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Operations and Production Planner
Our growing and innovative client, located on the Shropshire/Powys border, are looking for an experienced Demand & Production Planner to join their team and contribute to the future success of the business within a highly competitive industry.
The position will be responsible for driving monthly forecasting and S&OP processes, creating efficient production schedules, and ensuring supply chain alignment across departments. Adept at managing forecast accuracy, leading cross-functional meetings, and maintaining strong supplier relationships.
What you can expect:
* Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week
* Salary: negotiable and depending on experience, disclosed upon application
* 24 days annual leave plus bank/public holidays
* Full time & permanent
What you will be doing:
* Lead the monthly demand planning process in collaboration with Sales, Marketing, and Finance, incorporating historical trends, customer run rates, promotional activity, product lifecycle changes, delists and broader market insights
* Facilitate and lead cross-functional monthly demand review and Sales & Operations Planning meetings
* •Manage bi-weekly exceptions meetings to assess and respond to late demand changes or opportunities
* Generate detailed, efficient production plans which balance forecasted demand with available labour, machine capacity, materials, storage and energy consumption
* Monitor forecast accuracy and variance against actual sales, reporting KPIs and root cause analysis
* Develop weekly and monthly raw material forecasts and liaise with procurement to ensure timely supply chain alignment
* Work closely with colleagues to incorporate maintenance, cleaning and labour constraints into production schedules
* Maintain strong external supplier relationships, advising on delivery schedules and managing key planning inputs
* Deputise for the Procurement Manager during periods of absence
What we are looking for:
* Advanced proficiency in ERP/MRP systems and analytical tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI)
* Minimum 3 years in a demand forecasting or production planning role, ideally in FMCG or manufacturing
* Proven experience within sales and operations planning
* Solid knowledge of inventory management, scheduling, and manufacturing processes
* Experience dealing directly with customers
* Strong analytical and statistical skills with the ability to interpret complex data sets
* Strong interpersonal skills to influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
* Desirable:
* Experience working with UK food and drink retailers
* Experience of planning short shelf-life ambient products
* Experience with demand planning software
Recruitment Direct are working as an recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy, you must be able to prove your legal right to work in the UK to apply