Your Company:
A highly rewarding opportunity has arisen for an experienced Planning Manager to join a fast-paced and growing organisation within the food manufacturing and FMCG sector.
This role is particularly well-suited to a hands-on, systems-minded planner who is excited by the opportunity to build and shape planning and scheduling capability from the ground up. The business is currently operating without a fully established integrated scheduling systems, and as such, this position will play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and embedding robust production planning and scheduling infrastructure, alongside ongoing operational planning responsibilities.
The successful candidate will not only oversee production planning and scheduling activity but will also take ownership of developing the tools, processes, and frameworks required to create a scalable, data-driven planning function. This is a high-impact role with significant autonomy and the opportunity to directly influence service levels, stock efficiency, and operational maturity.

Key Responsibilities:
While in this position your duties will include, but are not limited to:
*Designing, developing, and implementing end-to-end production planning and scheduling systems and processes
*Building structured scheduling frameworks to replace or enhance existing manual or fragmented approaches
*Managing, organising, and maintaining planning data using Excel and SAP ERP systems
*Leading and overseeing the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process, including capacity planning, demand forecasting, and risk identification
*Developing and continuously improving production schedules to ensure efficient use of resources and timely customer fulfilment
*Analysing sales and forecasting data to determine accurate stock holding requirements and reduce supply risk
*Monitoring and controlling waste levels by challenging operational performance and adherence to agreed plans
*Working closely with NPD and Process teams to support new product launches and ensure seamless integration into production planning systems
*Collaborating with supply chain, production, and commercial teams to ensure alignment across all functions
*Driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance planning accuracy, system capability, and operational efficiency
What You Will Need to Apply:
The successful candidate will have proven experience within a planning, scheduling, or supply chain role, ideally within FMCG, food manufacturing, or a similar fast-paced production environment.

In addition, the ideal candidate will demonstrate:
*Strong experience in production planning and scheduling, including exposure to designing or improving planning systems or processes
*Advanced analytical and numerical skills with strong Excel capability and SAP experience
*A track record of working in environments where planning systems or processes required development or transformation
*Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively across multiple departments
*Strong organisational skills with the ability to self-manage workload and priorities
*A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with a strong capability for building structure in ambiguous environments
*A strong understanding of food manufacturing processes, quality standards, and food safety requirements
*The ability to build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders
What You Will Receive in Return:
A competitive salary of up to £55,000 is available for the successful candidate, along with the opportunity to work in a progressive and growing business within the food industry.
This role offers exposure to senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams, providing a strong platform for career development within supply chain and operations management. You will be part of a business that values collaboration, continuous improvement, and high operational standards.
Overall, this is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Planning professional who is looking to take ownership of a key function, develop their career further, and play an important role in driving efficiency and performance within a growing FMCG environment.

Justin Heron - Talent Acquisition Director

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