Production Planner/Buyer

Futures Recruitment Services Ltd; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in the United Kingdom is looking for a Production Planner to oversee production scheduling, buying, and process improvement. The ideal candidate will manage resources, evaluate materials, and improve planning processes, requiring strong analytical and communication skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and scheduling software is essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of production processes and quality control.
• Experience with planning and scheduling processes.
• Ability to manage orders with suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, and coordinate production.
• Evaluate raw materials and manage orders with suppliers.
• Improve planning and scheduling processes.

Skills

Knowledge of production processes

Strong math and analytical skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Time-management skills

Ability to meet deadlines

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Tools

Material requirements planning software

Job description

This role reports to the Production Manager and involves responsibilities across production planning, buying, and process improvement.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

1. Production Planning:

• Plan, schedule, and coordinate production of the company's products.
• Provide lead times and order confirmation dates to the Sales team.
• Manage limited space and skill resources to ensure customer delivery dates are met efficiently.
• Schedule shifts and workers to ensure required skill coverage.
• Report on production status and issues to the Production Manager.
• Collaborate with the Production Manager to handle disruptions and productivity problems.
• Ensure the production plan is adhered to and targets are achieved.
• Support the team actively in all aspects of the process.

Production Buyer:

• Evaluate raw materials and equipment to ensure readiness for production.
• Manage materials for special projects or out-of-normal-volume builds to prevent delays.
• Place and manage orders with suppliers.
• Assist procurement to align planning and inventory management with production trends.

Process Improvement:

• Take ownership of improving planning and scheduling processes.
• Implement strategies to reduce stock holding and variation through better planning.

Required and Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of production processes and quality control.
• Strong math and analytical skills.
• Technical proficiency in material requirements planning and scheduling software.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with all levels of staff.
• Organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.