Planning Manager

PE Global; Dartford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A pharmaceutical manufacturing company in Dartford is seeking a Planning Manager for a 9-month contract. The role involves managing site planning processes, inventory management, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Candidates should have experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably within pharmaceuticals, and possess strong leadership and analytical skills. This role offers a rate of £25.63 per hour, and candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing planning processes within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience within a pharmaceutical manufacturing or regulated FMCG environment is advantageous.
• Strong understanding of cGMP and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage the site planning processes for customer orders.
• Lead site inventory management activities.
• Establish and maintain KPIs for planning and inventory processes.

Skills

Planning processes management

Inventory management

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Analytical skills

Job description

PE Global is recruiting a Planning Manager for our pharmaceutical manufacturing client based in Dartford, Kent. The role is an initial 9‑month contract and the rate is £25.63 p/hour.

Responsibilities:

• Own and manage the site planning processes to ensure consistent and timely delivery of customer orders.
• Manage the Order Book, Fixed Finite Schedule, Master Production Schedule (0–13 weeks), Sales & Operations Planning (3–24 months), batch tracking, and order fulfilment processes.
• Lead site inventory management activities, ensuring appropriate stock levels and effective management of short‑dated, expired, aged, or slow‑moving inventory.
• Track and manage customer‑owned inventory, ensuring rejected or expired stock is removed in a timely manner.
• Develop and implement improvements to planning, scheduling, and order fulfilment processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Establish and maintain KPIs to monitor the effectiveness of planning and inventory processes.
• Manage key site supplier relationships in conjunction with central procurement.
• Line manage the customer services function, ensuring effective customer communication and engagement.
• Ensure strong compliance with GMP, safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Act as a member of the site leadership team, promoting collaboration, continuous improvement, and best practice.

Requirements:

• Proven experience managing planning processes within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience within a pharmaceutical manufacturing or regulated FMCG environment is highly advantageous.
• Strong understanding of cGMP, regulatory, and compliance requirements.
• Experience in inventory management, production scheduling, and order fulfilment.
• Experience working in a make‑to‑order manufacturing environment is desirable.
• Demonstrated leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate at all levels.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to operate within a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience managing or supporting a small team is beneficial.

Please note, PE Global is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role. Candidates must have the full right to live and work within the UK for the duration of the contract.