Production Planning Lead

Cranswick PLC; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Canteen

Company events

Cycle to work scheme

Enhanced maternity leave

Enhanced paternity leave

Flexitime

Free parking

On-site parking

Sick pay

Job summary

Cranswick PLC in Leeds is seeking a Production Planning Lead to coordinate and optimize production processes, ensuring on-time delivery and cost-efficiency. You will lead a planning team, manage schedules, and leverage ERP/MRP with strong Excel reporting to support decisions.

Ideal candidates bring substantial planning experience in fast-paced manufacturing, hands-on leadership, and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• Substantial production planning experience, ideally in fast-paced manufacturing.
• Experience supervising, leading or managing a team while remaining hands-on.
• Strong Excel skills and the ability to turn large datasets into practical planning decisions.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP, production scheduling, capacity planning and forecasting.
• Strong communication, sound judgement and the ability to prioritise calmly under pressure.
• Food manufacturing experience, particularly chilled or short shelf-life products.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily and weekly production planning, aligning schedules with customer orders, forecasts, raw material availability and factory capacity.
• Manage and develop the Production Scheduler, Raw Materials Planner, Production Planner and Planning Assistant through clear objectives, coaching and performance reviews.
• Work with Operations, Purchasing, Commercial and Logistics to resolve shortages, capacity constraints and changing demand; communicate schedule changes and recovery plans promptly.
• Analyse demand, forecasts, stock and production data to support planning decisions and identify service risks early.
• Maintain accurate planning parameters, master data and schedules in ERP/MRP systems, supported by effective Excel analysis and reporting.
• Monitor schedule adherence, customer service, forecast accuracy, stock and waste, and drive improvements to planning processes and team resilience.
• Follow company health and safety, food safety, quality, ethical, environmental and energy standards, maintaining accurate records and traceability.

Skills

Production planning

Team leadership

Excel analytics

ERP/MRP knowledge

Forecasting

Communication

Education

Supply chain degree

Tools

Power BI

Job description

As a Production Planning Lead, you play a pivotal role in coordinating and optimizing our production processes to ensure efficiency, on-time delivery, and cost-effectiveness. Your expertise in production planning, and analytical skills is critical in driving the success of our operations.

Working hours

Monday to Friday: 08:00am –17:00pm

Responsibilities

• Lead daily and weekly production planning, aligning schedules with customer orders, forecasts, raw material availability and factory capacity.
• Manage and develop the Production Scheduler, Raw Materials Planner, Production Planner and Planning Assistant through clear objectives, coaching and performance reviews.
• Work with Operations, Purchasing, Commercial and Logistics to resolve shortages, capacity constraints and changing demand; communicate schedule changes and recovery plans promptly.
• Analyse demand, forecasts, stock and production data to support planning decisions and identify service risks early.
• Maintain accurate planning parameters, master data and schedules in ERP/MRP systems, supported by effective Excel analysis and reporting.
• Monitor schedule adherence, customer service, forecast accuracy, stock and waste, and drive improvements to planning processes and team resilience.
• Follow company health and safety, food safety, quality, ethical, environmental and energy standards, maintaining accurate records and traceability.
• Essential skills and experience:
• Substantial production planning experience, ideally in fast-paced manufacturing with short shelf-life products or complex production constraints.
• Experience supervising, leading or managing a team while remaining hands-on.
• Strong Excel skills and the ability to turn large datasets into practical planning decisions.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP, production scheduling, capacity planning, inventory control and demand forecasting.
• Strong communication, sound judgement and the ability to prioritise calmly under pressure.
• Desirable skills and experience
• Food manufacturing experience, particularly chilled or short shelf-life products.
• Power BI or similar reporting tools, and experience improving planning systems, data or processes.
• Exposure to sales and operations planning or execution, rough-cut capacity planning and KPI reporting.
• A relevant supply chain, operations or business qualification, or equivalent practical experience.

Job Types: Permanent, Full-time

• Canteen
• Company events
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Flexitime
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Ability to commute/relocate

• Leeds LS25 6PL: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience

• Production Scheduling: 2 years (preferred)
• Production Management: 1 year (required)