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
At Driscoll's, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a collaborative and driven work environment where your contributions directly impact supply continuity and customer service. Located in Maidstone, this role as a Harvest Planner provides unique opportunities for professional growth within the fresh produce supply chain, supported by our values of humility, passion, and trustworthiness. With fixed working hours and a commitment to employee well-being, including compensatory time off for weekend shifts, we ensure a balanced and rewarding workplace for all team members.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Harvest Planner in Maidstone
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those already working at Driscoll's. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Brush up on supply chain processes and be ready to discuss how your skills align with the Harvest Planner role. Show us you’re passionate about fresh produce!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Harvest Planner, you'll need to liaise with growers and teams. Role-play common scenarios with a friend to boost your confidence and clarity.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Driscoll's.
We think you need these skills to ace Harvest Planner in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Harvest Planner role. Highlight your planning and organisational skills, and don’t forget to mention any experience with ERP systems and Excel. We want to see how your background aligns with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the role and how your skills can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention your proactive attitude and ability to communicate clearly with growers and teams.
Show Off Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires an analytical mindset, include examples of how you've interpreted data or resolved issues in past roles. We love seeing candidates who can think critically and adapt to challenges!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Driscoll's!
How to prepare for a job interview at Driscoll's
✨Know Your Supply Chain Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of supply chain processes, especially around orders and arrivals. Being able to discuss how you’ve managed similar tasks in the past will show that you’re ready for the fast-paced environment.
✨Show Off Your Planning Skills
Prepare examples of how you've created accurate short-term plans before. Highlight your experience with ERP systems and Excel, as these are crucial for the role. Be ready to explain how you balance accuracy with the need for speed.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Since this role involves a lot of communication with growers and internal teams, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Think of scenarios where you had to resolve issues or coordinate with different stakeholders and be ready to share those stories.
✨Be Ready for Dynamic Challenges
This job requires a proactive attitude, so come prepared to discuss how you handle unexpected challenges. Share examples of when you took ownership of a situation and how you adapted to changes in plans or priorities.
