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.