Supply & Demand Manager
Chester, ENG, GB, CH1 2BQ
Supply & Demand Manager - AMPT UK
As a member of the UK Management Team, with overall responsibility for the Planning, Supply and Demand function within the UK Metal Beverage Division, reporting directly to the General Manager.
The role leads a team with a strong emphasis on collaboration, accountability, and ethical leadership, working effectively with both internal and external stakeholders. The team supports a broad portfolio of Can and End beverage customers, managing demand requirements or approximately 5.5-6 billion cans and ends within a high volume, fast moving FMCG environment.
Key Responsibilities
Demand & Supply Planning
- Lead long-term (monthly) demand forecasting and stock projection analysis, ensuring accurate communication to UK customers via approved planning systems.
- Own short-term (weekly) demand planning using customer- and size-specific planning tools.
- Coordinate campaign planning in close collaboration with UK manufacturing plants and operational teams.
Performance Management & Governance
- Manage performance through defined objectives, roadmaps, and KPIs, including:
- Stock coverage
- Forecast accuracy
- Slow-moving and obsolete stock
- Right-first-time performance
- Speed to market
- Cost–benefit analysis
- Customer revenue impact
- Ensure alignment with annual, 3-year, and 5-year business plans, translating strategic goals into operational KPIs.
Logistics & Cross-Functional Alignment
- Develop and maintain a strong understanding of transport and warehouse operations.
- Align supply and demand plans through the Weekly Logistics Review process to ensure seamless execution across the supply chain.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead, coach, and develop direct and indirect reports, fostering a high-performance and collaborative team culture.
- Act as a key interface between Supply & Demand, Commercial (Sales), Customer Technical Services (CTS), QA, Graphics, Logistics, Plant Management, and European Supply & Demand teams.
- Maintain strong customer-facing relationships to support service, continuity, and issue resolution.
Key Interfaces
Internal:
- Key member of the UK Management Team
- Supply & Demand Planning
- Commercial (Sales)
- Logistics & Warehousing
- QA, CTS, Graphics
- Plant Management
- European Supply & Demand
External:
- UK Beverage Can Customers
- Logistics service providers
Decision-Making Authority
- End-to-end responsibility for UK supply chain planning decisions within agreed governance and budget frameworks
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Education & Training
- Minimum of 5 GCSEs including Maths, English, and Science
- Fluent English (written and verbal); additional languages advantageous
Experience
- Supply Chain, a related discipline or
- Minimum 5 years’ experience within an FMCG environment, with demonstrable expertise in supply chain planning (experience in packaging manufacturing is advantageous)
Core Competencies
- Strong customer focus and service orientation
- Proven people leadership and development capability
- High levels of motivation, integrity, and trust
- Excellent organisational and planning skills
- Strong analytical and process management capability
- Excellent presentation and communication skills
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation and benefits package
- A role with regional impact and visibility
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
- A collaborative, inclusive culture where diversity is valued and encouraged
About Ardagh Group
Ardagh Group is a global leader in metal and glass packaging solutions, producing packaging for the world’s leading brands. We trace our roots all the way back to the Irish Glass Bottle Company, founded in 1932. Since then we have grown rapidly to a team of more than 20,000 people with revenues of almost $10 billion. Today we have a presence across Europe, Africa and the Americas.
- Did you know that Ardagh produce many of the beverage cans and bottles you drink your favourite beverages from?
- Did you know we produce metal and glass packaging which are permanent materials, meaning they can be infinitely recycled without any loss of quality?
- Did you know we produce more than 160 million containers per day?
Ardagh is passionate about sustainability and have a reputation for innovation. We push the boundaries of what’s possible, pioneering new production methods, new design techniques and new ways to recycle and save energy. Our aim is to reduce any negative environmental impact whilst remaining economically sustainable and socially responsible.
We believe that the success of our business depends on the success of our people. We strive to create working environments where our employees feel valued, can work to their full potential, and where their achievements are celebrated.
Here at Ardagh, we offer exciting and rewarding opportunities for talented and creative people. If you have ambition and want to make an impact with your career, come and join our team, you’ll enjoy the journey!
Click here for more information about our careers or click here for more information about Ardagh Group.