Planning Manager – Milton Keynes

Planning Manager – New Chilled Food Production Facility
Location: Milton Keynes
Sector: UK Chilled Food Industry

Are you an experienced Planning Manager ready to lead and optimise the planning processes in a newly repurposed fast-paced chilled food manufacturing environment? Join our team and grow your own career at an exciting new production facility in Milton Keynes and play a pivotal role in delivering exceptional results while driving efficiency and innovation.

The Opportunity

As a Planning Manager, you will oversee our planning team (planners and raw materials), ensuring manufacturing processes are scheduled in the most cost-effective way while meeting production targets on time. Working at the heart of our supply chain operations, you will lead a team of Production Planners and Material Controllers to meet customer demand, predict future capacity, and deliver best-in-class service.

This is your chance to take ownership of a new planning function, foster process improvements, and drive a culture of excellence in a new and innovative facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Optimise Planning Processes: Ensure production schedules account for capacity, materials, labour, equipment availability, and efficiency, while maximising cost-effectiveness.
• Forecasting & Capacity Planning: Analyse long-term sales forecasts and collaborate with the Commercial team to anticipate future capacity requirements and material usage.
• Troubleshoot & Problem-Solve: Quickly address issues affecting delivery plans, including machinery malfunctions, order uplifts, and other disruptions.
• Seasonal Management: Coordinate seasonal freeze plans to maintain service levels during peak demand periods.
• KPI Management: Monitor key performance indicators, analyse data, and implement continuous improvements to meet business goals.
• Team Leadership: Motivate, coach, and develop your team, identifying talent, setting clear objectives, and fostering a high-performance culture.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Build strong relationships across departments to ensure seamless operations and aligned objectives.
• Systems & Tools: Maintain and enhance planning systems and tools to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
• Food Safety & Quality Culture: Work with the site leadership team to uphold the highest standards of integrity, food safety, and quality.
• Leadership Support: Act as the deputy for the Supply Chain Manager during absences or annual leave.

Who We’re Looking For:

Experience:

• 3–5 years in Production Planning within chilled food manufacturing.
• Proven experience leading a team in an FMCG environment, ideally in chilled food.

Key Skills:

• Proficiency in Excel and ERP systems.
• Exceptional problem-solving and organisational abilities.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills to motivate and drive team performance.
• A solid understanding of planning processes and key performance metrics to drive continuous improvement.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
• A full UK Driving Licence.

Why Join Us?

• Exciting New Facility: Be a part of building a high-performing planning team at a cutting-edge production site.
• Career Development: Enjoy opportunities to develop your leadership skills and make a real impact.
• Collaborative Culture: Work with a passionate, dynamic team that values innovation and continuous improvement.
• Fast-Paced Environment: Thrive in a high-energy FMCG business with opportunities to grow and lead.
• Flexibility: Once settled into the role, there will be some flexibility to work from home.

Benefits:

• 33 Days annual leave
• 2 Employee Volunteering Days per year
• Online and High-street retailer discount scheme 
• Employee well-being and community support groups
• Informal and Formal training opportunities with personalised online LMS platform
• Charity Initiatives and Team events
• 24/7 Access to Grocery Aid (Free Financial, Emotional and Practical Support)
• Physical Wellbeing Benefits – Free on demand exercise hub and various gym discounts.
• Online Wellbeing benefits
• Free Financial wellbeing – mortgage calculators, budget tools, financial aid tools
• Holiday Discounts via Online Retail Discount

Ready to Lead the Way?

If you’re an experienced Senior Planner looking for your next career step or a seasoned Planning Manager with a passion for excellence and the drive to succeed in the dynamic chilled food sector, we want to hear from you! Submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you’re excited about this opportunity. Take the next step in your career and help us deliver excellence, one plan at a time!

The Compleat Food Group are proud to have built an inclusive and respectful culture where our colleagues feel safe, supported and valued. A place where they can bring their whole selves to work to achieve exceptional results and thrive.

We continue to attract diverse talent into our teams, because we know greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life. That’s why we’re committed to ensuring Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect in all that we do.
Recruitment Agencies: We have an active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies.