Supply Chain Planning Trainee

Action is active in 15 markets, and we continue to grow. This growth creates a constant supply chain challenge: keeping thousands of stores stocked while opening new stores every week. That is why we need new supply planners who want to grow with us.

As a Junior Supply Planner Trainee, you join an 18‑month programme that helps you build the skills and confidence to become a supply planning professional. From our international headquarters in North Holland, you learn how we work with suppliers, planners, and commercial teams to get thousands of products to our shelves at the lowest possible prices.

You take on real responsibilities from day one, contribute to product availability across Europe, and finish the traineeship with a clear next step in your career.

Supply Chain Planning Trainee

Your daily tasks

Your traineeship is structured in three phases of six months each:

Phase 1 – Foundation (Months 1–6)

In the first assignment you will learn all the basics of being a Supply Planner at Action. The goal of the first 6 months is to complete the Supply Chain Planning onboarding schedule (6 weeks) followed by a period of being responsible for ordering from a selection of suppliers. You will maintain the article DC forecast for your suppliers, place orders, and act as the first point of contact for your suppliers.

• Complete the 6-week Supply Chain Planning onboarding: meet your team, learn all processes, systems, and tools used as a supply planner.
• Meet key stakeholders including Buyers, Commercial Planners, and other Supply Chain Planning colleagues during the onboarding period.
• Maintain article DC forecasts, place orders, and act as the first point of contact for your assigned suppliers – under the guidance of an experienced supply planner (your buddy).
• Understand the main KPIs of a Supply Planner: article availability, inventory levels in 20+ European distribution centres, service levels (delivered vs. ordered store orders), and supplier delivery performance (OTIF).

Phase 2 – Skilling Up (Months 7–12)

In the second assignment you will be fully responsible for your specific range of items in a product group. Your buddy will take a step back but remains available to support you when needed. The goal in this period is to perform strongly on the main KPIs and, in case of underperformance, to be able to carry out a root cause analysis and present an action plan to improve.

• Take full ownership of your product range: manage forecasts, place orders, and monitor inventory across the distribution centres independently.
• Monitor and actively steer the main KPIs: article availability, service level, and supplier delivery performance (OTIF).
• Perform root cause analyses when KPIs are underperforming and present structured action plans to your team and manager.
• Collaborate with Buyers, Commercial Planners, suppliers, and other stakeholders to resolve supply issues and continuously improve stock availability.

Phase 3 – Creating Impact (Months 13–18)

In the third assignment, the goal for you is to become the expert in supply planning for your specific range of items. You will assist colleagues with supply planning processes and systems, propose process improvements and actively participate in business projects. This is also the phase to master the key skills of a supply planner and work on personal development targets to perform at your best.

• Step into a Supply Planner I role, taking on a larger supplier portfolio and more complex product categories. You are in the lead for the supplier performance meetings and KPIs for your assigned suppliers.
• Propose and contribute to process improvements within Supply Chain Planning and participate in broader business projects.

Your team

The Action Supply Chain Planning team consists of more than 40 supply planners. A supply planner focuses on ensuring a constant flow of deliveries from all European suppliers and manufacturers to Action’s distribution centres. We work closely with the purchasing department, commercial planning, transport, and the inbound teams of the DCs. There is never a dull moment at Action. Ready for something new? There are plenty of opportunities within the team to take on new responsibilities or develop further. Your future colleagues are looking forward to meeting you!

The many contacts with other supply planners and suppliers make your work challenging and varied. And the best part? Together with your colleagues, you put a smile on the face of our customers – by surprising them with more than they expect, and by making sustainable products affordable and accessible for everyone. From day one, you will have a dedicated manager and mentor to guide your development.

What you offer

You are the logistics graduate who wants to become part of Europe’s fastest-growing retailer. You are organised, flexible, and resilient. Thanks to your structured approach, you handle shifting priorities and time pressure with ease. Teamwork makes the dream work – which is why you enjoy collaborating closely with your colleagues. By keeping short lines with your stakeholders, you are a strong representative of the Supply Chain Planning team and stay in control of your availability and stock objectives.

Your background:

• HBO Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Supply Chain, Logistics, or a related field.
• Or MBO with relevant work experience in logistics or supply chain.
• Affinity with numbers and data.
• Good command of English (spoken and written).
• Proficient in Excel; experience with SAP or forecasting/replenishment systems is a plus.

Key competencies:

• Organised and structured – you manage shifting priorities and deadlines with ease.
• Analytical mindset – comfortable working with data and making decisions based on numbers.
• Team player – you collaborate well with colleagues across departments and enjoy working in an international environment.
• Communicative – you keep stakeholders informed and maintain short, clear lines of contact with suppliers and colleagues.
• Resilient and flexible – you can handle pressure and adapt quickly when priorities change.

What we offer

From our headquarters in the Netherlands, you will have an impact across the whole of Europe. Action's growth means you can always take steps to develop as a professional, whether that means a certain position, an interesting innovation project, or new skills. And you can do all that in a culture where we truly embrace our shared values: customer focus, teamwork, simplicity, discipline, cost-consciousness and respect.

• A competitive salary (based on a 38-hour working week)
• 24 days holiday with the option to buy five additional days (based on 38 hours per week)
• 15% staff discount on your purchases at Action
• Collective health insurance and travel allowance (Zwaagdijk is reachable from Amsterdam by car in just 30 minutes on uncongested roads)