At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the planning strategy to ensure efficient production and procurement processes.
- Company: Join a growing business supplying high-volume products to major retailers.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for continuous improvement and career growth.
- Why this job: Shape planning processes and influence business performance in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Significant planning experience in production-led environments and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Are you an experienced planning leader who thrives in a fast-paced production environment? We're recruiting for a strategic Head of Planning to join a well-established, growing business supplying high-volume products to major retail customers. This is a key leadership role, responsible for driving the planning strategy across demand, procurement and production, ensuring customer requirements are met while maximising operational efficiency, reducing waste and supporting commercial growth.
The Role
Working closely with Commercial, Operations, Technical and Production teams, you will lead the end-to-end planning function, translating customer demand into achievable production and procurement plans. You'll play a pivotal role in ensuring products are delivered on time, inventory is optimised and the business remains agile in responding to changing customer requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end planning process from customer forecasts through to production schedules.
- Develop robust demand forecasts in partnership with commercial teams.
- Create production and procurement plans that maximise availability while minimising waste and excess inventory.
- Manage seasonal demand, promotional activity and capacity planning.
- Identify planning risks and opportunities, providing proactive solutions to stakeholders.
- Drive improvements in forecasting accuracy and inventory management.
- Work collaboratively with production, technical and commercial teams to align operational plans.
- Lead, mentor and develop the planning team, fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture.
- Champion continuous improvement across planning processes and systems.
About You
You'll be an experienced planning professional with a strong background in production-led environments and a proven ability to balance customer demand with operational capability.
Essential Experience
- Significant planning experience within horticulture, agriculture, fresh produce, food manufacturing or another production-based manufacturing environment.
- Strong understanding of demand planning, production planning and inventory management.
- Experience balancing customer demand with production capacity.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing abilities.
- Experience leading and developing teams.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience using planning systems.
Success in the Role
You will be recognised for delivering:
- Outstanding customer service through reliable planning.
- High levels of on-time production and procurement.
- Reduced waste and obsolete inventory.
- Effective management of seasonal demand fluctuations.
- Strong collaboration across commercial and operational teams.
- A motivated, capable and engaged planning function.
What's on Offer
Opportunity to join a successful and growing business with ambitious plans. A strategic leadership position where you can shape planning processes and influence business performance. Collaborative working environment with genuine opportunities for continuous improvement and professional development. Competitive salary and benefits package.
If you're an experienced planning leader looking for your next challenge within a dynamic production environment, we'd love to hear from you.
Head of Planning in Spalding employer: Huntress
Huntress is an excellent employer that values its employees by offering flexible working options and a competitive salary, making it an ideal place for HR professionals to thrive. With a strong focus on employee relations and compliance, the company fosters a supportive work culture that encourages professional growth and development. Located in Witham, employees benefit from free on-site parking and a collaborative environment that prioritises meaningful contributions to the organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Planning in Spalding
✨Get Involved in Local Property Events
Dive into local property expos and networking events! Real estate thrives on connections, so attending these events helps us meet potential employers and industry leaders, plus it's a chance to show off your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Connect with Local Agents on Social Media
Follow and engage with local real estate agents and firms on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Sharing their posts and commenting with your insights can put you on their radar and might even lead to job opportunities at companies like Huntress.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Huntress? Don't hesitate to send a direct message or an email expressing your interest. Personalise your approach, maybe mentioning a recent listing or project of theirs, and it could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Utilise Property Management Platforms
Check out property management platforms and job boards tailored for the real estate sector. They often have exclusive listings, especially for full-time roles. Don't forget to visit Huntress's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Planning in Spalding
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Real-Estate Savvy:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!
Quantify Your Achievements:In real estate, numbers speak volumes! When detailing your past roles, use concrete figures to demonstrate your achievements. For example, mention how many properties you sold, the percentage increase in client satisfaction, or any successful negotiations. These metrics can give your application that extra punch it needs!
Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Head of Planning role at Huntress, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable:While we want you to show off your expertise, don't forget to let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A touch of friendliness can set you apart, especially in real estate where client interaction is key. Show that you're ready not just to work with the property but also with people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Huntress
✨Know Your Market Trends
In real estate, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve. Make sure we brush up on the latest market trends in the area where Huntress operates. Being able to discuss local property values, demand, and upcoming developments will show that we’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in the industry.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.
✨Showcase Your Connections
In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to Huntress. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Technical Savvy
Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at Huntress.
