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: Competitive salary, holidays, pension contributions, and exclusive employee discounts.
- Other info: Enjoy on-the-job training and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team delivering delicious food to major retailers.
- Qualifications: Experience in fast-paced environments, strong communication, and analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ 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 every day 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. Maternity cover - FTC. 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. 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: We’re proud to be recognised in the Gender Equity Measure Top 100 for our commitment to gender equality. 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.
If this sounds like you, join us and grow with Greencore, and be a part of driving our future success.
What you’ll get in return: Competitive salary and job related benefits, Holidays, Competitive matched pension contributions, Life insurance up to 4x salary, Company shares 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 (FTC) in West Drayton employer: Our Vacancies
Greencore is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture at our Heathrow site where over 450 colleagues collaborate to create delicious convenience food for leading UK retailers. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive training and development opportunities, competitive salaries, and a range of benefits including enhanced parental leave and a comprehensive wellbeing platform. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that values your contributions and supports your career progression in a fast-paced environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Assistant (FTC) in West Drayton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at Greencore. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Greencore’s products and values. Show us you’re passionate about making every day taste better and how your skills can contribute to that mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions and have examples ready that showcase your attention to detail and analytical thinking. We want to see how you’ve tackled challenges in fast-paced environments before!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show us you’re genuinely interested in joining the Greencore team.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Assistant (FTC) in West Drayton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Planning Assistant role. Highlight any relevant experience in fast-paced environments and your skills in communication and organisation. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're excited about joining Greencore and how your background aligns with our mission. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm, so let your personality come through!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to mention your proficiency with software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so be sure to highlight any analytical thinking or planning experience you have!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
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
Highlight your experience in fast-paced environments and your attention to detail. Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've successfully managed schedules or improved processes. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is key for a Planning Assistant role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Prepare to discuss how you would handle communication with suppliers and operations teams, as this is crucial for the job.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the company. Inquire about the team dynamics, challenges they face, or how success is measured in the position. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
