At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage short-term harvest planning and connect growers with supply chain teams.
- Company: Join a dynamic team in the fresh produce supply chain.
- Benefits: Fixed hours, weekend shifts compensated with time off, and hands-on experience.
- Other info: Opportunity to develop expertise in an international setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on supply continuity and customer service in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Detail-oriented planner with strong communication and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About the Opportunity
As a Harvest Planner, you play a key role in connecting supply and demand across our fresh produce supply chain. You are part of the Harvest Planning team and responsible for creating accurate, short term plans that ensure our customers are supplied on time and in full. From grower submissions and daily planning to purchase orders and arrivals, you manage the operational planning cycle while working closely with growers and key internal stakeholders. This is a fast paced, hands on role where accuracy, communication and timely decision making are essential. The role follows fixed working hours from 06:30 to 15:30. You will work one weekend shift every other week, for which you receive one compensatory day off during the week.
We are looking for two temporary team members to strengthen our team for the next six months.
Responsibilities
- Take ownership of short term harvest planning and act as the operational link between growers and internal supply chain teams.
- Ensure reliable data, robust daily plans and clear communication, enabling smooth execution and service fulfilment in a dynamic fresh produce environment.
- Manage grower submissions, stock data, and short-term supply forecasts, ensuring accuracy and timely availability across all planning systems.
- Build and execute daily (Day 1) harvest and allocation plans aligned with weekly supply, stock age, quality, logistics constraints and demand priorities.
- Allocate supply to demand using planning tools and ERP systems, identifying risks or gaps and coordinating adjustments with Planning, Logistics and Grower Operations.
- Act as a central communication hub between growers, commercial teams, master planning, logistics and intake.
- Create, update and manage grower purchase orders, harvest orders and ASN related activities.
- Support intake and site teams with arrivals, open stock visibility and operational queries.
- Ensure system inputs are accurate and contribute to continuous improvement of planning processes and ways of working.
Why Join Us?
You will join a collaborative and driven planning team where your work has a direct impact on supply continuity and customer service. This role offers broad exposure to the fresh produce supply chain and the opportunity to further develop your planning and operational expertise in an international environment.
Qualifications
- Detail oriented and communicative planner who thrives in an operational environment where priorities can change quickly.
- Comfortable working with data, engaging with multiple stakeholders and making real time decisions to keep operations on track.
- Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to balance accuracy and pace.
- Clear and confident communication skills when working with growers and cross functional teams.
- Analytical mindset, with the ability to interpret data, investigate variances and resolve issues.
- Experience working with ERP systems (ideally Prophet) and strong Excel skills.
- A proactive and resilient attitude, with confidence to take ownership in a dynamic environment.
- Flexibility to work early starts, weekend shifts and adjusted weekly schedules.
- Understanding of operational supply chain processes, including orders, arrivals and ASNs.
Harvest Planner (6 months) in Maidstone employer: Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc
Join our dynamic team as a Harvest Planner, where you will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of our fresh produce supply chain. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that values accuracy and communication, offering you the chance to develop your skills in a fast-paced environment. With fixed working hours and the opportunity for compensatory time off, we provide a supportive atmosphere that encourages professional growth and a meaningful impact on customer service.
Contact Details:
Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Harvest Planner (6 months) in Maidstone
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect 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 role. Understand their supply chain processes and be ready to discuss how your skills can help them achieve their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Harvest Planner, clear communication is key. Role-play interview scenarios with friends or family to boost your confidence and ensure you can articulate your thoughts clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to our fresh produce supply chain.
We think you need these skills to ace Harvest Planner (6 months) in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Harvest Planner role. Highlight your planning and organisational skills, and don’t forget to mention any experience with ERP systems or Excel!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for our team. Talk about your detail-oriented approach and how you thrive in fast-paced environments.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves a lot of communication with growers and internal teams, make sure to demonstrate your clear and confident communication style in your application. We want to see how you can connect with others!
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 don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc
✨Know Your Supply Chain Basics
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of supply chain processes, especially in fresh produce. Understanding how grower submissions, stock data, and demand priorities work will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Show Off Your Data Skills
Since this role involves working with ERP systems and Excel, be prepared to discuss your experience with these tools. Bring examples of how you've used data to make decisions or improve processes in previous roles. This will demonstrate your analytical mindset and attention to detail.
✨Communicate Clearly
As a Harvest Planner, you'll need to liaise with various stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to role-play some scenarios where you have to communicate complex information to different teams, showcasing your ability to adapt your communication style.
✨Be Ready for Dynamic Questions
Expect questions about how you handle changing priorities and fast-paced environments. Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed unexpected challenges or made quick decisions. This will highlight your proactive attitude and resilience, which are key for this role.
