Production Planner - FMCG Operations

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 420,000 - 650,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Flexible schedule

Career development

Collaborative virtual team

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa seeks a meticulous Production Planner to orchestrate demand, supply and production schedules across FMCG operations. This fully remote role collaborates with manufacturing sites, sales and logistics to ensure timely delivery, optimal inventory levels and seamless forecast-to-finished-product flow.

The ideal candidate holds a degree in SCM or related field, 4+ years of planning experience in FMCG, strong ERP/MRP and Excel skills, and excellent communication for remote

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in SCM/Operations/Business Administration or related field.
• 4+ years of production planning or supply chain planning experience, preferably FMCG.
• Strong understanding of inventory management, demand forecasting, and production scheduling.
• Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems and advanced Excel; planning software a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration in a remote team environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain accurate production schedules based on demand forecasts, sales orders, and inventory levels.
• Collaborate with production teams to understand capacities and constraints.
• Ensure timely availability of raw materials by coordinating with procurement.
• Monitor progress and adjust schedules to meet delivery deadlines.
• Analyze production data to identify bottlenecks and improvement opportunities.
• Manage finished goods inventory to optimize stock and minimize obsolescence.
• Communicate plans and updates to stakeholders across departments and locations.
• Prepare reports on production performance, schedule adherence, and inventory status.
• Support sales and marketing with product availability and lead times.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Remote collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in SCM/Operations/Business Administration

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Advanced Excel

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a rapidly growing Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company with a strong presence in the South African market. They are seeking a meticulous and highly organized Production Planner to join their operations team. This role is critical in ensuring the efficient and timely production of goods to meet market demand. As a fully remote position, the Production Planner will work collaboratively with manufacturing sites, sales, and logistics teams to develop optimal production schedules. This requires excellent communication skills, advanced planning capabilities, and a deep understanding of inventory management and production constraints. The successful candidate will be adept at using planning software and possess a strong analytical mindset to balance demand, supply, and operational efficiencies. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the success of a dynamic company from a remote work setting, ensuring seamless flow from forecast to finished product.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain accurate production schedules based on demand forecasts, sales orders, and inventory levels.
• Collaborate with production teams to understand manufacturing capacities and constraints.
• Ensure timely availability of raw materials and components by coordinating with the procurement team.
• Monitor production progress and make necessary adjustments to schedules to meet delivery deadlines.
• Analyze production data to identify trends, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Manage inventory levels of finished goods to optimize stock holding and minimize obsolescence.
• Communicate production plans and updates to relevant stakeholders across different departments and locations.
• Prepare reports on production performance, schedule adherence, and inventory status.
• Support sales and marketing teams with information regarding product availability and lead times.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in production planning or supply chain planning, preferably within the FMCG sector.
• Strong understanding of inventory management principles, demand forecasting, and production scheduling.
• Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems and advanced Excel skills. Experience with planning software is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a remote team environment.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes and their associated constraints.
• Must be legally eligible to work in South Africa
• and have a reliable internet connection.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of R .
• Fully remote work arrangement offering maximum flexibility.
• Opportunity to work with a growing and reputable FMCG company.
• Exposure to integrated supply chain operations.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• A supportive and collaborative virtual team environment.