Production Planner – Fast-Paced FMCG

Imperial Recruitment Group; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Pension

Life insurance (3x salary)

Health cash plan

Employee Assistance Programme

Career progression

Job summary

Imperial Recruitment is seeking an experienced Planner in Sunderland to join a fast-paced FMCG manufacturing team. You will develop and maintain production schedules, balance demand with capacity, and collaborate with Operations, Procurement, Warehousing and Commercial to optimise delivery performance and inventory.

You will coordinate forecasts, manage material availability, and drive improvements in planning processes while ensuring OTIF deliveries and optimal use of resources.

Qualifications

• Experience in production planning or manufacturing scheduling.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience using ERP/MRP planning systems.
• Excellent organization and time management in a fast-paced environment.
• FMCG or high-volume manufacturing experience preferred.
• Understanding of make-to-stock and make-to-order environments.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain daily and weekly production schedules based on demand forecasts, inventory levels and capacity.
• Monitor production progress and adjust schedules to changes in demand or delays.
• Coordinate production across lines to maximise utilisation and minimise changeovers.
• Review forecasts and orders to update schedules as demand changes.
• Ensure materials and packaging are available to meet production requirements.
• Monitor inventories of finished goods, raw materials and WIP to balance availability and working capital.
• Identify risks of stock shortages, overstock or obsolete inventory.
• Liaise with manufacturing to confirm capacity and resolve planning issues.
• Work with Operations to reduce downtime and improve efficiency.
• Maintain planning master data (BOMs, lead times, production rates).
• Generate and analyse planning reports to support decisions.
• Identify opportunities to improve planning processes and forecasting accuracy.

Skills

Production planning

Analytical thinking

Manufacturing processes

ERP/MRP

Time management

Multitasking

Communication

FMCG experience

MTS/MTO knowledge

Job description

Imperial Recruitment is seeking an experienced Planner in Sunderland to join a fast-paced FMCG manufacturing team. You will develop and maintain production schedules, balance demand with capacity, and collaborate with Operations, Procurement, Warehousing and Commercial to optimise delivery performance and inventory.

You will coordinate forecasts, manage material availability, and drive improvements in planning processes while ensuring OTIF deliveries and optimal use of resources.