Planning Manager

Focus Management Consultants Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected food manufacturing business in England seeks a Planning Manager to lead production and supply chain operations. This role involves optimizing scheduling across multiple factory sites, engaging with suppliers, and ensuring material availability. The ideal candidate has strong experience in production planning and supply chain management within the food sector. Competitive compensation and career progression opportunities are offered.

Benefits

Career progression within a growing business

Collaboration with cross-functional teams

Exposure to advanced planning systems

Qualifications

• Proven experience in production planning or supply chain management.
• Strong knowledge of inventory management systems.
• Analytical problem-solving skills and a data-driven mindset.

Responsibilities

• Ensure smooth and efficient production scheduling across sites.
• Act as a link between production, supply chain, and suppliers.
• Coordinate across factory locations to maximise efficiency.

Skills

Production planning

Supply chain management

Inventory management

Data-driven decision making

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Tools

Inventory management systems

Planning software

Job description

Overview

Planning Manager — £40,000 - £45,000 + Package | Merseyside

Step into a leadership role with a respected food manufacturing business renowned for its heritage, quality and innovation. As demand for high-quality food products continues to grow we are seeking a Planning Manager to optimise production planning and supply chain operations across multiple factory locations. This is a great opportunity to make a big impact on the day to day way these businesses are run and to be part of the team as they grow, invest and develop their portfolio.

This role is suitable for ambitious professionals ready to take the next step. You may currently be a Production Planner, Supply Chain Planner, Materials Manager or Senior Planner in food manufacturing who is looking to move into a broader, leadership-focused role. If you’ve gained experience in scheduling, raw material management or supply chain coordination and are eager to progress into a Planning Manager position, this could be the perfect career move.

Responsibilities

• Ensure smooth, efficient and reliable production scheduling across sites.
• Act as a central link between production, supply chain and suppliers; oversee development and maintenance of production schedules; align resources and capacity to meet customer demand.
• Ensure raw materials, both food and non-food, are consistently available through accurate forecasting, proactive ordering and robust supplier management.
• Coordinate across multiple factory locations to maximise efficiency, reduce downtime and quickly resolve challenges such as shortages, delivery delays or supply chain disruptions.
• Use data and forecasting tools to identify opportunities for continuous improvement; optimise processes and drive efficiencies while ensuring planning adheres to food safety standards and industry regulations.

Requirements

• Proven experience in production planning or supply chain management within food manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of inventory management systems and planning software.
• Analytical problem-solving skills and a data-driven mindset.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Adaptability to manage competing priorities in a high-output environment.
• Depending on experience ideally a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.

What’s on Offer

• Exposure to multi-site food production operations and advanced planning systems.
• Career progression within a growing business.
• A collaborative environment where your expertise directly supports business growth and future opportunities.

The role is commutable from Merseyside and surrounding area’s.

If you’re ready to shape production excellence in the food manufacturing sector and ready to be part of the journey with this ambitious business then apply today with your CV or contact myself (Neal) directly to discuss further. If you would like to add a note to your application with why the role feels like a fit that would be a helpful but not essential.

Please note that visa sponsorship is unavailable for this position and that the employer is not open to candidates who are on Visa’s.

Ref NAH58396