Planning Manager in Spalding

Come and join the leading #avoexperts. Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce – 365 days a year & across the globe. With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognised as the leading #avoexperts and considered as the supplier of choice to both retail & wholesale customers whom we serve from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America & Southern Africa.

As Planning Manager, you will lead and develop a high-performing planning team, coordinating customer demand, site capacity, and inbound supply to ensure smooth operational delivery. You will be responsible for accurate capacity modelling, optimised resource planning, and robust planning processes that drive efficiency, safety, and compliance. This pivotal role ensures strong governance across People, Safety, Quality, and Cost, while maintaining a customer-first mindset to support on-time, in-full delivery.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead, coach, and develop the Planning team, fostering high performance and a collaborative, solution-focused culture.
• Create and maintain safe, compliant, and achievable plans by integrating operational, equipment, and capacity constraints.
• Ensure planning decisions protect product quality, maintain accurate data, and meet all technical and customer requirements.
• Optimise ripening and production capacity to minimise waste and cost while driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and deliver daily, weekly, and seasonal plans aligned with customer demand and service-level expectations.
• Balance inbound supply, ripening readiness, and operational capacity to ensure consistent on-time, in-full delivery.
• Contribute to S&OP processes and S&OE, ensuring accurate forecasting, capacity outlooks, and cross-functional alignment.
• Champion a strong customer-first mindset, proactively managing risks and ensuring “right first time” performance.

Requirements:

• Proven experience in planning, scheduling, or supply chain management within the fresh produce, FMCG, or perishable goods sector.
• Strong knowledge of short shelf-life products, temperature-controlled operations, and fast-paced production environments.
• Proficiency in forecasting tools, ERP/MRP systems, and advanced Excel (including pivot tables, modelling, and data analysis).
• Ability to analyse large data sets and convert insights into accurate, actionable forecasts.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing planning or scheduling teams.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Highly analytical with strong attention to detail, capable of interpreting complex data and making sound decisions.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities with a proactive approach to identifying risks, resolving issues, and driving continuous improvement.

Benefits:

• 20 days holiday
• Free on-site parking
• Company pension plan
• Medicash plan
• Life Insurance

Please note that this position does not have a specific closing date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and the advert may be removed at any time. We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, or veteran, neurodiversity or disability status.