Production Planner

Job Purpose:

To ensure that the Packhall and Warehouse materials are maintained at appropriate levels in liaison with production management and key stakeholders.

Main Responsibilities:

Production Planning and Master Scheduling: Develop, maintain and optimize daily and weekly production schedules for the Packhall facility. Utilize sales forecasts, confirmed orders and rolling averages to ensure optimal stock levels that meet on-time delivery targets, while considering plant constraints related to safety, quality and maintenance activities.

Material Planning & Ordering: Manage material requirements planning (MRP) to ensure timely availability of raw materials. Collaborate closely with suppliers to confirm orders, monitor lead times and mitigate potential supply disruptions.

Product Specification and MRP Data Management: Maintain accurate planning parameters in the MRP system, including safety stock levels and holding times, to support efficient and reliable production scheduling.

Cross-functional Coordination: Act as a key liaison between production, maintenance, logistics, warehouse, procurement and commercial teams, to ensure alignment on production priorities and resource allocation.

Production Tracking and Adjustment: Monitor daily production progress in QAD/MFG Pro (or equivalent ERP system), identifying and addressing any delays, material shortages, or changes in customer demand to maintain schedule adherence.

Forecast management: Conduct regular reviews of sales forecasts with Account Managers to improve forecast accuracy and ensure production plans align with market demand.

Performance Reporting and Analysis: Prepare and present Key Performance Indicator (KPI) reports, including service levels, forecast accuracy, production performance and stock holding metrics, providing insights and recommendations for continuous improvement.

Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement process improvements in planning, scheduling and materials management, to enhance efficiency, reduce waste and support business objectives.

Skills & Abilities:

Analytical Thinking: Strong ability to interpret and analyze production and inventory data to optimize schedules, manage stock levels and make informed decisions in response to changing demand patterns.

Problem Solving: Demonstrated capability to respond quickly and effectively to operational issues, such as equipment breakdowns or material shortages, minimizing disruption to production.

Working to Deadlines: Proven ability to perform under pressure and meet tight deadlines, ensuring timely completion of manufacturing resource planning and material ordering activities to support seamless operations.

Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across internal departments and maintain productive relationships with external suppliers.

Organisation: Exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to a fast-paced, dynamic manufacturing environment.

Good IT system knowledge and familiar with all MS Office packages. Advantage if previously worked with QAD.

Education & Experience:

Educated to degree level in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience demonstrating the ability to perform at this level.

Proven experience in production planning, scheduling, or procurement within a manufacturing or packaging environment, with a solid understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes.

Strong understanding of production and packaging operations, including workflow, capacity planning, and material management principles.