Production Planner

Thorn Baker Industrial Recruitment are looking for an experienced Production Planner for a leading food manufacturer based in Leicestershire.

The role involves issuing effective and efficient daily and weekly production schedules across all bakeries to optimise customer service, particularly within a high SKU mix environment, while also re‑developing the planning and forecasting system. It requires close collaboration with bakery teams to continuously improve the planning process, as well as working alongside Stock Control and the Production Manager to ensure all raw materials, equipment, and staffing are in place for production.

This position is particularly suited to planners who have experience focusing on people‑based planning, such as managing workforce numbers and skill sets, rather than relying primarily on equipment or machine capacity.

• Develop a weekly plan
• Convert the weekly plan to a daily schedule and issue to all bakeries
• Build and maintain the long term weekly forecast
• Analyse data and generate reports on production metrics, such as efficiency and utilisation
• Lead planning meetings
• Resolve scheduling conflicts and adjust production schedules as needed
• Find ways to improve productivity and reduce costs
• Align available raw materials, equipment and manning with Stock Control and Production Manager
• Ensure Health Safety and Food Safety standards are maintained.
• To carry out any reasonable request made of you by your Manager.

• Proven experience working as a production planner – doesn’t necessarily have to be from a food production as this role is about people planning rather than about machines and equipment etc
• This is a highly hands‑on role with no on‑site automation, as all products are handmade and bespoke, so it's important that you're comfortable working in this type of environment.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills
• Good communication and influencing skills
• Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications
• Have their own transport due to location

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