Production Planner (6 months FTC)

Production Planner (6 months FTC)

Join Our Team at The Compleat Food Group!

We’re excited to offer an excellent opportunity for a Production Planner to join our dedicated Supply Chain team in Market Drayton on a 6-month fixed-term contract.

About The Compleat Food Group

At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to create Food to Feel Good – great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat.

We’re home to some of the UK’s most exciting and loved food brands, including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, and Harvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio, we’re a leading supplier of delicious own-label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added-value egg products, continental meats, dips and sauces and plant-based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice.

With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape the future of food for the better.

We are backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners.

Working Hours: 4 on 4 off: 6am – 6pm

Location: Market Drayton

Contract duration: 6 months

Salary: £33,000–£35,000 per annum (pro rata for the contract duration)

Job Purpose:

Produce efficient production plans to allow the Factory Managers to review for labour requirements, maintain service levels against measured KPI targets. Daily review of forward plans and commercial communication of risk to service.  

Key Duties, Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

Safety, Health & Environment:

•   To comply with H&S policy within the department and on site 

•   To complete “Good catches” and pass them to department manager for close out.     

•   Ensures all Health & Safety outstanding actions have been centrally logged and cleared within a reasonable timeframe.  

Scope/Context:

Palethorpes bakery manufactures both PF brand and private label products. This production is short shelf life chilled.  There is a high dependency on manufacturing to estimated scales demand, the jobholder has a key role to play in managing this. The timescales are short to medium terms (days to 12 months) 

Sales turnover: £70m per annum 

No SKU’s:  95 approx. 

Direct reports:  0 

Key accountabilities:

•   To ensure that the appropriate qualities of product are planned to provide stock to cover forecast demand. 

•   To ensure that appropriate quantities of raw materials and w.i.p. are planned to achieved level of production. 

•   To minimize wastage of finished products 

•   To advise the business of any potential capacity shortfalls to the weekly forecast and of the impact of any failures to meet planned production. 

•   To ensure that all daily management information reports are generated accurately and on time. 

•   Liaise with commercial manager to develop plans to satisfy future forecast demand and advise the business of actions required. (Risks and opportunities) 

•   To ensure that production schedules are produced (on time) which can be met in the most efficient manner, thereby minimising material wastage and maximising both labour and plant utilisation. 

•   To develop scheduling techniques to meet the challenging needs of the business, including development and maintenance of systems, which provide data to support scheduling tools. 

•   To ensure that all training is carried out in line with managers expectations.

•   To ensure that all internal and external communication is carried out in a professional manner. 

•   To liaise with NPD and commercial teams on promotions, launches and delists. 

•   To liaise with customers and customer support to ensure the flow of accurate and timely information regarding potential/actual supply issues.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

•   Produce Efficient timely production plans in line with business needs 

•   Health & Safety / Food Safety & Quality knowledge 

•   Flexibility, positivity, and resilience 

•   Continuous improvement methodologies 

•   Delivering KPIs in a fast-paced environment 

•   Good communication skills, English and maths 

•   PC skills 

Essential

•   Experience in planning technics 

•   Proven experience in planning (preferably short life chilled environment) 

•   Highly numerate. 

•   Good verbal and written communication skills. 

•   Good Excel knowledge  

•   Problem solving skills

•   Team working   

Desirable

•   ERP system fluency 

•   Rounded manufacturing experience (preferably in short shelf-life products) 

•   People management skills. 

Personal attributes/competencies required

•   Organised 

•   Good communicator 

•   Pro-active

Why Join Us?

At The Compleat Food Group, we believe our people are the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing and career growth:

Financial & Lifestyle Benefits:

• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
• Annual leave with an option to purchase extra days
• Holiday Discounts via our online retail platform
• Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
• Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand
• EV charging points – available at selected sites

Health & Wellbeing:

• 24/7 access to Grocery Aid for free financial, emotional, and practical support
• Physical Wellbeing Hub – free on-demand exercise classes, gym discounts
• Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes
• Online wellbeing support – from mindfulness to lifestyle resources
• Financial wellbeing tools – including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid

Career Growth & Development:

• Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS)
• Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role
• Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations
• Company Mentoring Scheme  to add depth and really support your career journey
• Recognition through Club Compleat rewards

Community & Culture:

• 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you
• Charity initiatives and fundraising events
• Team socials to connect and celebrate together
• Employee networks & support groups – including Women @ Compleat
• New baby gift for new parents

The Compleat Food Group fosters an inclusive, respectful culture where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. We welcome diverse talent, knowing it drives exceptional results and a better workplace.

We are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect, we ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves to work. As an equal opportunity’s employer, we provide all the support you need to succeed.

Contact us with any questions about Diversity & Inclusion or accessibility during the application process.

Recruitment Agencies: 

We have a small, active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions. We only accept CV submissions for roles released to you directly by our Talent Acquisition team. 

If you would be interested in working with us please send a message to recruitment@compleatfood.com  and should we have any roles we need additional support with we will reach out to you.