns, and key performance metrics.
- Track and analyse variances in planned volumes versus budget and forecasts. Quantify the customer and commercial impacts and share these with the business.
- Develop long term plans and determine the impact of the network on fleet and resource requirements.
- Conduct trend analysis to identify long-term patterns, seasonality, and market trends that impact operations. Use this information to develop proactive strategies for handling volume influxes during peak trading periods. Collaborate effectively to optimise capacity, resources, and infrastructure to meet increased demand.
- Collaborate with the finance team to provide accurate and timely information for budgeting and forecasting purposes.
- Continuously evaluate and improve network planning processes and systems. Identify opportunities for automation, optimisation, simplification, standardisation and streamlining of these activities. Proactively seek innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiency, customer service, and cost-effectiveness.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align network planning initiatives with overall business objectives. Effectively communicate trends, insights, challenges, and opportunities to stakeholders.
What I need to know and show
- Knowledge and experience in network planning, demand forecasting, and data analysis - essential.
- Effective written and spoken communicator at all levels, with the ability to manage senior stakeholders and present at leadership forums - essential.
- Strong analytical skills, with a proven ability to analyse complex data sets and identify trends, patterns, and insights. Translate these insights into easily digestible information to all levels - essential.
- Highly proficient in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel.
- Drive and tenacity to create and deliver work on own initiative, without needing to be told or encouraged to do so.
- Change management skills and the ability to ensure that any changes in the network happen smoothly and effectively - essential.
- Commercial acumen and an appreciation of market dynamics - essential.
- Proficiency in using data analysis tools and software, such as Excel & Power BI.
- Strong data visualisation and storytelling skills to effectively communicate insights.
- Knowledge of supply chain management principles and best practices, or an ability to gain this.
- The ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- The ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.
- A continuous improvement mindset with a focus on innovation and process optimisation.
Our Valued Behaviours are our common DNA that every colleague should live by and provide the benchmark for how we deliver our goals/individual contribution, and how we relate to other colleagues in the organisation.
- Own it
- Consistently deliver on outcomes and communicate clear plans and goals to others, resolving problems independently
- Clearly and respectfully speak you mind, invite others to challenge or build on ideas and actively listen
- Proactively seek to understand the changing business context and work with peers to solve business challenges. Regularly review your goals to ensure you are focused on the right things
- Make it better
- Embrace new ways of doing things without fear of failure, supporting others to do the same
- Open minded and proactively adapt your approach during times of change, supporting others to deal with unforeseen situations
- Show curiosity about how the wider business operates
- Proactively seek feedback from a broad range of colleagues to build a robust development plan. Give feedback to colleagues at all levels.
- Be human
- Appreciate others’ moods and feelings and consciously adjust your approach accordingly
- Proactively build relationships based on honesty and integrity
- Always consider the customer’s perspective, continually looking for opportunities to build a great customer experience
What decisions I can make including budget
- Decisions impacting capacity and network planning.
- Decisions relating to network capacity which have a direct impact on our profitability and cost to serve.
Support we will provide
- This is based on individual’s areas for growth but will typically include access to personal development tools e.g. Bitesize talks, online self-development tools, internal mentoring and coaching etc.
We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer so you’ll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there’s always the chance to try something new — whether that’s as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working. When you join our team, we’ll also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Here are some of them: Starting off with colleague discount, you'll be able to save 10% on your shopping online and instore at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat, and we regularly increase the discount to 15% at points during the year. We've also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover. You'll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance-related bonus of up to 20% of salary, depending on how we perform. Your wellbeing is important to us too. You'll receive an annual holiday allowance, and you can buy up to an additional week's holiday, and we provide private healthcare. We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, interest free car loan of up to £10k, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, salary advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day) as well access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers. And if you ever need it there is also an Employee Assistance Programme. Moments that matter are as important to us as they are to you which is why we give up to 26 weeks’ pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks’ pay for paternity leave. Please see www.sainsburys.jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).
