PRODUCTION PLANNER
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Designer Parfums is a fast-growing, dynamic global fragrance company in the perfume & cosmetics industry, with a UK base in London and international ambition, with active business in around 70 markets.
We are a small family-owned business, and we are proud to create, develop, and distribute brands from a fantastic portfolio of heritage classics to celebrity trend-led fragrances. We are brand owners and licensees for GHOST, JENNIFER LOPEZ, HAWAIIAN TROPIC, CERRUTI, PLAYBOY & JEAN LOUIS SCHERRER, and proud to be distributors for ARIANA GRANDE, GUY LAROCHE, PILOMA PICASSO, AIGNER & GANT.
JOB PURPOSE
Designer Parfums (DP) is seeking a highly skilled Production Planner to take full ownership of end-to-end production and materials planning for an assigned portfolio of brands. This role is responsible for ensuring the timely, cost-effective, and quality-driven execution of production plans—ensuring all finished goods, components, and materials are available in line with commercial requirements, customer demand, and launch calendars.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Production & Material Planning
- Develop, execute, and maintain detailed production plans aligned with demand forecasts, commercial priorities, and inventory strategies.
- Coordinate production schedules with manufacturers and contract fillers, ensuring adherence to agreed timelines and service levels.
- Create and launch new SKUs and Bills of Materials (BOMs) to support innovation projects and new product launches—ensuring complete master data accuracy.
- Manage production planning for additional allocated brands as required.
Supplier & Manufacturing Partner Management
- Own the operational relationship with key suppliers, contract manufacturers, and fillers—driving performance, communication, and issue resolution.
- Ensure all partners meet production commitments, quality specifications, and on-time delivery targets for both components and finished goods.
- Conduct regular stock reconciliations with contract fillers and drive corrective actions for discrepancies.
Inventory, Availability & Risk Management
- Monitor inventory health and drive initiatives to optimise stock holding, reduce obsolescence, and support financial and operational targets.
- Proactively identify and report potential out-of-stock (OOS) risks, proposing mitigation strategies to protect customer service levels.
- Maintain responsibility for stock availability, intake management, and sales forecast support—providing regular updates and insights to the Brand and Commercial teams.
Systems, Data & Process Ownership
- Create and maintain Purchase Orders (POs) and Production Orders (PVs) in SAP, ensuring master data and transactional accuracy.
- Lead Netstock implementation for your brand and maintain full ownership of stock management within Netstock, including parameter setup, replenishment policies, exception management, and reporting.
- Champion data integrity across SAP and Netstock to ensure reliable planning outputs.
- Process and approve supplier invoices in accordance with finance controls.
- Contribute to the development of supply chain digital tools and enhancements, ensuring systems align with operational best practices.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives aimed at efficiency, process optimisation, and enhanced planning visibility.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Act as a key liaison across Marketing, NPD, Demand Planning, Logistics, Procurement, QC, Master Data, Customer Service, Finance, and the China Supply Team.
- Provide operational support for launches, supply reviews, and business planning cycles.
- Ensure technical, regulatory, and quality standards are consistently upheld across suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Operational KPIs:
- Deliver and continuously improve:
- OTIF (On-Time In-Full)
- Inventory on hand
- Production Plan Adherence
- Customer Service Level
- Cost Savings & Efficiency Gains
- Quality & Compliance Metrics
REQUIREMENTS
- Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP or Netstock
- Experience with production planning, inventory management, and quality control activities.
- Excellent with MS Excel for data visualisation, analysis, and reports
- Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP): Experience with MRP and MPS systems is often required.
- Knowledge of the Manufacturing processes and principles
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and eliminate production bottlenecks.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills to liaise with different departments, suppliers, and manufacturers
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage priorities and deadlines effectively.
- Ability to use data and forecasting to make informed decisions.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
- Degree beneficial but not essential
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Planner in Watford
✨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!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
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 DESIGNER PARFUMS, 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!
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 DESIGNER PARFUMS 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 DESIGNER PARFUMS
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with DESIGNER PARFUMS, 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 DESIGNER PARFUMS 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.
