At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and coordinate production schedules for delicious desserts to meet customer demand.
- Company: Join Davidson’s Puddings, a leader in dessert manufacturing with a focus on quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, a supportive team, and opportunities for growth in a fun environment.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a focus on continuous improvement and teamwork.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team that brings sweet treats to life while ensuring efficiency.
- Qualifications: Experience in food manufacturing planning and strong organisational skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Production Planner is responsible for planning and coordinating production schedules to ensure customer demand is met efficiently, safely, and in line with quality standards. The role balances customer orders, capacity, materials, and labour to deliver on-time, in-full performance while minimising waste and downtime.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain daily, weekly, and monthly production plans for dessert manufacturing lines.
- Convert customer demand forecasts and sales orders into achievable production schedules.
- Liaise closely with Production, Technical, Quality, Engineering, and Procurement teams to ensure plan adherence.
- Monitor material availability (ingredients, packaging) and highlight shortages or risks.
- Adjust plans in response to equipment downtime, labour availability, or changes in demand.
- Ensure production plans comply with food safety, hygiene, allergen, and quality requirements.
- Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as On Time In Full (OTIF), waste, and schedule adherence.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and optimise capacity.
- Maintain accurate planning data within ERP / MRP systems.
- Communicate plans clearly to production teams and management.
- Schedule NPD runs and sample within the weekly plan.
- Carry out ad hoc assignments or duties as required by the department.
Skills & Experience
- Experience in a planning or scheduling role within food manufacturing (dessert or bakery preferred).
- Strong understanding of production processes and capacity planning.
- Proficiency in ERP / MRP systems and Microsoft Excel.
- Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, short shelf-life manufacturing environment.
- Knowledge of food safety standards (BRC, HACCP, retailer standards).
- Supply chain or production planning qualification (e.g. APICS, CIPS).
- Experience working with chilled, frozen or ambient food products.
Production Planner in Portadown employer: CAFRE - College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise
Davidson’s Puddings is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, where employees are encouraged to contribute to continuous improvement initiatives. Located in a vibrant area, we offer competitive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and a commitment to maintaining high food safety and quality standards. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values efficiency and sustainability in dessert manufacturing.
Contact Details:
CAFRE - College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Planner in Portadown
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
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Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like CAFRE - College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Production Planner in Portadown
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to CAFRE - College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at CAFRE - College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with CAFRE - College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like CAFRE - College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
