Planning Manager

Danish Crown Group; Rochdale; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Danish Crown UK is seeking a Planning Manager to oversee the planning function, lead a dedicated team and drive a system-led approach to align manufacturing capacity with customer demand.

You will develop short- and long-term production plans using ERP, MOM and SAP APO/IBP, while managing procurement and inventory strategy for feedstocks and dry goods to absorb forecast variability and reduce waste.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a planning function in a manufacturing setting.
• Strong ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive continuous improvement.
• Hands-on expertise with ERP, MOM and advanced planning systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead, cross-train and develop the planning team to ensure operational resilience and flexible cover across multiple responsibilities.
• Develop and adjust short-term execution plans and long-term production schedules using ERP, MOM and advanced systems like SAP APO and SAP IBP.
• Manage the procurement and inventory strategy for feedstocks and dry goods, maintaining optimal stock levels that absorb short-term forecast fluctuations without compromising shelf life.
• Review and constructively challenge demand forecasts from commercial teams, using historical operational data to continuously improve forecasting accuracy.
• Collaborate closely with operations, commercial, supply chain and finance teams to balance raw material supply, labour availability and manufacturing capacity to maximise yield utilisation and reduce waste.

Skills

Planning management

Cross-functional collaboration

Forecasting accuracy

SAP APO

SAP IBP

Tools

SAP APO

SAP IBP

ERP/MOM

Job description

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Lead a resilient planning function to ensure efficient production scheduling, optimise the use of raw materials and guarantee a reliable supply to our customers.

What you will be doing

As the Planning Manager, you will oversee the planning function, lead a dedicated team and drive a system-led approach to align manufacturing capacity with customer demand.

• Lead, cross-train and develop the planning team to ensure operational resilience and flexible cover across multiple responsibilities.
• Develop and adjust short-term execution plans and long-term production schedules using ERP, MOM and advanced systems like SAP APO and SAP IBP.
• Manage the procurement and inventory strategy for feedstocks and dry goods, maintaining optimal stock levels that absorb short-term forecast fluctuations without compromising shelf life.
• Review and constructively challenge demand forecasts from commercial teams, using historical operational data to continuously improve forecasting accuracy.
• Collaborate closely with operations, commercial, supply chain and finance teams to balance raw material supply, labour availability and manufacturing capacity to maximise yield utilisation and reduce waste.

What you will bring

We are looking for an experienced, structured, analytical professional who thrives in a fast-paced operational environment. You will need a strong background in retail planning, combined with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive continuous improvement.

• Experience: You have proven experience in managing a retail planning team within a manufacturing environment, ideally within proteins or shorter shelf-life products, along with a track record of successfully leading and developing teams.
• Soft skills: You are a highly analytical, detail-orientated problem solver who can challenge operational assumptions constructively, build relationships across departments and champion a culture of reliability, transparency and operational efficiency.
• Hard skills: You possess a strong understanding of inventory management, production scheduling and supply planning, as well as hands‑on expertise with ERP, MOM and advanced planning systems.

Stepping into this role means taking true ownership of a critical function within our operations, giving you the autonomy to shape our digital planning environment and drive meaningful continuous improvement. You will be 100% site-based, ensuring full oversight of the team and the production. You will have the freedom to challenge system limitations, implement forward‑thinking stock policies and make strategic decisions that directly impact our operational efficiency, working capital and waste reduction.

Beyond the immediate responsibilities, we offer a supportive and fast‑paced environment where your career can flourish alongside the business. You will be empowered to lead and develop a cross‑functional team, fostering a culture of shared learning and resilience, while building a long‑term career in a company that values innovation, structured decision‑making and sustainable growth.

About us

Danish Crown UK is a business built on trust, teamwork and ambition. We exist to deliver food that people believe in, and we know that takes strong leadership and collaborative cultures.

Our leadership principles guide us. We act for the good of the whole organisation. We hire brilliant people and help them grow. We are ambitious, curious and open to new ideas. We build trust by accepting mistakes as part of development. We believe real leadership is earned through example, not title.

Whoever joins us will help create a workplace where people feel safe to speak up, share ideas, challenge old ways of working and stretch themselves to achieve more. If that sounds like the environment where you thrive, we would love to hear from you.