Returning to Soap & Glory shortly after the business was acquired by Walgreens-Boots-Alliance. I have played a key role in the stock management process during a transition period - specifically helping to facilitate the merging of the warehousing function into Boots Retail supply chain. I have also simultaneously ensured a long term stock strategy is in place to provide sufficient cover for an aggressive expansion into numerous new retailers in the United States, whilst continuing to ensure undisrupted stock availability for current wholesale customers.

Taking a central role in the supply chain of a global business, within an FMCG market growing at over 20% year-on-year. My key responsibility is to manage the stock profile within the supply chain. This involves working closely with the production planner and demand planners to ensure stock is in the most cost effective location, whilst also maximizing customer service level. I am also the key liaison with the 3rd party logistics operation on site for day to day running. Network capacity constraints have created many challenges – including managing the growing stock profile during the stock build for summer peak, balancing stock for the opening of a new warehouse, and clearing stocks for racking installation – whilst maintaining customer service levels. I’m also responsible for managing and planning the supply, forecasting and transport of the fast growing imports from international Nestle brands -from France, Spain and Italy, including leading bilateral meetings and monthly target reviews. I also manage aged stock and bad goods within the network to minimize waste.

Responsible for overseeing logistics for the brand, managing intake and despatch and working with different areas within the supply chain to meet business needs. Also responsible for collating and analysing information to provide both long and short term forecasts, used for resource planning by the DC and store delivery scheduling. Due to the performance and expansion of the brand, in June 2010 I oversaw the move from Arcadia’s distribution centre in Monkspath, Birmingham to an alternative site in Leeds, working closely with the third party logistics provider and managing the impact of the move on the brand. I manage and train the Logistics Analyst.

Prime responsibility for managing intake into the business and transport. Working closely with Merchandising, the Distribution Centre, Group Logistics and various carriers, booked stock into the DC, working to management intake targets. Prepared monthly forecasts to plan supply-chain capacity requirements, planned store delivery schedules and carried out general tasks such as store transfers, product recalls and DC/processing queries.