As a Production Planning Lead, you play a pivotal role in coordinating and optimizing our production processes to ensure efficiency, on-time delivery, and cost-effectiveness. Your expertise in production planning, and analytical skills is critical in driving the success of our operations.
Working hours
Monday to Friday: 08:00am –17:00pm
Responsibilities
- Lead daily and weekly production planning, aligning schedules with customer orders, forecasts, raw material availability and factory capacity.
- Manage and develop the Production Scheduler, Raw Materials Planner, Production Planner and Planning Assistant through clear objectives, coaching and performance reviews.
- Work with Operations, Purchasing, Commercial and Logistics to resolve shortages, capacity constraints and changing demand; communicate schedule changes and recovery plans promptly.
- Analyse demand, forecasts, stock and production data to support planning decisions and identify service risks early.
- Maintain accurate planning parameters, master data and schedules in ERP/MRP systems, supported by effective Excel analysis and reporting.
- Monitor schedule adherence, customer service, forecast accuracy, stock and waste, and drive improvements to planning processes and team resilience.
- Follow company health and safety, food safety, quality, ethical, environmental and energy standards, maintaining accurate records and traceability.
- Essential skills and experience:
- Substantial production planning experience, ideally in fast-paced manufacturing with short shelf-life products or complex production constraints.
- Experience supervising, leading or managing a team while remaining hands-on.
- Strong Excel skills and the ability to turn large datasets into practical planning decisions.
- Working knowledge of ERP/MRP, production scheduling, capacity planning, inventory control and demand forecasting.
- Strong communication, sound judgement and the ability to prioritise calmly under pressure.
- Desirable skills and experience
- Food manufacturing experience, particularly chilled or short shelf-life products.
- Power BI or similar reporting tools, and experience improving planning systems, data or processes.
- Exposure to sales and operations planning or execution, rough-cut capacity planning and KPI reporting.
- A relevant supply chain, operations or business qualification, or equivalent practical experience.
Job Types: Permanent, Full-time
- Canteen
- Company events
- Cycle to work scheme
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Flexitime
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate
- Leeds LS25 6PL: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience
- Production Scheduling: 2 years (preferred)
- Production Management: 1 year (required)
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Production Planning Lead in Leeds employer: Cranswick plc
Cranswick is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in East Yorkshire where innovation meets operational excellence. As a leading food producer, we prioritise employee growth through comprehensive training and development opportunities, alongside a supportive culture that values collaboration and stakeholder engagement. With competitive benefits such as a pension scheme, share save options, and an employee discount platform, joining Cranswick means being part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to driving meaningful change in the food manufacturing industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Planning Lead in Leeds
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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!
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Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Cranswick plc 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 Cranswick plc
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Cranswick plc, 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 Cranswick plc 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.
