• Create, maintain, and communicate short, medium, and long-term production plans that balance customer demand, manufacturing capacity, labour availability, and inventory targets.
• Ensure production schedules are achievable, efficient, and aligned with operational constraints.
• Monitor stock availability and take proactive action to mitigate risks to customer supply.
• Review demand changes and adjust production plans accordingly to maintain optimum stock availability and service levels.
• Work closely with Manufacturing, Procurement, Technical, and Commercial teams to manage planning priorities and resolve issues.
• Support daily, weekly, and monthly planning review processes.
• Analyse production performance and recommend planning improvements to enhance efficiency and customer service.

Materials Planning

• Generate and manage purchase requirements for raw materials, ingredients, and packaging components.
• Ensure materials are available to support production plans while maintaining agreed inventory policies and stock cover targets.
• Manage supplier lead times, minimum order quantities, and ordering constraints.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with material shortages, supplier performance, or demand fluctuations.
• Monitor inventory levels and recommend actions to optimise stock holding, minimise waste, and improve working capital performance.
• Collaborate with Procurement and suppliers to support continuity of supply and resolve material-related issues.
• Maintain accurate planning parameters and material master data within planning systems.

Inventory Management

• Maintain inventory levels in line with agreed business targets and policies.
• Monitor stock cover, slow-moving inventory, obsolete stock, and excess inventory risks.
• Support stock accuracy initiatives and inventory optimisation activities.
• Analyse inventory performance and recommend corrective actions where required.
• Contribute to the effective management of working capital through efficient inventory control.

Stakeholder Management

• Build effective working relationships with Planning, Manufacturing, Procurement, Technical, Commercial, and Supply Chain teams.
• Communicate planning risks, constraints, and opportunities in a timely and professional manner.
• Escalate significant risks that may impact customer service, cost, quality, or operational performance.
• Provide clear planning information and recommendations to support business decision-making.

Continuous Improvement and Projects

• Support continuous improvement initiatives designed to enhance planning processes, systems, and performance.
• Contribute to business transformation programmes, including factory developments, capacity expansion projects, and ERP implementations.
• Participate in process reviews, testing activities, user acceptance testing, system development, and training where required.
• Promote best practices, standardisation, and planning excellence across the Planning function.
• Support the development and implementation of planning KPIs, reporting, and performance measures.

General Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and health and safety requirements.
• Maintain high standards of data accuracy and integrity within planning systems.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the level and responsibilities of the role.

Essential

• Experience in Production Planning, Materials Planning, or Supply Chain Planning.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt quickly to changing business requirements.
• Experience working with ERP and planning systems.
• Good understanding of inventory management principles.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work independently and make informed decisions within defined guidelines.
• Strong attention to detail.
• An organised and methodical working style.
• Resilience and the ability to work under pressure.
• A positive and professional attitude.

Desirable

• Experience within food manufacturing or FMCG environments.
• Knowledge of production scheduling and capacity planning principles.
• Experience of SAP, SAP IBP, or other advanced planning systems.
• Understanding of procurement and supplier management processes.
• Participation in ERP implementation or business transformation projects.
• A proactive and continuous improvement mindset.