Planning Manager

Specific responsibilities: · Comply with all Health & Safety Policies and instructions and actively contribute to Company efforts to promote safe behaviour and safe systems of work · Develop, maintain and review the Production Schedules to meet customer's orders, provide short- and long-term forecasts to ensure on-time delivery, considering order volume, product specifications, equipment availability; · Monitor and manage the flow of jobs through various production stages, adjusting as necessary to optimise efficiency and minimise bottlenecks; · Lead the departmental continuous improvement projects, identify opportunities for process improvements and cost-saving initiatives within the planning function; · Ensure that production plans adhere to quality standards and regulatory requirements, working closely with the Quality Assurance team; · Analyse production data and performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of production plans and make data driven decisions; · Lead the Planning process ensuring a collaborative approach is adopted to align production plans with sales forecasts and the overall business goals; · Maintain effective communication channels with various departments, including sales, customer service and production, to ensure a seamless production process; · Develop and maintain KPIs for Planning department with a view to meeting or exceeding annual objectives; · Continuously apply Lean Production techniques like, Planning Wheels, RRS approach/analysis and PQPR · Encourage development of talent through mentoring, coaching, engagement and empowerment of colleagues and reports; · Any other tasks commensurate with the level of the position. Health, Safety and Environmental Responsibilities · Be familiar with the Health and Safety Policy and to implement it always. · Develop a concern for Health & safety personally and for others, particularly new employees, contractors and visitors. · Avoid improvising. · Suggest ways of eliminating hazards. · Co-operate with the Company in maintaining a safe working environment and make your contribution to reducing accidents. · Take care of Company property entrusted to you, refrain from horseplay, the abuse of welfare facilities and the misuse of equipment. · Operate only items of equipment for which you have been trained, deemed competent and authorised to use. · Report to your Line Manager any defects in equipment. Ensure that equipment is in a safe and secure state when unattended. · Report any industrial injury, industrial disease, or any incidents which could result in personal injury or property damage, to your Manufacturing Manager. · Comply with any risk assessments and safe system of work which have been undertaken. · Obey company Health & Safety rules. · Set a personal example. All employees have a responsibility to co-operate and maintain the EMS. This responsibility includes the following: * Compliance with relevant environmental procedures and rules. * Ensuring that waste is maintained at an absolute minimum and disposed of into the correct bins. * Ensure that substances that may pose a threat to the environment are used with care and in accordance with the instructions and training delivered. * Make the most efficient and effective use of all resources. * Advise the Company of any shortfalls or oversights in its environmental arrangements. * Be pro-active in conserving energy i.e. switching machinery off when not in use. * Actively participate in improvement initiatives and the Environmental suggestion scheme. Key Skills, Knowledge & Competencies: Education · Proven experience in Production Planning / Multi-level planning experience preferably within manufacturing environment; · Previous experience working with KPI's and KPI reporting; · Excellent IT skills, proficient in MS Word, Excel, etc., with ability to create plans, collect and analyse figures for schedules and reports; · Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise a busy workload to meet deadlines; · Strong analytic and problem solving skills, close attention to detail and a methodical approach; · Have excellent organisational skills, interpersonal skills and good verbal and written communication skills; · Good understanding of manufacturing/FMCG processes with the ability to identify opportunities and constraints and implement process improvements; · Good knowledge of the Lean Manufacturing principles and practices is highly desirable; · Previous people management experience. · Previous SAP & MRP experience. Competencies * Ability to work independently and collaboratively with limited supervision. * Proven analytic thinking, results orientation and problem-solving skills. * Strong organisational skills in handling multiple responsibilities simultaneously with high attention to details and a high level of accuracy. * Ability to communicate with a wide range of contacts from corporate to manufacturing employees - both oral and written. * Drives a high performing culture and Continuous Improvement. * Adapts a flexible approach