At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage fresh produce supply chain planning and ensure timely delivery to customers.
- Company: Join Driscoll's, the global leader in fresh berries with a rich farming heritage.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, collaborative team environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with weekend shifts and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on supply continuity and customer service in a dynamic role.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years of planning experience, strong communication, and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: UK - Maidstone
Job Family: Supply Chain
Time Type: Full time
Job Requisition ID: R0008914
Experience: 3-5 Years of Experience
Employee Type: Regular
Remote Type: Onsite
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.
Responsibilities:
- Managing grower submissions, stock data and short term supply forecasts, ensuring accuracy and timely availability across all planning systems.
- Building and executing daily (Day 1) harvest and allocation plans, aligned with weekly supply, stock age, quality, logistics constraints and demand priorities.
- Allocating supply to demand using planning tools and ERP systems, identifying risks or gaps and coordinating adjustments with Planning, Logistics and Grower Operations.
- Acting as a central communication hub between growers, commercial teams, master planning, logistics and intake.
- Creating, updating and managing grower purchase orders, harvest orders and ASN related activities.
- Supporting intake and site teams with arrivals, open stock visibility and operational queries.
- Ensuring system inputs are accurate and contributing to continuous improvement of planning processes and ways of working.
What You Bring:
- 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.
- An 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.
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.
Harvest Planner in Maidstone employer: Driscoll's
Driscoll’s Maidstone is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and safety are paramount. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have opportunities to enhance your skills through training and collaboration with experienced professionals. The late shift allows for a unique work-life balance, making it an attractive option for those seeking meaningful employment in a supportive and fast-paced setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Harvest Planner in Maidstone
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at Driscoll's, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Harvest Planner.
We think you need these skills to ace Harvest Planner in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at Driscoll's. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research Driscoll's and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Driscoll's
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at Driscoll's.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Driscoll's
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Driscoll's might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!
