Senior Supply Chain Planner in Derby

The Senior Planner is responsible for managing and optimising production in a busy food manufacturing environment. This role involves ensuring the timely availability of raw materials, managing production schedules, and coordinating with cross-functional teams to meet customer demand while minimising inventory costs and production downtime. With the utilisation of planning tools and data analysis, the Senior Planner will strive towards smooth and efficient operations which will ultimately contribute to the company's profitability and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities:

• Production and Capacity Planning: Develop and maintain detailed production schedules that ensure on-time delivery of finished goods while optimising plant capacity and resources. Collaborate with production teams to manage daily, weekly, and monthly production plans based on demand forecasts, sales orders, and available capacity. Ensure that production schedules align with customer demand, minimizing stockouts, excess inventory, and waste.
• Raw Material and Inventory Management: Monitor inventory levels of raw materials and finished goods to ensure that there is no overstock or stockouts. Develop strategies to reduce excess inventory while maintaining the right balance for efficient operations.
• Supply Chain Coordination: Collaborate with the Supply Chain team to ensure the timely delivery of raw materials and finished goods. Work with internal stakeholders (Production & Warehouse) to resolve any issues that might cause delays or disruptions in the supply chain.
• Process Improvement and Optimisation: Identify and implement improvements to the planning processes to enhance production efficiency, reduce lead times, and optimise inventory levels.
• Reporting and Analytics: Prepare and present regular reports to senior management, highlighting key trends, challenges, and opportunities for improvement in the planning process. Use other planning tools to generate reports and insights on production efficiency and inventory status.
• Team Collaboration: Act as a liaison between various teams, including production and sales, to ensure effective communication and alignment on production goals and schedules. Provide guidance and mentorship to junior planners and other team members, promoting knowledge sharing and best practices.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Experience: Experienced in production planning management, ideally within a food industry or fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) environment. Experience in production scheduling and inventory management. Familiarity with the unique challenges of the food industry, such as perishability, regulatory compliance, and seasonality.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, etc.) and advanced Excel skills for data analysis and reporting. Knowledge of planning and scheduling software tools (e.g., APS, MRP, Demand Planning Tools).
• Soft Skills: Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to identify issues and implement solutions in a timely manner. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work cross-functionally with different departments and stakeholders. High attention to detail and ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment. Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities to meet deadlines.

Why Join Us? At Fairfax Meadow, we value innovation and collaboration. As a Senior Supply Chain Planner, you’ll be at the heart of our outbound operations, driving performance and ensuring that our products are always available to meet customer needs. With a strong commercial focus, you can directly influence our sales strategies and contribute to the company’s growth.