Production Planner

Production Planner Suffolk ? Office Hours 3-Month Contract Role Rate £20.00 - £32.00 LTD or PAYE options available The Company We are working with a growing food manufacturing business based in Suffolk who are looking to appoint an experienced Production Planner to support operations across manufacturing and supply chain on an initial 2-month contract. This is an excellent opportunity for a highly organised planner who thrives in a fast-paced FMCG environment and can bring structure and planning expertise into a business currently operating without an ERP system.

The Profile The successful Production Planner will have proven experience within food manufacturing or FMCG and be confident translating sales forecasts and customer demand into practical production plans. You will be an advanced Excel user, capable of managing planning, stock control and reporting through spreadsheets and manual systems, while also bringing previous experience of working with ERP systems in previous roles.

This experience will be highly beneficial as the business continues to develop and improve its planning processes. You will also have:
· Previous experience in production planning within food manufacturing or FMCG
· Strong knowledge of supply chain, stock management and logistics
· Advanced Excel skills including formulas, lookups, pivot tables and reporting
· Previous experience using ERP/MRP systems
· Strong communication and organisational skills
· Ability to work independently and manage changing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

The Role As Production Planner, you will be responsible for supporting production and supply chain activities to ensure efficient manufacturing and product availability.

Key responsibilities include:

· Creating and maintaining production plans based on sales forecasts and customer demand
· Managing stock levels and raw material availability to support manufacturing
· Using Excel-based planning tools to monitor production schedules and inventory
· Working closely with purchasing, production and warehouse teams to ensure smooth operations
· Monitoring supply risks, shortages and production issues and escalating where required
· Supporting supplier coordination and delivery performance
· Maintaining accurate planning and stock data
· Identifying opportunities for process improvements and continuous improvement initiatives
· Supporting future planning system and ERP development projects where required This role would suit a hands-on Production Planner who is confident working within a business that currently relies heavily on Excel-based planning systems while bringing previous ERP knowledge and best practice experience.