At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage sourcing and planning for raw materials and packaging in a fast-growing plant-based company.
- Company: Join Deliciously Ella, a mission-driven brand focused on real food and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive perks like health insurance, generous holiday, and study leave for qualifications.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a market-leading company prioritising sustainability and natural goodness.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in production planning or procurement with strong Excel skills.
- Other info: Be part of a positive culture in a certified B Corp with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About Deliciously Ella
Deliciously Ella's mission is to help people eat real food again, with more plants, more of the time. We are growing fast and we’re looking for talented, passionate, purpose-led people who share in our mission to help us get there. Every day, we work to cultivate positive change, sharing delicious, natural, plant-based recipes and food products with the aim of building the world's leading plant-based platform. Starting from a recipe website, the business has evolved into a restaurant, a range of plant-based food products, an app, a collection of bestselling recipe books and a growing social media community that sits at the heart of what we do. We launched our first food products in 2016 and have since launched a wide range of products across different categories. We work with all the major grocers and OOH retailers across the UK. We also have a growing international business in the US and Europe. Deliciously Ella is a part of the Hero Group, a global family of brands united by a shared mission to Delight Consumers through honest goodness in every bite.
About Hero Group
Hero is a global food company, founded in 1886 in Switzerland, specializing in branded nutritional products across the Growing Up and Adult categories. With a portfolio of trusted brands like Corny, Semper, Goodies, Beech-Nut, Organix, and Deliciously Ella, Hero delivers high-quality, great-tasting food rooted in natural goodness. Guided by its mission to "To delight Consumers through honest Goodness in every Bite". With 4,000 team members worldwide, the company is driven by strong values, high performance, and a commitment to doing the right thing—always, without compromise.
This is a unique opportunity to make a visible impact in a market-leading company that prioritises sustainability, integrity, and natural goodness. We’re proud to be a certified B Corp, using business as a force for good — for people, communities, and the planet. You’ll find our offices in sunny Bournemouth, and the heart of London with a Deliciously Ella factory in Milton Keynes, where our passionate teams make this delicious magic happen. We’ve been named a Great Place to Work, and we’re seriously proud of the positive culture and business we’ve built together.
What are we looking for?
We’re looking for a Planning & Procurement Manager to manage our raw material and packaging sourcing, and to plan weekly factory production. You’ll make sure the factory has the right materials and packaging, in the right volumes, at the right price, on site to meet production demand.
Your team
The role is located at our Deliciously Ella factory at Greenways Business Park, Winslow and will report to our Factory Head of Supply Chain. We ideally would like someone to start by no later than April 2026.
What you will bring (skills and experience)
- 3+ years' experience in production planning and/or procurement
- Strong Excel and numerical skills
- Experience working with MRP/ERP systems
- Confident communicator and negotiator
- Highly organised, detail-focused, and deadline-driven
What we expect from you (behaviours & values)
Procurement & supplier management- Develop short-, medium-, and long-term buying strategies
- Source, purchase, and contract raw materials (such as fruit, nuts, oats, fats, sugars) and packaging
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships and run tenders when required
- Work closely with group procurement colleagues to track ingredient and packaging costs, monitor market trends, and for purchasing opportunities
- Negotiate pricing and ensure quality and service standards
- Play a key role in the NPD pipeline, providing insight into raw material costs and suppliers
- Own and plan weekly and monthly production cycles based on demand forecasts
- Inventory management; Ensure the right level of material and packaging are available on site to meet production plans, whilst maintaining steady cash flow
- Work closely with the Production Manager to plan productions in line with operational targets and support production KPI tracking
- Liaise between production team, warehouse, and Plan & Deliver team to ensure production plans are achievable and meet demand
- Track Compliance to Schedule (plan attainment), support production Waste & Giveaway tracking
- Produce weekly performance reports for senior leadership
- Identify opportunities to improve production efficiency and reduce costs
What we offer
You will have the opportunity to be part of a mission driven business at a hugely exciting point in our growth trajectory, where your voice is heard and where you’re able to actively impact our business.
Some great perks in working for Hero UK&I include:
- Contributory pension scheme
- Life Assurance of 4 x base salary
- Income Protection insurance
- 25 days holiday plus an extra day off for your birthday and an additional day after 5 years of service
- Health insurance through Vitality
- Bike2Work scheme & Electric Car Scheme
- Twice-yearly team events
- Free Deliciously Ella snacks available in communal areas on site
- Access to GroceryAid employee assistance resources
- Enhanced maternity leave (16 weeks full pay) and paternity leave (4 weeks full pay)
- Workplace Nursery salary sacrifice scheme offering significant childcare savings
- Up to 8 days per year study leave for job relevant qualifications
- Free Deliciously Ella App Access for you and five friends and family
Our Values
Our values are at the heart of everything we do. Developed through an inclusive process involving colleagues from across the business, they guide how we work, collaborate, and succeed together. They reflect who we are today and the future we are building:
- Create Wow - We go beyond expectations and strive to make a meaningful impact
- Everyone Hero – Every individual matters and every contribution counts.
- Nourish Others – We support, inspire, and help each other grow.
- Take Responsibility - We own our actions and outcomes, individually and as a team
Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
At Hero UK&I we are committed to cultivating and maintaining a culture that is inclusive and diverse. We celebrate differences and continually support all team members to be proud of who they are. We pride ourselves on equal employment opportunity regardless of gender, sex, age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or social class. We hire the best people based on an evaluation of their abilities and effectiveness, nothing else.
Planning and Procurement Manager, Maternity Cover employer: Deliciously Ella
Contact Detail:
Deliciously Ella Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning and Procurement Manager, Maternity Cover
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues 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 Deliciously Ella and Hero Group thoroughly. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your skills align with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Planning and Procurement Manager, you'll need to be confident in discussions about pricing and contracts. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to sharpen those skills before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission-driven team.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning and Procurement Manager, Maternity Cover
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for plant-based food and sustainability shine through. We want to see that you share our mission and values, so don’t hold back on expressing why you’re excited about this role!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Planning and Procurement Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in production planning and procurement, and don’t forget to mention your strong Excel skills. We love seeing how your background aligns with what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the important bits without unnecessary fluff.
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 Deliciously Ella
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Deliciously Ella's mission and values. Understand their focus on plant-based products and sustainability. This will not only help you answer questions but also show your genuine interest in the company.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience in production planning and procurement. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships or improved production efficiency. Use numbers to back up your achievements!
✨Excel at Excel
Since strong Excel skills are a must for this role, brush up on your spreadsheet abilities. Be prepared to discuss how you've used Excel in past roles, whether for tracking inventory or analysing data trends.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the company's future plans, especially regarding their product lines and sustainability initiatives. This shows that you're not just interested in the job, but also in contributing to their mission.