Planning Manager, Planning Manager

Are you a planning professional who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment? Do you enjoy solving problems, leading teams, and ensuring everything runs like clockwork?

At Pilgrim's Europe, we're looking for a Planning Manager to lead our production planning, scheduling, and material call-off activities, ensuring we deliver outstanding service to our customers while driving efficiency, continuous improvement, and operational excellence across the site.

This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a critical supply chain function and make a genuine impact on site performance.

• Leading and developing the Planning team to deliver business and customer service objectives.
• Creating and managing production plans and schedules to maximise efficiency and meet customer demand.
• Managing material availability and inventory levels to ensure smooth manufacturing operations.
• Working closely with Operations, Technical, Engineering, Procurement, and customer supply chain teams to optimise performance.
• Identifying risks, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement across the supply chain.
• Driving Operational Excellence (OPEX) and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Using data and analysis to support decision-making and improve planning effectiveness.
• Developing team capability through coaching, training, and leadership.

• Experience in production planning, scheduling, or supply chain management within a manufacturing environment
• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Experience working with planning and material management systems
• FMCG or food manufacturing experience
• Knowledge of Operational Excellence (OPEX), Lean, or Continuous Improvement methodologies
• Understanding of end-to-end supply chain operations

• Intermediate Food Safety Qualification
• Level 3 HACCP Qualification
• IOSH Managing Safely qualification (or equivalent experience)

• Degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, Science, or a related discipline

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Genuine career progression opportunities within a growing international business
• Ongoing training and development to support your career goals
• Collaborative and supportive working environment
• Opportunities to lead improvement projects and influence site performance
• Be part of one of Europe's leading food manufacturers supplying major retailers and customers
• Work in a business committed to continuous improvement, innovation, and people development

This is more than a planning role. It's an opportunity to lead a key function, shape operational performance, and develop a high-performing team within one of Europe's largest food businesses.

If you're passionate about planning, thrive on solving complex challenges, and want to play a pivotal role in delivering excellence every day, we'd love to hear from you.