Production Planner

DESIGNER PARFUMS; Watford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic global fragrance company in Watford is seeking a skilled Production Planner responsible for end-to-end production and materials planning. The role demands timely execution of production plans and collaborating across departments for effective supply chain management. Proficiency with ERP systems like SAP, experience in production planning, and strong analytical skills are essential. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to a growing family-owned business with ambitions in the global market.

Qualifications

• Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP or Netstock.
• Experience with production planning, inventory management, and quality control activities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and eliminate production bottlenecks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute detailed production plans aligned with demand forecasts.
• Coordinate production schedules with manufacturers and contract fillers.
• Monitor inventory health and drive initiatives to optimise stock holding.
• Create and maintain Purchase Orders (POs) and Production Orders (PVs) in SAP.
• Act as a key liaison across various departments to ensure compliance.

Skills

Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP or Netstock

Experience with production planning

Excellent with MS Excel for data visualisation

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Strong organisational skills

Education

Degree beneficial but not essential

Tools

SAP

Netstock

MS Excel

Job description

PRODUCTION PLANNER

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Designer Parfums is a fast-growing, dynamic global fragrance company in the perfume & cosmetics industry, with a UK base in London and international ambition, with active business in around 70 markets.

We are a small family-owned business, and we are proud to create, develop, and distribute brands from a fantastic portfolio of heritage classics to celebrity trend-led fragrances. We are brand owners and licensees for GHOST, JENNIFER LOPEZ, HAWAIIAN TROPIC, CERRUTI, PLAYBOY & JEAN LOUIS SCHERRER, and proud to be distributors for ARIANA GRANDE, GUY LAROCHE, PILOMA PICASSO, AIGNER & GANT.

JOB PURPOSE

Designer Parfums (DP) is seeking a highly skilled Production Planner to take full ownership of end-to-end production and materials planning for an assigned portfolio of brands. This role is responsible for ensuring the timely, cost-effective, and quality-driven execution of production plans—ensuring all finished goods, components, and materials are available in line with commercial requirements, customer demand, and launch calendars.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Production & Material Planning

• Develop, execute, and maintain detailed production plans aligned with demand forecasts, commercial priorities, and inventory strategies.
• Coordinate production schedules with manufacturers and contract fillers, ensuring adherence to agreed timelines and service levels.
• Create and launch new SKUs and Bills of Materials (BOMs) to support innovation projects and new product launches—ensuring complete master data accuracy.
• Manage production planning for additional allocated brands as required.

Supplier & Manufacturing Partner Management

• Own the operational relationship with key suppliers, contract manufacturers, and fillers—driving performance, communication, and issue resolution.
• Ensure all partners meet production commitments, quality specifications, and on-time delivery targets for both components and finished goods.
• Conduct regular stock reconciliations with contract fillers and drive corrective actions for discrepancies.

Inventory, Availability & Risk Management

• Monitor inventory health and drive initiatives to optimise stock holding, reduce obsolescence, and support financial and operational targets.
• Proactively identify and report potential out-of-stock (OOS) risks, proposing mitigation strategies to protect customer service levels.
• Maintain responsibility for stock availability, intake management, and sales forecast support—providing regular updates and insights to the Brand and Commercial teams.

Systems, Data & Process Ownership

• Create and maintain Purchase Orders (POs) and Production Orders (PVs) in SAP, ensuring master data and transactional accuracy.
• Lead Netstock implementation for your brand and maintain full ownership of stock management within Netstock, including parameter setup, replenishment policies, exception management, and reporting.
• Champion data integrity across SAP and Netstock to ensure reliable planning outputs.
• Process and approve supplier invoices in accordance with finance controls.
• Contribute to the development of supply chain digital tools and enhancements, ensuring systems align with operational best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives aimed at efficiency, process optimisation, and enhanced planning visibility.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as a key liaison across Marketing, NPD, Demand Planning, Logistics, Procurement, QC, Master Data, Customer Service, Finance, and the China Supply Team.
• Provide operational support for launches, supply reviews, and business planning cycles.
• Ensure technical, regulatory, and quality standards are consistently upheld across suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Operational KPIs:

• Deliver and continuously improve:
• OTIF (On-Time In-Full)
• Inventory on hand
• Production Plan Adherence
• Customer Service Level
• Cost Savings & Efficiency Gains
• Quality & Compliance Metrics

REQUIREMENTS

• Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP or Netstock
• Experience with production planning, inventory management, and quality control activities.
• Excellent with MS Excel for data visualisation, analysis, and reports
• Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP): Experience with MRP and MPS systems is often required.
• Knowledge of the Manufacturing processes and principles
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and eliminate production bottlenecks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to liaise with different departments, suppliers, and manufacturers
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Ability to use data and forecasting to make informed decisions.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Degree beneficial but not essential