At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and manage production schedules to ensure smooth manufacturing operations.
- Company: Join a dynamic team in a leading supply chain company in Sunderland.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on continuous improvement and efficiency.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising production and ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Experience in production planning and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
The Planner is responsible for developing, maintaining, and communicating production schedules to ensure efficient manufacturing operations and on-time delivery to customers. The role coordinates demand forecasts, inventory levels, and manufacturing capacity to create achievable production plans while minimizing downtime, shortages, and excess inventory. The Planner works closely with Operations, Procurement, Warehousing, and Commercial teams to ensure alignment between customer demand and production capability.
Responsibilities
- Create and maintain daily and weekly production schedules based on demand forecasts, inventory levels, and manufacturing capacity.
- Ensure production plans support OTIF customer deliveries.
- Monitor production progress and adjust schedules to manage changes in demand, delays, or operational issues.
- Maintain a stable production plan while balancing customer requirements and operational efficiency.
- Coordinate production across manufacturing lines to maximize utilisation and minimise changeovers.
- Review sales forecasts and customer orders to ensure alignment with production planning.
- Work with the commercial team to monitor changes in demand and update schedules accordingly.
- Ensure raw materials and packaging materials are available in line with production requirements.
- Collaborate with procurement and stock control teams to avoid shortages or excess inventory.
- Monitor inventory levels for finished goods, raw materials, and work-in-progress.
- Support the development and maintenance of inventory policies that balance availability and working capital.
- Identify risks of stock shortages, overstock, or obsolete inventory.
- Liaise with manufacturing teams to confirm production capacity and operational constraints.
- Participate in planning and operational meetings to review schedules and resolve issues.
- Work with operations to reduce downtime, changeover time, and inefficiencies.
- Maintain planning master data such as: Bills of Materials (BOMs), lead times, production rates, planning parameters.
- Ensure planning systems and ERP data are accurate and up to date.
- Generate and analyse planning reports to support decision making.
- Identify opportunities to improve planning processes, efficiency, and forecasting accuracy.
- Support supply chain and operational improvement initiatives.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Experience in production planning, supply chain planning, or manufacturing scheduling.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
- Good knowledge of manufacturing processes.
- Experience using ERP or planning systems.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Experience in FMCG or high-volume manufacturing environments.
- Knowledge of MRP / ERP planning systems.
- Understanding of make-to-stock and make-to-order production environments.
Values
- Ensures production schedules prioritise customer service and delivery performance while balancing operational efficiency – Customer First.
- Continuously seeks improvements in planning accuracy, operational efficiency, and data integrity to support business performance – Be the Best.
- Collaborates closely with operations, procurement, and commercial teams to maintain alignment between demand, supply, and production capability – Stronger Together.
- Takes ownership of production plans and proactively resolves scheduling challenges to ensure customer commitments are met – Make It Happen.
- Supports efficient production planning to minimise waste, reduce excess inventory, and improve resource utilisation – Socially Responsible.
General
- To take responsibility for the health, safety, and welfare of yourself.
- Actively follow the Company’s Health and Safety Policy, procedures, and safe systems of work.
- Actively follow the Company’s Environmental Policy and procedures and play your part in the achievement of environmental initiatives.
- Be responsible for your quality of work and ensure that any quality checks required are carried out.
- Seek support as necessary.
- To observe and continually promote equal opportunities and diversity.
- To undertake all reasonable training activity designed to support you in your role.
- To gain an understanding of the company’s products.
- To note, understand and comply with the Company policies and procedures.
- To undertake any such other reasonable duties within your skillset as may from time to time be required by your manager.
Planner in Sunderland employer: Clearly Drinks Ltd
As a Planner at our Sunderland location, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration and continuous improvement. We offer competitive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and a commitment to employee well-being, ensuring that you can make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive environment. Join us to be part of a team that values customer service, operational efficiency, and social responsibility.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planner in Sunderland
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and understanding their supply chain processes. Be ready to discuss how your skills in production planning can help them achieve their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to build your confidence. Focus on articulating your experience in managing production schedules and collaborating with teams effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Planner in Sunderland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Planner role. Highlight your experience in production planning and how it aligns with our values like 'Customer First' and 'Be the Best'. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
Show Off Your Skills:Don’t hold back on showcasing your analytical and problem-solving skills. Mention any experience with ERP or planning systems, as well as your ability to manage multiple priorities. We love seeing candidates who can juggle tasks effectively!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Clearly Drinks Ltd
✨Know Your Production Planning Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of production planning and supply chain processes. Be ready to discuss how you would create and maintain production schedules based on demand forecasts and inventory levels. This shows that you understand the core responsibilities of the Planner role.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare examples of how you've used analytical skills to solve problems in previous roles. Whether it’s adjusting schedules due to operational issues or managing inventory levels, having concrete examples will demonstrate your capability to handle the challenges of the position.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since the role requires collaboration with various teams, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Think about how you would explain complex planning concepts to non-technical team members. Good communication can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Share specific strategies or tools you use to stay organised and ensure that production plans align with customer demands while maintaining operational efficiency.