Head of Planning

Workforce Staffing Ltd; Dartington; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A national foodservice enterprise seeks a Head of Planning to lead its planning function and enhance performance across multi-site operations. In this senior role, you will drive strategic initiatives, collaborate with cross-functional teams, manage supplier performance, and lead a high-performing team. Ideal candidates will have experience in demand or supply planning in a large setting, advanced analytical skills, and the ability to influence at senior levels. Competitive salary and supportive culture are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Supportive culture

Qualifications

• Experience leading a demand or supply planning function in a large, multi-site or FMCG environment.
• Experience managing and developing people and nurturing a high-performing team.
• Experience in food or temperature-controlled operations is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver the end to end planning strategy, ensuring strong availability.
• Lead and develop a high-performing planning team, embedding a culture of collaboration.
• Drive forecasting accuracy through analysis of historic data and market trends.

Skills

Strategic planning leadership

Strong analytical skills

Advanced Excel

Collaboration across functions

Proactive mindset

Tools

ERP systems

Data tools

Job description

Head of Planning

Full time, Permanent | Salary £55,000.00 - £70,000 per annum DOE

Location: Cheltenham based, multi-site operation

Are you a strategic planning leader who thrives in a fast paced, multi-site environment? Do you want to shape and deliver a planning function that drives performance, efficiency and outstanding service? This is an exciting senior role with genuine influence, impact and visibility. We are partnering with a national foodservice business that is investing heavily in its planning strategy. They are now seeking a Head of Planning to lead the function, elevate performance and build a best‑in‑class demand and supply planning capability.

Why this role stands out

This is a high‑profile opportunity, and you will have strategic ownership, the autonomy to drive change, and the support of a strong leadership team. You will lead and develop a growing team, collaborate with commercial, operations, finance and IT, and ensure availability, efficiency and customer satisfaction across a national network.

In this influential leadership position, you will :

• Own and deliver the end to end planning strategy, ensuring strong availability, optimised stock levels and excellent service.
• Lead, coach and develop a high‑performing planning team, embedding a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Drive forecasting accuracy through analysis of historic data, market trends and customer insights.
• Implement and enhance planning systems, processes and reporting, including ERP and data tools.
• Partner with operations and senior leadership to improve efficiency, reduce cost and support commercial growth.
• Manage supplier performance, site demand and capacity to ensure continuity and mitigate risks such as shortages or delays.
• Shape and deliver S&OP processes, ensuring alignment across functions.

To succeed, you will need :

• Experience leading a demand or supply planning function in a large, multi‑site or FMCG environment.
• Strong analytical skills, advanced Excel and competence with planning or ERP systems.
• The confidence to influence at senior level and collaborate across multiple business areas.
• A proactive mindset with the ability to handle complex challenges at pace.
• Experience managing and developing people, and the desire to nurture a high‑performing team.
• Experience in food or temperature‑controlled operations is advantageous but not essential.

What’s in it for you

• A senior leadership role with real strategic ownership.
• The chance to shape a high‑impact function during a period of growth.
• A supportive culture where collaboration, development and innovation are valued.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

If you are ready to lead a planning function where your ideas, expertise and leadership will truly shape the future, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today or contact me in confidence to discuss the role further.

• Apply now, and a member of the Workforce team will be in touch to schedule your assessment and get you on the road!
• Or simply call or email on :

P : (phone number removed) M : (phone number removed)

E : (url removed)

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