Head of Food Planning – MENA & Asia

About the role

The Head of Food Planning will lead the planning function for food categories across the MENA region and Asia. Reporting to senior leadership, you will own the planning strategy, governance and capability required to maximise value through the RELEX platform. The role combines forecasting, replenishment and inventory optimisation to support business growth and operational excellence.

Key responsibilities

• Establish and enforce planning governance, standards and consistent ways of working across all food markets.
• Act as the business owner of RELEX, ensuring the platform delivers optimal forecasting, replenishment and inventory optimisation.
• Develop and continuously improve planning policies, parameters and governance for all food categories.
• Deliver market‑leading demand forecasting and replenishment performance to maximise availability while minimising waste and inventory investment.
• Lead, coach and develop a high‑performing demand and replenishment planning team.
• Partner with Buying, Supply Chain, Retail Operations, Logistics, Technology and M&S UK to align planning decisions with commercial priorities.
• Drive planning innovation, automation and continuous improvement initiatives.

Required profile

• Proven leadership experience in demand planning, replenishment or inventory management within a retail or food environment.
• Strong analytical mindset with a data‑driven decision‑making approach.
• Excellent collaboration skills to work across buying, supply chain, logistics and technology functions.
• Ability to build and develop high‑performing teams and succession plans.

Required skills

• Hands‑on experience with the RELEX planning platform.
• Expertise in demand forecasting, replenishment and inventory optimisation techniques.