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- Tasks: Lead production planning and scheduling for bespoke packaging solutions.
- Company: Join Macfarlane Packaging, a progressive UK manufacturer with 75 years of heritage.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible benefits, extensive training, and career progression.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative environment focused on continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: Experience in production planning and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 51000 £ per year.
Location: Alma Park Industrial Estate, Grantham, Lincolnshire
Sector: Bespoke Packaging Manufacturing
Package: Basic annual salary £40,000-£45,000, bonus & company benefits
Protecting what matters, together. At Macfarlane Packaging, we protect what matters most - our people, our customers, our communities, and the environment. With over 75 years of heritage, we combine the security of a long-established UK manufacturer with a progressive, continuous-improvement mindset. Our culture is collaborative, supportive and results driven. You will be encouraged to challenge, improve and influence - with genuine opportunities for development, progression, and long-term career satisfaction.
We are seeking an experienced Production Planning Manager to lead production planning and scheduling at our Grantham manufacturing site. Our Design & Manufacturing division specialises in bespoke protective packaging solutions, serving customers across Aerospace, Defence, Electronics, Industrial and Medical sectors throughout the UK. Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will ensure production is planned and delivered efficiently, cost-effectively and in line with customer requirements, while driving continuous improvement across planning, resource utilisation, and output.
Key Responsibilities
- Own end-to-end production planning and scheduling for the Grantham manufacturing operation.
- Balance demand, capacity, materials, and labour to meet OTIF, efficiency and cost targets.
- Lead daily production planning meetings and manage short-term schedule changes.
- Monitor performance data and KPIs, driving corrective action and continuous improvement.
- Line-manage and develop the Planning Co-ordinator and Production Section Leaders.
- Work closely with Sales, Production, Transport and Senior Management to align plans and priorities.
What you will bring
Essential
- Excellent customer service is essential whilst optimising the production schedule for best efficiencies.
- Proven experience in production planning within a manufacturing environment, ideally at supervisory or management level.
- Strong working knowledge of capacity planning, scheduling, lead time management, and workflow control.
- Hands-on experience using ERP/MRP systems to manage production plans, materials, and demand.
- Demonstrable ability to manage production costs, labour planning, and output against budget and KPI targets.
- Confident people manager with experience leading, developing, and coordinating planning/production teams.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret production data and translate it into practical actions.
- Excellent communication skills, with a customer-focused mindset and the confidence to challenge where needed.
- Comfortable working on-site full time in Grantham - applicants should live within a sensible daily commute or be genuine relocators.
Desirable
- Experience within bespoke, make-to-order or low-volume/high-mix manufacturing environments.
- Exposure to packaging manufacturing or similar engineered product environments.
- Formal or practical experience of Lean / Continuous Improvement tools (Lean, 5S, SMED, TQM, Six Sigma).
- Experience contributing to or managing planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programmes.
- Supply chain, operations or planning qualifications (e.g. APICS / CPIM) or equivalent experience.
What you will get
We offer a competitive salary and a flexible benefits package, which can include:
- 23 days annual leave (rising with service) plus bank holidays
- Contributory pension scheme
- Bonus and incentive opportunities
- Free on-site parking
- Employee assistance and wellbeing support
- Extensive training, development, and progression opportunities
- Employee discount schemes and mobile phone discounts
- Health, dental and family-friendly benefits for qualifying roles
- Long service awards and charitable giving options
Macfarlane Group is committed to maximising every employee's potential, offering clear development pathways in an environment that supports growth and continuous improvement.
Next steps
We aim to hold local interviews in Grantham as soon as possible, with a view to the successful candidate joining us quickly in the new year. Please click apply to submit your CV. All applications will be acknowledged. If you have not heard from us within a fortnight, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact our recruitment team. NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES PLEASE.
Production Planning Manager in Grantham employer: Macfarlane Packaging
Contact Detail:
Macfarlane Packaging Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Planning Manager in Grantham
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Macfarlane Packaging, their values, and their products. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your experience aligns with the role of Production Planning Manager. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Production Planning Manager in Grantham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Production Planning Manager role. Highlight your experience in production planning and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've improved efficiency or managed costs in previous roles. This helps us see the impact you've made in your past positions.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our mission at Macfarlane Packaging. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Macfarlane Packaging
✨Know Your Production Planning Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your production planning knowledge. Understand the key concepts like capacity planning, scheduling, and workflow control. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles, especially in a manufacturing environment.
✨Show Off Your People Skills
As a Production Planning Manager, you'll be leading teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed and developed teams in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you've fostered collaboration across departments.
✨Be Data-Driven
Get comfortable with discussing performance data and KPIs. Be prepared to explain how you've used data to drive improvements in production efficiency and cost management. This will show that you're not just about planning but also about results.
✨Demonstrate Continuous Improvement Mindset
Macfarlane Packaging values continuous improvement, so come ready to share your experiences with Lean tools or any other improvement methodologies. Discuss specific instances where you've implemented changes that led to better outcomes in production.