Production Planner

Morepeople 01780; Monkston; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Morepeople 01780 is recruiting for a Production Planner on a 12‑month FTC to cover maternity in a leading food manufacturing business. You will develop and maintain production schedules, manage inventory, and collaborate with Sales, Production, NPD, Engineering and Warehouse to align demand with capacity.

You will join a collaborative, values‑driven team where your input is visible and valued. The role is Monday–Friday with shifts 06:00–14:00 or 12:00–20:00, based in Monkston, Milton Keynes.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Production Planner, ideally in FMCG or chilled foods.
• Strong analytical mindset with good problem-solving skills.
• Experience with production planning software and ERP systems.
• Working knowledge of lean manufacturing principles.
• Ability to build relationships across the supply chain.
• Strong organisational skills with a process-driven approach.
• Flexible and resilient in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain production schedules based on demand forecasts and inventory levels.
• Manage raw materials, packaging and finished goods to prevent stockouts or overstocks.
• Collaborate with Sales, Production, NPD, Engineering and Warehouse to support demand forecasting.
• Support capacity planning and resource allocation to keep production running efficiently.
• Monitor production progress and flag risks to OTIF, implementing corrective actions.
• Liaise with suppliers to mitigate supply interruptions.
• Cover Customer Service tasks and absences as needed.
• Contribute to Continuous Improvement and lean initiatives.
• Assist in designing and rolling out a new ERP/WMS system in a cross-functional team.

Skills

Production planning

ERP systems

Lean manufacturing

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Tools

ERP software

Production planning software

Job description

I am recruiting on behalf of an industry leader in food manufacturing. I am looking for a Production Planner for a 12-month FTC to cover a maternity period. Joining a collaborative and genuinely lovely team where you have the capability to have real influence within the business.

What you'll be doing:

• Developing and maintaining production schedules based on demand forecasts, actual demand, and inventory levels
• Managing raw material, packaging, and finished goods inventory to prevent stockouts and overstocks
• Working closely with Sales, Production, NPD, Engineering and Warehouse to support accurate demand forecasting
• Supporting capacity planning and resource allocation to keep production running efficiently
• Monitoring production progress, flagging risks to OTIF, and implementing corrective action
• Liaising with suppliers to stay ahead of any potential supply interruptions
• Supporting Customer Service tasks and covering absences/holidays where needed
• Getting involved in Continuous Improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives
• Supporting the design and rollout of a new ERP/WMS system as part of a cross-functional team

What you'll bring:

• Solid experience as a Production Planner, ideally within FMCG or chilled food
• A strong analytical mindset with good problem solving skills
• Experience with production planning software and ERP systems
• Working knowledge of lean manufacturing principles
• Confidence building relationships across the supply chain
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and a process-driven approach
• The flexibility and resilience to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Why join?

This is a genuine opportunity to make your mark in a value led business that takes sustainability and its people seriously. Not just as a policy, but as part of how it operates day to day. You'll be joining a small, close knit team where your input is visible and valued.

This is a Monday to Friday role with shift patterns being between 06:00 till 14:00 or 12:00 till 20:00.