Materials & Production Planning Manager

Job Description

Materials & Production Planning Manager

A leading manufacturing company is seeking a dynamic and proactive Materials & Production Planning Manager to join their team.

In this role, you will be responsible for planning and coordinating the production schedule across a diverse product portfolio, ensuring the timely availability of raw materials and packaging components to meet business and customer demands. Operating in a dynamic environment with a mix of internal and contract manufacturing, this role requires balancing short, medium, and long-term production plans.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a production plan aligned with forecasted demand and incoming customer orders, considering available capacity.
• Plan in-house production while liaising with third-party manufacturers and suppliers.
• Create and manage production schedules to ensure alignment with inventory targets, sales forecasts, and capacity constraints.
• Monitor inventory levels to optimise stock availability without overproduction.
• Provide reporting and data insights to support business decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with production and operations teams to ensure timely and cost-effective product delivery.
• Adjust production schedules in response to shifting demand and sales forecasts to maximise customer service levels.
• Work directly with contract customers to align production planning with their requirements.
• Participate in regular operational meetings to ensure efficient communication and execution of production plans.
• Ensure adequate stock levels for all SKUs to support seasonal and ongoing business needs.
• Manage the supply chain for raw materials, packaging, and consumables to maintain efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Identify and source new components and suppliers to enhance pricing, lead times, and quality.
• Oversee procurement processes in line with quality management systems and business requirements.
• Engage with internal teams, including new product development (NPD), to support project planning and execution.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Proven experience in production planning, materials management, or supply chain coordination within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of stock management processes and Bills of Materials (BOM).
• Ability to conduct cost scenario analysis and manage procurement activities.
• Experience with project management is advantageous.
• Proficiency in IT systems, particularly Excel, with the ability to analyse production data.

Skills & Attributes:

• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team while managing independent tasks.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive problem-solving approach and adaptability to change.
• Experience in FMCG or a similar sector is advantageous.
• Familiarity with ERP systems such as Business Central or VPS is beneficial but not essential.