At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and manage production schedules to keep operations running smoothly.
- Company: Join a purpose-driven team at AB Agri, recognised for gender equality.
- Benefits: Starting salary from £30,000, performance bonuses, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal growth and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in production planning and strong Excel skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 £ per year.
Location: Fradley, Staffordshire, UK
Contract & Hours: Permanent, 40-hour week, Monday to Friday
Package includes a starting salary from £30,000, a performance related bonus scheme, a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and reward your impact, and a matched pension contribution of up to 10%. Please note that we are not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role, so applicants must already have the right to work in the UK.
About The Role
We are looking for a Production Planner to join our team, responsible for building and managing detailed production schedules that keep our operations running efficiently and on time. You will play a key role in balancing demand, capacity and resources across multiple production lines, ensuring we meet customer needs while maximising throughput and minimising waste. This is a hands‑on, fast‑paced role where you will work closely with colleagues across operations, procurement and customer services, constantly reviewing and adapting plans to keep things moving smoothly.
What You Will Be Doing
- Developing and maintaining production schedules based on forecasts, stock requirements and customer orders
- Working closely with procurement, stock control and manufacturing teams to ensure materials and resources are available when needed
- Monitoring production progress and adjusting plans to meet deadlines and resolve any issues or bottlenecks
- Analysing capacity and workload to optimise output and ensure an even spread across production lines
- Supporting cross‑site planning, including balancing workloads and maintaining consistent lead times
- Recording and tracking production data, including output, delays and resource usage
- Communicating schedule changes, priorities and risks to key stakeholders
- Managing urgent orders and understanding their impact on capacity and delivery timelines
- Reporting overages and identifying actions to reduce waste
- Supporting stock takes and ensuring stock accuracy across the warehouse and systems
- Resolving system or journal errors to support accurate stock availability
What We Are Looking For
- Experience in production planning, scheduling or supply chain roles
- Good understanding of manufacturing processes and resource planning
- Strong Excel skills and confidence using planning or ERP/MRP systems
- Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
- Clear and confident communication, with the ability to work across teams
- Comfortable working with data and using it to make decisions
Additional Information
- 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
- Occasional weekend working required
- Bank holiday working required (excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day)
- Holiday must be coordinated with team members
- Travel between Rugeley and Fradley Park is essential
Where growth meets purpose. What sets us apart is how we delight our customers – and that’s because of great people like you. People with different life experiences who share common values. Together, we’re shaping a world where responsible nutrition is accessible to all. With a big goal comes equally big opportunities to make a career that truly feels like your own. As a team we’re collaborative, purpose‑driven and encourage trying new ideas. We also find ways to nourish your individual journey, so everyone can feel proud of the difference that they make in their own way.
We’re thrilled to share that AB Agri has been recognised as one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2025. This is a proud moment for us all. It highlights the real progress we’ve made to build a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and fair for everyone. Over the last 5 years we have rebuilt our talent management practices, from inclusive hiring, to transparent pay frameworks, flexible work, and the momentum of our Employee Network Groups. Our actions are embedding inclusion at the heart of how we operate and creating a culture where people can be themselves.
As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to ensuring our application and recruitment processes work for everyone so if you need any additional support (like alternative formats for your application, bringing a support dog to the offices, a sign language interpreter – or anything else) just let us know.
Production Planner employer: AB Agri
At AB Agri, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a collaborative and purpose-driven work culture that empowers our employees to make a meaningful impact. Located in Fradley, Staffordshire, our team enjoys a comprehensive benefits package, including a competitive salary, performance-related bonuses, and a matched pension contribution, all while working in an inclusive environment that values diversity and supports individual growth. Join us to be part of a company recognised for its commitment to gender equality and employee wellbeing, where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Planner
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at AB Agri, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Production Planner.
We think you need these skills to ace Production Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at AB Agri. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research AB Agri and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at AB Agri
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at AB Agri.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by AB Agri
Look into any unique supply chain challenges AB Agri might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!