Supply Chain Planner
Also advertised as: Demand Planner, Inventory Planner, Materials Planner, Production Planner, Stock Controller, Supply Chain Planner
Forecasts demand and plans stock so products arrive where they are needed without excess.
What the job involves
Supply chain planners balance having enough stock against tying up cash. You forecast demand, raise purchase plans, watch lead times and supplier reliability, and react when something disrupts the flow. Highly analytical and increasingly well paid.
Typical responsibilities
- Forecast demand using sales and seasonal data
- Plan replenishment and stock levels
- Track supplier lead times and reliability
- Resolve shortages and excess stock
- Report on service levels and stock value
Common employers
- Manufacturers
- Supermarkets
- Wholesalers
- Pharmaceutical firms
- E-commerce retailers
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£26,000 – £32,000 a year
With experience
£38,000 – £52,000 a year
Typical hours
37.5 hours
Working environment
Office based, sometimes near a distribution centre
Remote working
hybrid
Demand for this work
high
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Forecasting
- Advanced spreadsheets
- ERP systems
- Problem solving
- Supplier communication
Transferable skills you may already have
- Stock counting and control
- Spotting patterns in data
- Working under time pressure
Requirements employers ask for
- Forecasting
- Advanced spreadsheets
- ERP systems
- Problem solving
- Supplier communication
- No formal qualification required
Useful but not essential
- Stock counting and control
- Spotting patterns in data
- Working under time pressure
- CIPS or APICS certification
- Level 4 Supply Chain Practitioner
Helpful qualifications
- CIPS or APICS certification
- Level 4 Supply Chain Practitioner
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Supply Chain Practitioner (Level 3)
- Supply Chain Leadership Professional (Level 6)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Supply chain
- Related subject: Business
- Related subject: Maths
- Related subject: Economics
Where this career can lead
next
Senior Planner
next
Supply Chain Manager
next
Head of Supply Chain
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Analytical work without needing to code
- Strong demand across manufacturing and retail
- Clear progression
What people find hard
- Disruption puts you under immediate pressure
- Detail-heavy
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a supply chain planner?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a supply chain planner earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £26,000 to £32,000 a year, rising towards £52,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Stock counting and control, Spotting patterns in data, Working under time pressure.
Related careers
Warehouse Manager
Runs a warehouse operation: people, stock accuracy, safety and despatch performance.
Warehouse Operative
Picks, packs, loads and moves stock accurately and safely in a warehouse.
Freight Forwarder
Arranges the movement of goods internationally by sea, air, road or rail on behalf of clients.
Customs Declarations Clerk
Prepares and submits customs declarations for goods entering or leaving the UK.
Stock Controller
Monitors stock levels and movements to keep inventory accurate and available.
Procurement Assistant
Supports the buying of goods and services a business needs to operate.
Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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