Head of Planning

JR United Kingdom; Attleborough; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the poultry sector is seeking a Head of Planning to drive operational excellence and meet customer fulfilment targets. The role entails leading a team, forecasting needs, and enhancing production efficiency while ensuring compliance with quality and welfare standards. Candidates should possess strong commercial acumen and experience in demand planning, along with leadership qualifications. Working hours are Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 17:00.

Qualifications

• Highly dynamic, able to restructure and reprioritize work.
• Self-aware and committed to personal development.
• Knowledge of poultry welfare and strong poultry network.

Responsibilities

• Implement systems to align production plans with customer orders.
• Build a high-performing team focused on continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to create mid-term forecasts.

Skills

Commercially astute

Excellent communication and influencing skills

Experience in demand planning

Self-motivated

Leadership and management

Education

Leadership and management qualifications

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

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Head of Planning Job Description

The Head of Planning is responsible for leading the planning function to ensure the availability and profile of chicken meet operational needs for 100% customer fulfilment while adhering to quality, environmental, and poultry welfare standards. The role works closely with Commercial and Operational areas to drive revenue and profit, supporting the company's growth plans.

Responsibilities include:

• Implementing systems and processes to align production plans with optimized bird numbers and weights to meet customer orders.
• Building collaborative relationships across the business to create a customer-focused culture.
• Building, managing, and mentoring a high-performing team with a focus on continuous improvement, succession planning, and talent development.
• Collaborating with Commercial, Agriculture, and Operations to create mid-term forecasts based on customer needs and operational capabilities.
• Analyzing data to maximize stock and operational efficiencies.

Essential & Desirable Skills, Competencies, and Qualities

• Commercially astute, articulate, technically strong, dynamic, and insightful, capable of restructuring and reprioritizing work as needed.
• Demonstrates integrity, sincerity, and role-models values and behaviors.
• Ability to challenge the status quo, analyze problems, spot trends, and offer creative solutions.
• Highly self-motivated, self-aware, committed to personal development.
• Energetic with a passion for excellence and innovation.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Experience in demand planning.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel and good overall computer skills.
• Leadership and management qualifications.
• Wide poultry network and knowledge of poultry welfare.

Key Responsibilities

• Timely delivery of weekly and daily production plans.
• Short and medium-term forecasting.
• Managing issues by collaborating with stakeholders such as Commercial, Operations, and Transport.
• Liaising with the Agriculture team on bird health issues affecting production and quality.
• Investigating complaints, ensuring compliance, and resolving non-conformances.
• Planning coordination with catching teams, transport schedules, and hygiene management.
• Completing paperwork for licensing and legal requirements.
• Maintaining accurate data records.
• Participating in daily and weekly meetings for effective communication.
• Communicating with external buyers for additional bird procurement.
• Managing budgets and seeking cost-effective solutions.
• Motivating the team to achieve business performance and development.
• Monitoring workplace risks and hazards to ensure safety.
• Acting as an emergency contact.

Hours of work are Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 17:00.