Planning Manager

Compleat Food Group; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Compleat Food Group in Milton Keynes is seeking an experienced Planning Manager to lead the Planning team and ensure customer demand is met efficiently while driving improvements across planning, materials, inventory and supply chain performance.

Reporting to the General Manager, you will develop robust production plans, coordinate with Commercial, Supply Chain, Operations and Finance, manage labour and material availability, and push continuous improvement across planning systems and ways

Qualifications

• Previous experience within a Planning Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Planning Controller or similar role within food manufacturing.
• Proven experience leading and developing planning teams.
• Strong understanding of production planning, materials management, forecasting and inventory control.
• Experience working with ERP systems and advanced Excel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Knowledge of UK food manufacturing standards and best practice.
• Ability to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and drive positive change.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Production Planners and Material Controllers.
• Create robust production plans that balance customer demand, labour, capacity, inventory and material availability.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Supply Chain, Operations and Finance teams to forecast demand and future capacity requirements.
• Ensure timely availability of raw materials and packaging whilst controlling stock levels and waste.
• Manage labour planning to ensure resource aligns with customer demand and production requirements.
• Monitor and improve key planning KPIs including service levels, plan attainment, labour variance and stock disposals.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks to minimise disruption and maintain customer service.
• Coordinate seasonal and peak-period planning activities to ensure continuity of supply.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across planning systems, processes and ways of working.
• Supporting logistics and distribution activities to optimise service and minimise cost.
• Building strong cross-functional relationships to ensure business priorities are achieved.
• Promoting a culture of food safety, quality, compliance and operational excellence across site.

Skills

People management

Production planning

Forecasting

ERP systems

Excel

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

UK food standards

Continuous improvement

Decision making

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Job description

Are you an experienced planning professional looking for an opportunity to make a real impact within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment?

At The Compleat Food Group, we're looking for a talented Planning Manager to lead our Planning team at our Milton Keynes site. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a pivotal role in ensuring customer demand is met efficiently while driving continuous improvement across planning, materials, inventory and supply chain performance.

Reporting to the General Manager, you'll lead a team of Production Planners and Material Controllers, ensuring manufacturing plans are delivered in the most cost-effective way, while maintaining exceptional service levels and supporting the site's operational objectives.

What you'll be doing

• Leading and developing a team of Production Planners and Material Controllers.
• Creating robust production plans that balance customer demand, labour, capacity, inventory and material availability.
• Collaborating with Commercial, Supply Chain, Operations and Finance teams to accurately forecast demand and future capacity requirements.
• Ensuring the timely availability of raw materials and packaging whilst controlling stock levels and waste.
• Managing labour planning to ensure resource aligns with customer demand and production requirements.
• Monitoring and improving key planning KPIs including service levels, plan attainment, labour variance and stock disposals.
• Identifying and mitigating supply chain risks to minimise disruption and maintain customer service.
• Coordinating seasonal and peak-period planning activities to ensure continuity of supply.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives across planning systems, processes and ways of working.
• Supporting logistics and distribution activities to optimise service and minimise cost.
• Building strong cross-functional relationships to ensure business priorities are achieved.
• Promoting a culture of food safety, quality, compliance and operational excellence across site.

What we're looking for

• Previous experience within a Planning Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Planning Controller or similar role within food manufacturing.
• Proven experience leading and developing planning teams.
• Strong understanding of production planning, materials management, forecasting and inventory control.
• Experience working with ERP systems and advanced Excel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Knowledge of UK food manufacturing standards and best practice.
• Ability to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and drive positive change.
• Full UK driving licence.

Why Join Us?

About The Compleat Food Group

At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to create Food to Feel Good - great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat.

We’re home to some of the UK’s most exciting and loved food brands, includingWall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, andHarvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio, we’re a leading supplier of delicious own-label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added-value egg products, continental meats, dips and sauces and plant-based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice.

With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape the future of food for the better.

We are backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners.

At The Compleat Food Group, we believe our people are the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing, and career growth:

• Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
• 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to purchase extra
• Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
• Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand
• EV charging points - available at selected sites
• Private Medical Insurance (work level dependent)
• 24/7 access to GroceryAid for free financial, emotional, and practical support
• Physical Wellbeing Hub - free on-demand exercise classes, gym discounts
• Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes
• Online wellbeing support - from mindfulness to lifestyle resources
• Financial wellbeing tools - including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid
• Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS)
• Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role
• Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations
• Company Mentoring Scheme to add depth and really support your career journey
• Recognition through Club Compleat rewards

Community & Culture

• 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you
• Charity initiatives and fundraising events
• Team socials to connect and celebrate together
• Employee networks & support groups - including Women @ Compleat