Are you a Planner who thrives on turning complexity into results?

The Oval Partnership is working exclusively with a well-established UK food manufacturing business seeking an experienced and motivated Production Planner to strengthen its planning function.

Operating in a demanding, fast moving environment where product availability, efficiency and customer service are critical, this is an excellent opportunity to join a business where effective planning genuinely makes a difference.

You'll be joining a collaborative, commercially focused team and working closely with colleagues across the wider operation to ensure customer requirements are met while maximising manufacturing efficiency.

The Opportunity

This isn't simply about producing schedules and managing spreadsheets, it's about being at the centre of the operation, making informed decisions, anticipating challenges and ensuring the right products are produced at the right time, with the right resources.

As Production Planner, you'll take responsibility for developing and maintaining accurate daily and weekly production plans, balancing customer demand against factory capacity, labour availability and raw material supply.

You'll play a key role in ensuring the business delivers exceptional customer service while controlling inventory, minimising waste and supporting operational performance.

With regular interaction across Commercial, Operations, Procurement, Technical and Logistics, you'll have the opportunity to build influential relationships and contribute directly to business performance.

Key Responsibilities

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Develop, manage and continuously refine daily and weekly production schedules.

• Translate customer forecasts and requirements into realistic, achievable production plans.

• Balance production demand with manufacturing capacity, labour and raw material availability.

• Respond quickly and effectively to changes in customer requirements or operational circumstances.

• Monitor production plan adherence, identifying potential risks and communicating solutions.

Demand, Supply & Inventory Management

• Work closely with Commercial teams to understand customer demand and changing priorities.

• Collaborate with Procurement to maintain the right levels of raw materials and packaging.

• Monitor stock availability and support accurate inventory management.

• Help reduce waste, minimise stock write-offs and maximise product availability.

• Support effective management of short shelf-life products and manufacturing yields.

Performance, Analysis & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and report on key planning and operational performance indicators.

• Analyse forecast accuracy, production efficiency, stock availability and customer service levels.

• Identify opportunities to improve planning processes, resource utilisation and overall efficiency.

• Use data and commercial insight to support better decision-making.

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the planning function.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Build strong relationships across Production, Commercial, Procurement, Technical and Logistics.

• Communicate clearly and proactively to keep stakeholders informed of priorities, risks and opportunities.

• Help ensure customer commitments are delivered through effective planning and coordination.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a confident, capable and commercially aware planning professional who enjoys responsibility and can remain calm and effective when priorities change.

You'll ideally bring:

• A minimum of three years' experience in production planning, supply planning, manufacturing scheduling or a closely related role.

• Experience working within a fast-paced manufacturing or production environment.

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret data and make informed decisions.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience using ERP or production planning systems.

• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines.

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

• A proactive, solutions-focused approach to overcoming operational challenges.

• An understanding of the relationship between customer demand, production efficiency, inventory and commercial performance.

Experience within food manufacturing, FMCG or short shelf-life products would be particularly advantageous.

Knowledge of yield management, stock optimisation or continuous improvement would also be welcomed.

Above all, we're looking for someone who takes pride in getting things right, enjoys working collaboratively and has the drive to improve how things are done.

Key deliverables

You'll have a direct influence on several important areas of business performance, including:

• Customer service and on-time, in-full delivery (OTIF).

• Production plan accuracy and adherence.

• Forecasting and demand management.

• Waste reduction and stock control.

• Inventory accuracy and product availability.

• Efficient use of manufacturing capacity.

It's a role where your contribution will be visible, measurable and genuinely valued.

If you're looking for a planning role where you can broaden your experience, work closely with key decision-makers and contribute to a busy manufacturing operation, this position offers plenty of scope to make an impact.

Rewards

• Real operational influence – Your decisions will directly affect production performance, customer service and efficiency.

• Variety and challenge – No two days are the same in a fast-moving manufacturing environment.

• Cross-functional exposure – Work closely with commercial, operational and supply chain professionals.

• Continuous improvement – Bring your ideas, challenge existing processes and help drive better ways of working.

• Career development – Build your expertise within an established UK food manufacturing business.

• A collaborative environment – Join a team where communication, problem-solving and shared success matter.

The package includes a competitive salary, company pension scheme and opportunities for professional development.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Perhaps you're an experienced Production Planner looking for a fresh challenge, or a talented Supply Planner ready to broaden your operational exposure.

Either way, if you enjoy solving problems, working with people and making a measurable difference in manufacturing, we'd love to have a conversation.  

Please get in touch for more information or apply with your CV today.