IAN KINGDON
Eastleigh,Hampshire
Summary
A results-driven professional with extensive experience in managing, developing, and motivating teams to achieve their goals efficiently and effectively. Highly focused with a deep understanding of planning, logistics, and supply chain management. A high level of analytical and organisational skill achieved within manufacturing and retail environments.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work history
Planning & Logistics Manager
Excelitas Technologies Corp.
Hamble, Hampshire
2022.07 - Current
- Managing a team of 16 IDLs covering Production Planning, Logistics, and Stores functions. Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, overseeing the development and growth of the Hamble site.
- Identify opportunities for cost and efficiency improvements within the Hamble site. Acting as the point of contact for Logistics operations and demand activity, liaising with internal and external customers..
- Monitor performance and conduct monthly reviews of staff KPIs to achieve Operations objectives. Organise and coordinate cross-training within departments to enhance organisational agility.
- Manage day-to-day budget and activities across Logistics and Planning to support On-Time Delivery (OTD). Ensure the Hamble site meets the corporate KPI target for OTD of 85%; achieving an OTD level of over 87%, up from 62%.
- Conduct strategic production planning in collaboration with customers, considering capital and deadline constraints to ensure timely supply of products to meet customer demand.
- Oversee Goods In/Out and Shipping, ensuring timely and accurate booking in of materials and dispatch to support operations and customer requirements. Implement a 24-hour booking-in deadline to ensure proper processing of materials.
- Manage Planning and Stores functions, maintaining the kitting schedule, inventory levels, and material availability to support production requirements. Lead a project to reduce total inventory by $2m which was achieved by end 2024 (20% of total inventory value).
- Ensure logistics costs support profitability, participating in cost-reduction roadmaps. Analysing and track site logistics spend against budget, providing recommendations for development areas.
- Lead the implementation of best practices and continuous improvement of Planning, Logistics, and Stores processes.
- Implemented S&OP at the Hamble site to drive growth and accountability across all functions. Developed site KPIs to bring visibility to performance metrics that were previously missing.
- Served as a super user for the SAP implementation, covering the Materials Management (MM) and Production Planning (PP) sections. Provided guidance and support during the rollout, ensuring smooth integration and functionality. Trained and assisted team members in using SAP effectively, enhancing overall operational efficiency and data accuracy. Played a key role in troubleshooting and resolving issues,
Head of Sales & Operations Planning
Britax Romer EMEA
Andover, Hampshire
2019.09 - 2022.03
- Led a team of two direct and three indirect employees to achieve Britax Römer EMEA business and financial objectives.
- Established demand-planning processes for new and existing products in collaboration with Product Management, Sales, and other departments.
- Facilitated regional and consolidated EMEA demand reviews with Sales Directors, covering short to long-term planning (1 to 18 months).
- Presented the Executive Roadmap S&OP review to the European Management Team, focusing on forecasting accuracy, variances, service levels, and inventory.
- Researched business issues to identify risks and opportunities.
- Defined optimal inventory parameters for the EMEA supply chain.
- Prepared the monthly S&OP deck using inputs from multiple departments. Conducted monthly reviews with regional Sales Directors to maintain and amend short, medium, and long-term demand plans, bridging the gap between actual vs. budget at both volume and value levels.
European Supply Planning Manager
Britax Romer EMEA
Andover, Hampshire
2017.10 - 2019.09
- Implemented demand planning software (Forecast Pro) and oversaw regional demand plans for Asian-sourced wheeled goods and UK/German-manufactured car seats.
- Actively managed E&O products with commercial departments to mitigate risks.
- Managed inventory within Britax Römer EMEA's working capital objectives, reducing inventory by 38% (€1.5m) in the first year.
- Participated in monthly meetings to define short and long-term objectives, translating demand plans into supply plans, and achieving a 97% OTIF rate.
- Led the European project on Brexit impact, collaborating with KPMG and heading the project to determine the best course of action.
- Led the UK Customer Service Team (maternity cover) for one year, managing five representatives and assisting retailers with demand requirements based on sell-in/sell-out data.
