The Role
We are seeking an organised and proactive Production Planner to join our operations team. This role plays a key part in coordinating production, transport, and supply activities to ensure product is delivered efficiently, on time, and to customer specifications. The position requires close collaboration with farms, third-party transport providers, and internal operational teams, particularly during peak harvest periods. Coordinates manufacturing workflows by creating daily schedules, managing materials inventory (FGs, RM, Packaging, Baskets and Boxes), and allocating resources (labour and equipment) to meet demand efficiently. Ensuring timely product delivery while optimising costs using suppliers' portals to forecast needs, tracking packhouse progress, and resolve bottlenecks or quality issues across departments like procurement, production, and transport.
Key Responsibilities
· Resource Planning - Estimate and secure necessary raw materials, equipment, and labour, coordinating with procurement and warehouse teams.
· Workflow Optimisation - Analyse and improve production processes, identify bottlenecks, and implement solutions to reduce costs and enhance quality.
· Analyse data to predict future material and production needs.
· Develop and manage daily and weekly production plans aligned to customer demand and harvest availability
· Plan and coordinate transport with third-party hauliers for:
o Raw material and packaging deliveries
o Despatch of finished product
o Inter-site and plant deliveries
· Liaise directly with farms and growers to coordinate picking activity and align harvest schedules with production plans
· Coordination & Communication - Collaborate with management, commercial, quality control, and production staff, informing teams of schedule changes and production status.
· Monitor production progress and adjust plans to minimise downtime, waste, and delays
· System Management: Utilise WMS software to manage data, track inventory, and maintain capacity information.
· Work closely with operations, quality, and logistics teams to ensure smooth day-to-day execution
· Participate in site audits and support compliance with food safety, quality, and workplace health & safety standards
· Analyse data and prepare reports on production performance, variances, and KPIs
· Provide hands-on operational support when required to assist the broader team during peak periods or unexpected disruptions
About You
· Experience in production planning, scheduling, or supply chain coordination (food manufacturing or fresh produce highly regarded)
· Strong understanding of transport planning and working with third-party hauliers
· Comfortable liaising with farms, growers, and multiple stakeholders
· Strong organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
· Proficient in ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Excel
· Flexible, team-oriented, and willing to support operations when needed
· Able to work effectively with trends of high and low production peaks in seasonal environment
· Willingness to participate in an on-call roster to support production and transport activities outside standard hours
· Availability to work weekends, particularly during peak harvest and high-demand periods
· Flexibility to adjust working hours during harvest to align with farm picking schedules, production requirements, and customer delivery timelines
What We Offer
· A stable, full-time role with a respected and growing fresh produce business
· A collaborative, hands-on team culture
· Exposure across production, transport, and grower operations
· Competitive salary package based on experience
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: From £30,000.00 per year
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Stafford ST18 9DH: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- What is your competency Microsoft excel?
- Are you flexible to work more than 5 days a week when required?
- Are you flexible to work any day of the week without time restriction?
- Do you hold a valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle to reliably travel to ST18 9DH?
- Are you legally authorised to work in the UK without restriction?
Experience:
- production planner: 3 years (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
