Production Planner

The People Co; Ditton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A food and nutrition manufacturing leader is seeking a detail-oriented Production Planner to ensure on-time delivery for global brands. Responsibilities include scheduling orders, managing stock accuracy, and coordinating with various teams. Candidates should have experience in production planning, strong communication skills, and proficiency in Excel and MRP systems. This on-site role offers excellent benefits including personal development and a flexible pay scheme. Ideal for motivated individuals eager to grow their careers.

Benefits

Personal development and training opportunities

Health cash plan

Subsidised gym membership

Discretionary bonus

Flexible pay scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in production planning or scheduling, ideally in FMCG or food manufacturing.
• Highly motivated and keen to progress their career.
• Exceptional organisational skills with high attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Plan customer orders efficiently to maximise production capacity.
• Allocate raw materials for all scheduled work orders.
• Liaise with Purchasing and Quality teams to ensure timely material arrival.

Skills

Production planning

Strong communication skills

Organisational skills

Excel proficiency

Ability to perform under pressure

Education

Degree-level qualification in Supply Chain

Tools

MRP platforms

Planning tools (e.g., Orchestrate)

Job description

Our client, a market‑leading organisation within the food and nutrition manufacturing sector, is seeking an ambitious and highly organised Production Planner to support continued growth and operational excellence. This on‑site role offers a fantastic opportunity for a proactive individual to take ownership of planning and scheduling activities, ensuring products are manufactured and delivered on time for major global brands.

Job Role

Based in Aylesford, Kent, the Production Planner will be responsible for scheduling customer orders, maintaining stock control accuracy, and coordinating with departments across the business to achieve production targets. Reporting into the Planning function, you will manage schedule adherence, optimise resource use and support the implementation of planning and MRP systems.

Responsibilities

• Plan customer orders efficiently to maximise production capacity.
• Allocate raw materials for all scheduled work orders in line with customer delivery dates.
• Review MRP output against production performance daily and communicate any changes to delivery dates.
• Liaise with Purchasing and Quality teams to ensure raw materials arrive and are sampled within required timeframes.
• Plan daily production/packing programmes to meet internal KPIs.
• Oversee allocation queries and authorise batch changes for production and warehouse teams.
• Support and participate in improvement projects.
• Work closely with production leadership to minimise schedule changes and maximise productivity.
• Investigate system errors/issues and implement effective resolutions.
• Provide recommendations on raw material transfers from external warehouses to meet production deadlines.
• Provide team cover during holidays and absences.
• Support stock take activity and cycle counting processes.

Personal Profile

• Experience in production planning or scheduling, ideally in FMCG or food manufacturing.
• Highly motivated and keen to progress their career.
• Strong communicator able to perform under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Exceptional organisational skills with high attention to detail.
• Confident user of Excel, MRP platforms, and planning tools (e.g., Orchestrate).
• Degree‑level qualification, ideally within a Supply Chain related discipline.

Benefits

• Personal development and training opportunities
• Health cash plan
• Subsidised gym membership
• Discretionary bonus
• Flexible pay scheme

Ref Code: CV(phone number removed)

How to apply

To apply, please send your comprehensive CV in strict confidence, quoting the reference above and for the attention of Jon Hemming‑Nash. Please include current salary details within your application. Due to high response levels, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not received a response within one week, regrettably your application has not been successful on this occasion.