Planning Manager

Location: Redruth, Cornwall Department: Manufacturing / Supply Chain Pilgrim's Europe is looking for an experienced Planning Manager to join our Redruth site. This is a key leadership role responsible for driving production planning, scheduling, and material call-off activities across a busy food manufacturing operation.

You'll lead the planning team to ensure outstanding customer service, optimum inventory levels, efficient labour utilisation, and maximum manufacturing performance. Working closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Technical, Engineering, and Customer teams, you'll play a vital role in translating customer demand into robust production plans while driving Operational Excellence across the site.

Key Responsibilities Lead, coach, and develop the Planning team, including Production Planners, Schedulers, and Material Call-Off colleagues. Build and implement a planning strategy aligned to site and supply chain objectives.

Create a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and operational excellence. Drive engagement, capability development, and succession planning within the team. Ensure production plans, schedules, and material orders support customer service and operational targets.

Manage inventory levels to optimise working capital while maintaining service levels. Drive material availability and minimise production disruption. Optimise labour planning to maximise efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs.

Identify bottlenecks, constraints, and improvement opportunities across the manufacturing process. Manage supplier relationships alongside Procurement teams to ensure supply continuity. Deliver key site planning KPIs, including: Customer Service Level Planning Accuracy Material Availability Stock Accuracy Inventory Days Cover Obsolete Stock Management Use data analysis and reporting to identify trends and drive improvements.

Establish and maintain planning standards, processes, and master data integrity. Implement Operational Excellence (OPEX) tools and problem-solving methodologies. Support wider site improvement projects and business initiatives.

About You Essential Planning, Supply Chain, Scheduling, or Materials Management experience within a food manufacturing or FMCG environment. Strong experience managing production planning and inventory control processes. Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with large data sets.

Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills. Experience influencing cross-functional teams and managing competing priorities. Leadership experience with a track record of coaching and developing teams.

Desirable Experience with OPEX, Lean Manufacturing, or Continuous Improvement methodologies. Understanding of food manufacturing processes. Degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, Science, or a related discipline.

IOSH, HACCP Level 3, or Food Safety qualifications. Why Join Pilgrim's Europe? Competitive salary and benefits package. Opportunity to lead a critical function within the site. Exposure to strategic supply chain and operational decision-making.

Ongoing development and career progression opportunities. Join one of Europe's leading food manufacturing businesses. If you're a driven planning professional with experience in food manufacturing, production planning, and supply chain leadership, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and join Pilgrim's Europe as our next Planning Manager in Redruth.

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