Production Planner

Production Planner - Food & Beverage Manufacturing

I'm currently partnered with a leading manufacturer of food and beverage products to hire an experienced Production Planner. This role is responsible for leading the 4 week planning process, balancing inventory levels with production efficiency, ensuring accurate material availability, and supporting long-term operational planning.

If you have strong planning experience in a manufacturing environment, particularly food, beverage, or CPG, this opportunity offers the chance to influence production cycles, capacity planning, and overall supply chain effectiveness.

The Role

The Production Planner will drive medium-term planning activities, ensuring inventory, production schedules, and working capital goals are aligned and optimised.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Leading the 4+ week planning process using forecast tools and the DOS file.

• Balancing inventory levels while supporting production efficiency and working capital goals.

• Developing and optimising production wheels and run cycles to improve operational performance.

• Collaborating with Operations to maintain updated capacity plans and run rates.

• Acting as the plant's LTO liaison and supporting alignment across cross-functional teams.

• Serving as the primary supply chain contact for project managers, providing planning insights and support.

• Ensuring timely ordering of raw materials, ingredients, and packaging aligned to production requirements.

• Managing cycle count processes and ensuring inventory accuracy.

• Maintaining visibility of LTO demand through planning tools and capacity modelling.

• Managing material and finished goods trackers to support transparency and accuracy.

• Utilising ERP/MRP systems (D365) to ensure end-to-end supply chain visibility and planning effectiveness.

• Monitoring vendor performance and partnering with suppliers to resolve material availability issues.

• Communicating consistently with the supply chain team to ensure compliance with inventory, safety, and sanitation procedures.

• Performing additional assigned tasks as needed.

What We're Looking For

Education & Experience:

• 3+ years experience of planning, purchasing, expediting, transportation, or logistics experience in a manufacturing environment.

• Experience supervising or coordinating supply chain activities preferred.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of warehousing, inventory systems, order processing, and transportation concepts.

• Experience with ERP/MRP systems

• Proficient in Excel and planning software.

• Ability to identify materials flow issues and implement effective solutions.

• Strong communication skills across teams, vendors, and customers.

• High level of accuracy, organisation, and customer service focus.

• Ability to travel when required.

• Experience in food manufacturing or similar fast-paced environments is highly advantageous.

Key Performance Indicators

• Minimal customer shortages and complaints

• High on-time loading percentages

• Strong reliability and schedule adherence

• Minimal inventory loss or damage

• Balanced inventory levels and minimal outages

• Strong cost control and budget adherence

• Effective cross-functional teamwork

• High customer satisfaction

• Compliance with employee and facility safety standards

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys combining analytical planning, cross-functional coordination, and supply chain problem-solving. It offers strong visibility across operations and the chance to significantly influence production efficiency, inventory performance, and customer service levels.