At a Glance
- Tasks: Support planning and scheduling to meet stock and service targets in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join Greencore, a leading UK convenience food creator with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, holidays, pension, life insurance, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the food industry while developing your skills and career.
- Qualifications: Experience in fast-paced environments, strong attention to detail, and good communication skills.
- Other info: Receive on-the-job training and access to a Wellbeing Centre for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Why Greencore? Following the combination with Bakkavor in January 2026, we’re one of the UK’s leading creators of convenience food, driven by a simple purpose: to make everyday taste better. As a vibrant and fast-moving business, we’re proud to employ over 28,000 talented colleagues across 36 manufacturing sites and 21 distribution depots in the UK and the US. Together, we bring delicious food to life. Our products cover every meal occasion from breakfast through to dinner and dessert, with lunch and snacking in between. In FY25, our shared passion helped us achieve combined revenues of approximately £4bn. Our extensive direct to store (DTS) network, with 17 depots across the UK, allows us to deliver fresh and frozen food both our own and from trusted partners to thousands of stores every day, ensuring consumers enjoy the very best, whenever and wherever they shop. Here at Heathrow, we are a growing team with around 450 colleagues. We produce chilled & hot eat Food for Now products including salads, sandwiches & wraps, Protein Pots & snacking, as well as Food for Later products such as ready meals & sides for some of the biggest retailers in the UK including Amazon Fresh, Asda, Aldi, Co-op, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s.
What you’ll be doing:
- Working 4 on 4 off (6am to 6pm) to support the implementation of optimum plans and schedules that deliver stock and service targets and/or procure materials/labour.
- Support planners maintaining Material availability.
- Manage risks within the plan and amend orders where possible/practical to achieve customer service and stock targets.
- Share forecasts with suppliers and work with them to resolve issues.
- Manage ongoing communication with the operations teams to ensure accurate exchange of information.
- Issue all paperwork to Operations and Warehouse teams.
- Monitor distribution providers' 'real time' delivery performance, escalating potential OTIF failures as early as possible - both internally and to customers.
- Quality of communication with distributor and Customer.
- Utilise available planning systems to convert sales forecasts into achievable production and material plans and schedules that optimally balance customer service and operational cost efficiency.
- Propose and implement continuous improvements in own area.
What we’re looking for:
- Experience working in a fast-paced seasonal environment.
- Attention to detail skill and ability.
- Can demonstrate analytical thinking.
- Good communication & organisation skills.
- Confident and regular user of software packages such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
What you’ll get in return:
- Competitive salary and job-related benefits.
- Holidays.
- Pension up to 8% matched.
- Life insurance up to 4x salary.
- Company share save scheme.
- Exclusive Greencore employee discount platform.
- Access to a full Wellbeing Centre platform.
- Enhanced parental leave and menopause policies.
Throughout your time at Greencore, you will be supported with on the job training and development opportunities to further your career.
Planning Assistant in West Drayton employer: Our Vacancies
Contact Detail:
Our Vacancies Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Assistant in West Drayton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Greencore on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research Greencore’s products and values. Be ready to discuss how your skills in planning and communication can help them achieve their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your analytical skills! During interviews, share examples of how you've used data to solve problems or improve processes. This will demonstrate that you’re the right fit for a fast-paced environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Greencore team.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Assistant in West Drayton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Planning Assistant role. Highlight your experience in fast-paced environments and any relevant skills that match what we're looking for, like analytical thinking and attention to detail.
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since good communication is key in this role, don’t shy away from showcasing your ability to convey information clearly. Use examples from your past experiences where you effectively communicated with teams or suppliers.
Be Specific About Your Experience: When detailing your work history, be specific about your achievements and responsibilities. Mention any software packages you've used, like Excel, and how they helped you in planning and organisation.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly 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!
How to prepare for a job interview at Our Vacancies
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand Greencore's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their products and recent developments in the convenience food sector. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your skills to their needs.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience in fast-paced environments and how you've handled challenges. Prepare specific examples that highlight your attention to detail, analytical thinking, and communication skills. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the team you'll be working with. Inquire about the planning systems they use or how they measure success in the Planning Assistant position. This demonstrates your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
✨Dress the Part
While Greencore is a vibrant and fast-moving business, it's still important to present yourself professionally. Opt for smart-casual attire that reflects your respect for the opportunity while keeping it comfortable for a potentially long day of interviews.