SAP Functional Lead - Inventory, Planning & Data

SAP Functional Lead - Inventory, Planning & Data

As Centrica's SAP Functional Tech Lead for Inventory, Planning & Data, you will own and shape SAP centric inventory, forecasting, replenishment and supply chain data capabilities within the Supply Chain Platform, delivering measurable improvements in forecast accuracy, stock visibility and inventory optimisation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Own and shape the functional design of inventory, forecasting and replenishment solutions across SAP planning systems (IBP for Demand, IBP for Inventory, S/4HANA MRP and Predictive MRP), ensuring clean integration and smooth downstream execution.
• Champion fit to standard planning and inventory design, prioritising SAP standard planning approaches, data structures and KPIs while challenging unnecessary custom logic.
• Partner with Master Data, Analytics and Finance teams to ensure planning solutions consume enterprise master data services correctly and feed operational and financial reporting reliably.
• Work with Supply Chain Operations SMEs to enable data driven forecasting, replenishment and inventory management, improving forecast accuracy, plan adherence and inventory efficiency.
• Establish reliable, observable planning processes, ensuring forecast outputs, inventory positions and KPIs are explainable, traceable and trusted.
• Define and track planning KPIs such as forecast accuracy, bias, MAPE, plan adherence, inventory health and data quality thresholds.
• Identify opportunities where AI/ML, advanced SAP native planning capabilities and automation can enhance forecast accuracy, inventory health, replenishment decisions and planner productivity.
• Provide functional leadership on planning standards and guardrails, working with Product, Architecture, Finance, Data, Operations and delivery squads to keep solutions consistent, reliable and aligned to business outcomes.

What we need from you:

• Strong hands on experience delivering forecasting, replenishment and inventory optimisation capabilities in SAP centric planning landscapes, including SAP IBP, S/4HANA MRP or Predictive MRP, and integrating or extending standard SAP capability where needed.
• Deep command of SAP planning data structures and hierarchies, including product, location hierarchies and planning master data, and how these drive forecasting accuracy, replenishment logic and inventory optimisation.
• Proven experience defining and governing planning KPIs and metrics, such as forecast accuracy, bias, MAPE, plan adherence and inventory health.
• Practical understanding of supply chain planning and inventory operations, including S/OP cadence, replenishment policies, KPI interpretation and service level versus cost trade offs.
• Strong appreciation of how planning outputs support operational execution, financial forecasting, inventory valuation and working capital decisions.
• Awareness of SAP native AI capabilities, machine learning in demand forecasting, advanced analytics and the realities of adopting AI within an ERP centred estate.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to influence Product, Operations, Finance, Data, Architecture and delivery teams and translate complex planning topics into business impact.

Benefits: You will have the flexibility to choose what you need, when you need it, with financial, physical and emotional support available throughout your career.