Head of Planning in Attleborough, Norfolk

The Head of Planning is responsible for leading a Planning function to ensure the availability and profile of chicken to meet operational needs for 100% customer fulfilment while adhering to the required quality, environmental, and poultry welfare standards. Works in close alignment with Commercial and Operational areas of the business to drive increased revenue and profit to achieve the Company’s growth plans.

Responsibilities and duties include:

• Implementing systems and processes to align production plans with optimised bird numbers & weights to meet customer orders.
• Building collaborative relationships, engaging across the business to create a culture that delivers for our customers.
• Building, managing and mentoring a performing team which focuses on continuous improvement, with a clear succession and talent development plan.
• Working closely with Commercial, Agriculture and Operations to create mid-term forecasts based on customer needs and operational capability.
• Analysis and recommendations based on data to maximise stock and operational efficiencies.

Essential Skills, Competencies and Qualities:

• Commercially astute, articulate, technically strong, dynamic and insightful; can restructure and reprioritise work in the light of changing context or unexpected situations.
• Displays integrity; is sincere in own behaviour and in dealings with others; role models values and behaviours and challenges those of others.
• Ability to challenge the status quo whilst appreciating different perspectives; analysing problems and issues, spotting trends and opportunities and then offering creative and practical solutions.
• Highly self-motivated and self-aware; recognises own strengths and weaknesses, is committed to personal development.
• Energetic, with an enquiring mind and passion for excellence and innovation in pursuit of business growth and success.
• Excellent Communication and Influencing Skills.
• Excellent Customer Service.
• People Leadership Skills.
• Experience in demand planning.
• Intermediate Microsoft Excel.

Desirable Skills:

• Good Computer Skills (Microsoft Office).
• Leadership and Management qualification.
• Wide Poultry Network.
• Poultry Welfare knowledge.

Key Responsibilities:

• Timely delivery of weekly and daily production plans by area, line and product.
• Short and medium term forecasting.
• Manage and resolve issues by working with key stakeholders, including Commercial, Operations and Transport to find best resolution.
• Liaise closely with wider Agriculture team and act as escalation point for bird health issues affecting production and quality.
• Investigate and report on complaints and work with the Technical Department to ensure compliance, document and resolve non-conformances and assist with customer traces.
• Include in planning process: Catching team - contact the WMS Agency to arrange catching team and inform Farm Manager of their catching times to make sure they withdraw the feed in time.
• Transport Schedule - liaise with the Transport Department and inform Farm Manager of the lorries arrival time to collect and transport live birds so that the site is prepared for catching.
• Crop break - work with the Agricultural Team on the farm clearance to liaise with the placement days (crop break) to ensure a high level of hygiene is kept on the farms.
• Complete appropriate paperwork for licensing or legal requirements to ensure authorisation of transporting live birds as well as the slaughter (ATC - Animal Transport Certificates, EPHC at outbreak licensing.gov.uk etc.).
• Maintain the live database and other files up to date to ensure accurate data for planning.
• Attend daily and weekly meetings such as operations meeting, planning meeting and final bird plan meeting to ensure clear communication across relevant stakeholders.
• Communicate with the Group / external buyers to procure additional live birds, when required.
• Comply with the Agricultural budget and seek cost-effective solutions.
• Manage and motivate the team to deliver business performance and develop team members.
• Monitor risks and hazards in the workplace to ensure your own and others' health and safety.
• Act as an emergency point of contact.

Hours of work are Monday to Friday 08:00 - 17:00.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent.

Pay: £60,000.00-£65,000.00 per year.