Materials Planner - Burton Latimer in Leighton Buzzard
Materials Planner - Burton Latimer

Materials Planner - Burton Latimer in Leighton Buzzard

Leighton Buzzard Temporary 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
The Weetabix Food Company

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Ensure timely availability of raw materials for production in a dynamic FMCG environment.
  • Company: Join Weetabix, a diverse and inclusive company that values every voice.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, annual bonus, flexible work, and personal development opportunities.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model with great career growth and a supportive workplace culture.
  • Why this job: Make an impact in a fast-paced role while collaborating with innovative teams.
  • Qualifications: Experience in supply planning or inventory management is essential; strong analytical skills are a plus.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

At Weetabix, we believe that diverse teams drive better ideas, stronger decisions, and a more inclusive workplace for everyone. We're committed to building an organisation where people from all walks of life feel they belong, where different voices, experiences, and backgrounds are valued and respected.

Closing date: Tuesday 19th May

Interview process: Two Stage Process

Working pattern: Hybrid 2/3 Days on-site per week including Weetabix Wednesday, where everyone comes into the office for some great collaboration and meetings - it's a must! While we operate a hybrid working pattern, we are committed to providing flexibility where needed. We're happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process - just let us know how we can support you.

The Materials Planner ensures timely availability of raw materials to help production and customer commitments in the UK FMCG sector. This role blends operational tasks with strategic growth, using data insights, strong supplier relationships, and advanced planning tools to execute projects efficiently, minimise waste, and meet performance targets.

  • Operational Delivery (Core)
  • Ensure continuous raw material availability to meet production plans, preventing stock-outs and downtime.
  • Convert demand into accurate supplier orders, adhering to SLAs, lead times, MOQs, and EOQs.
  • Manage rolling 12-week operational and 6-month medium-term forecasts for all material categories.
  • Monitor daily stock levels, adjusting orders to maintain inventory targets and minimise obsolescence.
  • Evaluate supplier performance using KPIs (OTIF, lead time, responsiveness), driving improvements through meetings.
  • Maintain and aid an up-to-date Raw Materials Inventory Policy.
  • Control raw material write-offs with clear risk escalations.
  • Own reporting on raw material shortage risks and aged/write-off stock.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
    • Collaborate with Production Planners to manage plan changes, reducing commercial and operational impacts.
    • Coordinate with Procurement on supplier issues, contracts, and strategic sourcing.
    • Assist Quality and Technical teams with material issues, audits, and specifications.
    • Help with Pack Change, Innovation, and Commercial teams to manage NPD, pack changes, and discontinuations, ensuring supplier alignment and accurate product lifecycle data.
  • Strategic Enablement (Future-Focused)
    • Work with AI-enabled forecasting by providing accurate data, testing tools, and facilitating change adoption.
    • Optimise material flow through continuous improvement, automation, simplification, and better integration with related teams.
    • Assist in scenario planning, risk modelling, and resilience strategies to help the organisation scale and respond to external volatility.

    The Ingredients (What we need from you)

    • Key Know How:
    • Experience in raw materials planning, supply planning, or inventory management within FMCG or another fast-paced, high-change sector.
    • Strong analytical, numerical, and data interpretation skills.
    • Knowledge of planning systems (e.g., MRP/ERP), supplier management processes, and inventory KPIs.
    • Ability to manage competing priorities with accuracy and urgency.
    • Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive mindset.
  • Nice To Have:
    • Familiarity with AI-enabled forecasting, predictive analytics, or automated planning tools.
    • Continuous improvement capability (Lean, waste elimination, process mapping, root-cause techniques).
    • Experience working within an integrated S&OP/SIOP environment.
    • Knowledge of digital supply chain trends and best-in-class FMCG planning practices.
    • Ability to operate effectively in an organisation undergoing growth, transformation, or increased digital maturity.

    Your Bowl of Perks (Benefits)

    • Competitive salary & Annual Flexible benefits
    • Annual bonus
    • Double-matched pension scheme (up to 12% from us)
    • 25 days annual leave increasing with service
    • Annual Salary review
    • Healthcare plan
    • Discounted Weetabix products

    To support our employees, we also offer:

    • Continued investment in your personal development
    • Balance, whether it's for family, rest or simply time for you. As well as your holiday entitlement, you can purchase up to 5 days of additional annual leave
    • Access to 24/7 counselling service (via Grocery Aid partnership)
    • The freedom of Flexible Work Opportunities
    • Enhanced Maternity / Paternity / Adoption Leave
    • Additional Time Off for Fertility Treatment and Neonatal Care
    • Working Parents Support Group
    • Fully stocked kitchens filled with our delicious products for you to enjoy

    To learn more about life at Weetabix, visit our careers page.

    Please note: We benchmark roles based on your skills and experience, so we do not advertise fixed salary ranges. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this position; therefore, we are seeking candidates who do not require sponsorship.

    Materials Planner - Burton Latimer in Leighton Buzzard employer: The Weetabix Food Company

    At Weetabix, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where every team member feels valued and empowered. As a Materials Planner in Burton Latimer, you'll enjoy a hybrid working model that promotes collaboration and flexibility, alongside a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your personal and professional growth. With a strong focus on employee development and well-being, including enhanced leave options and a supportive culture, Weetabix is an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the FMCG sector.
    The Weetabix Food Company

    Contact Detail:

    The Weetabix Food Company Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Materials Planner - Burton Latimer in Leighton Buzzard

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for those interviews! Research Weetabix, understand their values, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Practise common interview questions and be ready to showcase your problem-solving skills.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make decisions.

    ✨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 Weetabix team.

    We think you need these skills to ace Materials Planner - Burton Latimer in Leighton Buzzard

    Raw Materials Planning
    Supply Planning
    Inventory Management
    Analytical Skills
    Data Interpretation
    Planning Systems (MRP/ERP)
    Supplier Management Processes
    Inventory KPIs
    Problem-Solving Skills
    AI-Enabled Forecasting
    Predictive Analytics
    Continuous Improvement (Lean)
    Process Mapping
    Root-Cause Techniques
    S&OP/SIOP Environment

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Materials Planner role. Highlight your experience in raw materials planning and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your background aligns with our needs. Keep it engaging and personal – we love getting to know our candidates!

    Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, make sure to include examples of how you've used data insights in your previous roles. We’re keen on seeing how you can apply these skills to optimise material flow at Weetabix.

    Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about life at Weetabix!

    How to prepare for a job interview at The Weetabix Food Company

    ✨Know Your Stuff

    Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of raw materials planning and inventory management, especially within the FMCG sector. Familiarise yourself with key terms like MRP/ERP systems and inventory KPIs, as these will likely come up during the interview.

    ✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills

    Prepare to discuss how you've used data insights in past roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how your analytical skills have helped optimise material flow or improve supplier performance. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the operational delivery aspects of the role.

    ✨Collaboration is Key

    Since this role involves cross-functional collaboration, think of examples where you've successfully worked with other teams. Highlight your experience in coordinating with production planners or procurement teams, as this will show that you can effectively manage competing priorities.

    ✨Embrace Continuous Improvement

    Familiarise yourself with concepts like Lean and process mapping. Be prepared to discuss how you've contributed to continuous improvement initiatives in previous roles. This will align well with Weetabix's focus on optimising processes and adapting to change.

    Materials Planner - Burton Latimer in Leighton Buzzard
    The Weetabix Food Company
    Location: Leighton Buzzard

    Land your dream job quicker with Premium

    You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
    Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
    Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
    1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
    Go Premium

    Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

    >