European Supply Chain Manager - Wheeled Goods
Britax Romer EMEA
Andover, Hampshire
2015.01 - 2017.09
- Managed the end-to-end supply chain for Wheeled Goods across Europe, ensuring seamless coordination from procurement to delivery. Oversaw sourcing, production, inventory management, and distribution, optimizing processes to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. Collaborated with suppliers, manufacturers, and logistics partners to meet demand and maintain high service levels
- Worked closely with Finance to set yearly financial budgets and identify cost-saving opportunities, saving £42K annually by changing freight forwarders.
- Managed all aspects of the Nordic Warehouse, including full P&L responsibility and leading the movement of the Finnish 3PL warehouse, saving €360K annually.
- Reviewed and implemented new business processes within the SCM team to drive efficiency and improve cross-functional collaboration.
Production and Demand Planning Controller
Britax Romer EMEA
Andover, Hampshire
2008.08 - 2014.12
- 6 years of production planning experience and sourcing core materials from UK, European, and Asian suppliers.
- Managed the product life cycle from concept to mass production and discontinuation.
- Participated in the implementation of a new ERP system (Microsoft Dynamics AX), achieving 94% efficiency at the UK factory.
- Defined stock-on-hand levels and safety stocks to meet customer service levels, achieving a 1-day ATP lead-time.
- Collaborated with SCM to address risks where future demand exceeded production capacity, providing solutions to the EMT team.
Logistics Planner
Medtronic (formerly Covidien & Tyco Healthcare)
Basingstoke, Hampshire
2007.05 - 2008.08
- Provided manufacturing plants with net requirements for production and supply in the appropriate formats (e.g. PO's, forecasts, manufacturing net requirements)
- Collaborated with end customers to establish short, medium, and long-term goals.
- Worked towards a targeted OTIF figure of 95%, consistently achieving 98% fulfillment rate.
- Implemented continuous improvement initiatives to reduce costs - balancing service. inventory and logistics costs to achieve optimal efficiency.
- Reviewed forecasts and new product launches, providing validated volume outputs to plants and suppliers.
- Proactively encouraged Sales Directors to sell slow-moving products, resulting in less than 1% of total inventory falling into this category.
Audit Manager - Grade 3
The Nuance Group (now the Dufry Group)
Eastleigh, Hampshire
2004.07 - 2007.05
- Conducted stock audits within SAP for Northern European outlets.
- Managed Liquor and Tobacco payments to Customs and Excise for losses.
- Investigated, analyzed, and reported discrepancies; reconciled with outlet staff.
- Successfully implemented SAP procedures across the organisation and conducted comprehensive training sessions for site staff on audit practices.
Stock Inventory Analyst - Grade 1
The Nuance Group (now the Dufry Group)
Eastleigh, Hampshire
2000.06 - 2004.07
- Procured Liquor and Tobacco products from Nuance D.C and external suppliers for distribution across European airport locations.
- Regularly evaluated reorder levels to align with seasonal trends and the introduction or discontinuation of products
- Part of the Shrinkage Team, tasked with reducing regional spending by £500,000 annually.
- Assisted in establishing model stock levels for Liquor & Tobacco at the new distribution centre in Sweden for 6 weeks.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Studies
Southampton Solent University
Southampton 2001.04 -
Skills
- Production scheduling
- Supply chain management
- Data analysis
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Advanced Excel knowledge
- Sales and production forecasting
- Logistics coordination
- SAP Materials Management (MM)
- SAP Production Planning (PP)
- Inventory control
Timeline
Planning & Logistics Manager
Excelitas Technologies Corp.
2022.07 - Current
Head of Sales & Operations Planning
Britax Romer EMEA
2019.09 - 2022.03
European Supply Planning Manager
Britax Romer EMEA
2017.10 - 2019.09
European Supply Chain Manager - Wheeled Goods
Britax Romer EMEA
2015.01 - 2017.09
Production and Demand Planning Controller
Britax Romer EMEA
2008.08 - 2014.12
Logistics Planner
Medtronic (formerly Covidien & Tyco Healthcare)
2007.05 - 2008.08
Audit Manager - Grade 3
The Nuance Group (now the Dufry Group)
2004.07 - 2007.05
Bachelor of Arts - Business Studies
Southampton Solent University
2001.04 -
Stock Inventory Analyst - Grade 1
The Nuance Group (now the Dufry Group)
2000.06 - 2004.07