Job Description

NDC Inventory Manager

• Location: Hybrid – Hatfield (Trident Place) & Work from Home
• Contract: Fixed Term Contract (15 months) – Full time (Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm)

We’re looking for a proactive Inventory Planning Manager to join our Supply Chain Network team. In this role, you’ll take ownership of stock flows into and out of our Distribution Centre (NDC), working closely with suppliers, inbound operations, transport, and commercial teams to ensure products are available where and when they’re needed.

This isn’t just about moving stock -you’ll be solving real challenges every day. Whether it’s managing supplier deliveries into the NDC, arranging slots into Customer Fulfilment Centres (CFCs), or deciding what to do when deliveries don’t match orders, you’ll be making the calls that protect space, cost, and availability.

You’ll also play a central role in promotional, seasonal, and new site planning, while helping us move away from Excel-based “shadow IT” and towards better use of systems like Utopia and OSP. You’ll be joining a supportive team, with a structured onboarding and handover period.

You will be:

• Managing inventory from suppliers into the 3rd party NDC, and from the NDC to CFCs (similar to a demand planning function).
• Working with inbound operations to arrange delivery slots and keep stock moving smoothly into CFCs.
• Partnering with transport teams to align product flow with available capacity.
• Handling delivery discrepancies (e.g. when 100 units are ordered but 200 arrive), making decisions on rejection, receipt, or reallocation.
• Monitoring space utilisation and its impact on availability and stock control.
• Using Utopia and OSP to manage stock efficiently, while supporting the transition away from Excel-based processes.
• Building strong relationships with suppliers, demand planners, and stakeholders to improve performance and collaboration.
• Supporting promotional, seasonal, and new site planning to ensure the right products are in the right place at the right time.
• Identifying and delivering process improvements to enhance supply chain systems and practices.

About you:

• Proven experience in inventory management, supply planning, or demand planning within FMCG, e-commerce, or another fast-paced supply chain environment.
• Strong analytical and Excel skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Confident making operational decisions independently, balancing cost, availability, and space.
• Skilled in working with multiple stakeholders — from suppliers and transport teams to inbound operations and commercial colleagues.
• Familiar with supply chain systems (ideally Utopia/OSP or similar), and motivated to help drive better system adoption.
• Organised, adaptable, and able to prioritise effectively in a changing environment.

Interview process

• Stage 1: Virtual interview with 2 panel member(s)
• Stage 2: Virtual interview with Jack (hiring manager) + panel member(s)

Our interviews will include a mix of technical, situational, and behavioural questions.

What you can expect in return

• Flexible work policy – up to 30 days per year from anywhere
• 25 days holiday (rising to 27 after 5 years) + option to buy more
• Private Medical Insurance and wellbeing support
• Pension scheme with up to 7% employer match
• Family-friendly leave and benefits
• Share schemes, shopping discounts, free shuttle buses, and more

Ocado Group is an equal opportunities employer and as such makes every effort to ensure that all potential employees are treated fairly and equally, regardless of , , marital status, , , nationality, or , or belief, , , or union membership status.

Join Ocado Logistics today and play a key role in building a high-performing supply chain that delivers for our customers, suppliers, and colleagues.