Head of Buying & Demand Planning

About FOCO

FOCO is a growing sports-licensed merchandise business supplying an extensive range of products to major retailers, online marketplaces and consumers across the UK and Europe.

Working with leading football clubs and sporting brands, we operate in a fast-paced, seasonal environment where product availability, speed to market, commercial buying decisions and effective inventory management are critical to our success.

We are looking for a commercially astute, highly analytical Buying & Demand Planning Manager to strengthen our buying and inventory planning capabilities and support our continued growth.

The Role

This is a pivotal role combining commercial buying, demand forecasting, inventory management and data-driven decision-making.

The successful candidate will take ownership of the buying and demand planning process, ensuring the business purchases the right products, in the right quantities, at the right time and at the right commercial terms.

We are particularly interested in candidates who combine strong buying experience with exceptional Excel and data analytics skills, proficiency in SQL and an enthusiastic, practical approach to adopting artificial intelligence (AI).

This is not a traditional purchasing role. We are looking for someone who can challenge assumptions, improve processes and use technology to deliver measurable commercial improvements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Demand Planning & Forecasting

• Develop and maintain accurate SKU-level demand forecasts across product categories, customers and sales channels.
• Analyse historical sales, seasonal trends, customer demand and promotional activity to inform purchasing decisions.
• Work closely with Sales, Finance and Product teams to align demand forecasts with commercial budgets and customer requirements.
• Develop forecasting models that identify sales trends, demand fluctuations and potential stock shortages.
• Improve forecast accuracy through regular analysis of actual sales against forecast.
• Support seasonal planning and new product launches, including products with limited sales history.

1. Buying & Supplier Management

• Manage purchasing activities across domestic and international suppliers, particularly Far East manufacturing partners.
• Negotiate competitive pricing, minimum order quantities, payment terms and production lead times.
• Develop purchasing plans that balance product availability, profitability and working capital requirements.
• Monitor supplier performance, production schedules and delivery commitments.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate purchases, improve margins and reduce procurement costs.
• Challenge buying decisions using robust commercial and financial analysis.

1. Inventory & Working Capital Management

• Optimise inventory levels to maximise availability while minimising excess and obsolete stock.
• Establish appropriate stock cover, reorder points and safety stock parameters.
• Monitor stock ageing, slow-moving inventory and potential obsolescence.
• Work with Finance to align purchasing commitments with cash flow forecasts and working capital targets.
• Develop reporting that provides visibility of future stock receipts, supplier commitments and projected inventory levels.
• Identify opportunities to improve inventory turnover and reduce cash tied up in stock.

1. Data Analytics, Systems & Reporting

• Develop sophisticated Excel-based planning and reporting models.
• Use SQL to extract, manipulate and analyse large datasets from ERP and other business systems.
• Build automated reporting and exception-based dashboards covering demand, stock, purchasing and supplier performance.
• Work with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or equivalent ERP platforms to improve planning processes and data integrity.
• Utilise Power Query, Power BI or equivalent tools to improve reporting efficiency.
• Reduce manual spreadsheet processes through automation and improved systems integration.

1. AI Adoption & Continuous Improvement — Essential Requirement

FOCO is committed to embracing artificial intelligence and modern technology to improve productivity, decision-making and commercial performance.

The successful candidate must be an active adopter of AI and demonstrate a genuine commitment to integrating AI into their everyday working practices.

Responsibilities will include:

• Proactively identify opportunities to apply AI to buying, demand forecasting, inventory management and supplier analysis.
• Use AI-powered tools to improve the speed, accuracy and efficiency of data analysis and reporting.
• Explore AI-assisted forecasting techniques to identify demand patterns, seasonality and potential inventory risks.
• Leverage tools such as Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT and other appropriate AI solutions to support analytical and administrative activities.
• Develop automated workflows that reduce repetitive manual tasks and improve the quality of management information.
• Keep abreast of developments in AI and assess their practical application within the buying and supply chain function.
• Champion AI adoption and knowledge-sharing across the wider business.
• Ensure AI tools are used responsibly, with appropriate data protection, commercial confidentiality and human validation of outputs.

Candidates should be prepared to provide practical examples of how they have used AI in their current or previous roles to deliver measurable improvements.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in a senior buying, demand planning, inventory planning or supply chain planning role.
• Strong commercial understanding of purchasing, inventory management, gross margins and working capital.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills , including complex formulas, Power Query, pivot tables and sophisticated modelling.
• Strong SQL capability , including querying and analysing large transactional datasets.
• Demonstrable experience developing and maintaining demand forecasts.
• Experience working with ERP systems and extracting meaningful commercial insights from data.
• Active and demonstrable adoption of AI tools in a professional environment.
• Strong analytical ability with exceptional attention to detail.
• Confident communicator capable of challenging commercial assumptions and influencing stakeholders.
• Experience managing international suppliers and extended manufacturing lead times.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience within consumer products, sports merchandise, gifting, toys, FMCG or other seasonal product categories.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
• Experience with Power BI, Python or advanced forecasting tools.
• Experience managing Amazon Vendor, major retail accounts or multichannel distribution.
• Previous responsibility for managing or mentoring buying and planning colleagues.
• Knowledge of international sourcing, landed costs and supplier payment terms.

Key Performance Indicators

Performance will be measured against a combination of commercial, operational and analytical objectives:

• Forecast accuracy and forecast bias.
• Inventory turnover and stock cover.
• Reduction in aged, slow-moving and obsolete stock.
• Product availability and customer fulfilment performance.
• Purchasing margin improvements and supplier cost savings.
• Supplier on-time delivery performance.
• Working capital efficiency and adherence to purchasing budgets.
• Automation of reporting and measurable improvements through AI adoption.

Personal Attributes

We are looking for someone who is:

• Analytical: Naturally curious, comfortable with complex data and able to translate analysis into commercial action.
• Commercial: Understands that every purchasing decision affects profitability and cash flow.
• Technologically progressive: Enthusiastic about AI, automation and modern analytical tools.
• Proactive: Identifies issues and opportunities before they become problems.
• Collaborative: Builds strong relationships across Sales, Product, Finance and Supply Chain.
• Accountable: Takes ownership of decisions, results and continuous improvement.

What Success Looks Like

Within the first 12 months, the successful candidate will have:

• Established a robust, data-driven demand planning process across FOCO’s key product categories and sales channels.
• Improved visibility of future purchasing requirements, inventory levels and supplier commitments.
• Introduced automated reporting and forecasting tools that materially reduce manual processes.
• Demonstrated measurable improvements in inventory efficiency, forecast accuracy and purchasing performance.
• Embedded practical AI applications into the buying and planning function, delivering demonstrable time savings and improved decision-making.

Why Join FOCO?

This is an opportunity to play a significant role in shaping the buying and demand planning capabilities of a growing international sports merchandise business.

You will have the opportunity to influence commercial decisions, introduce new technology, improve systems and processes, and make a direct contribution to profitability, operational performance and working capital efficiency.

Pay: £55,000.00-£65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Free parking
• Gym membership
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance

Application question(s):

• Do you have experience within consumer products, sports merchandise, gifting, toys, FMCG or other seasonal product categories?
• Do you have experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central?
• Do you have any experience with Power BI, Python or advanced forecasting tools?
• Have you got experience managing Amazon Vendor, major retail accounts or multichannel distribution?

Work Location: In person