Production Planner

Title: Production Planner

Full time: 40-hour week Monday to Friday with 30-minute unpaid lunch break

(May includes some weekend work)

Salary - Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

Reports to: Technical & Production Manager

Direct report: None

About Us

Cleone Foods Ltd is a leading UK food manufacturer, specialising in high-quality Jamaican patties and frozen Caribbean food products under our flagship Island Delight brand. With over 30 years of heritage, we have built a strong reputation for producing authentic, flavourful, and innovative food products enjoyed by customers nationwide.

Our team-driven culture values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. At Cleone Foods, we combine traditional recipes with modern production techniques, ensuring every product meets rigorous quality standards.

We are committed to sustainability, maintaining high food safety standards, and delivering exceptional service to our customers. Joining Cleone Foods means becoming part of a passionate team where your contribution is valued, your career growth is encouraged, and you are supported in a safe, inclusive, and rewarding work environment.

Summary of Role

Responsible for developing and maintaining production and material plans that balance customer service with cost efficiency. This includes creating achievable schedules aligned with demand forecasts, ensuring optimal resource use, and timely order fulfilment.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate across purchasing, production, inventory, and sales to minimise waste and downtime.
• Manage risks, adjust orders where practical, and share forecasts with suppliers to resolve material availability issues.
• Monitor and report obsolete or excess stock, and maintain clear communication with production and accounts teams.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and maintain audit-readiness at all times.
• Source supplies, negotiate with suppliers, and ensure timely delivery of products/services to required standards.
• Interpret reports and forecast future sales trends.
• Liaise with customers and manage the customer portal to communicate order status, delays, and stock levels at distribution centres.

Production Scheduling & Inventory Management

• Develop and maintain short-term and long-term production schedules based on sales forecasts, inventory levels, and customer orders.
• Create and monitor weekly/daily manufacturing plans to meet sales volume demands.
• Participate in daily and weekly planning meetings to ensure alignment across departments.
• Manage and minimise waste of all stock (raw materials and finished goods).
• Conduct daily stock audits and analyse inventory across storage warehouses.
• Complete documentation for distribution centres, including chilled and frozen products.

Performance & KPI Management

• Ensure consistent achievement of order fill and waste KPIs.
• Gather data on relevant attributes and develop continuous improvement plans.
• Communicate effectively with suppliers to order raw materials and packaging stock in line with production needs.
• Negotiate cost and service terms with suppliers in collaboration with the technical/production manager.
• Share forecasts and resolve material availability issues with suppliers.

Relationship Management

• Liaise with internal and external transport and distribution departments to maintain customer service levels.
• Resolve discrepancies or issues reported by distribution centre staff.
• Manage the customer portal to ensure clear communication regarding orders, delays, and stock levels.
• Work closely with Production, Quality Assurance, Warehouse, Sales, and Technical departments to ensure smooth workflow.
• Support new line formations requested by customers.

Previous Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 1 year experience in a planning role environment ideally within Fast Moving Consumer Goods
• Experience ordering materials and of managing inventory
• Experience liaising with customer and suppliers.
• Proven track record in planning and forecasting
• Experience working with Sage and EDI systems
• Experience in monitoring stock levels to fulfil orders and minimise waste
• Proven track record of organisational, planning and forecasting experience

Desirable

• Knowledge of supply chain within the food industry

· Knowledge of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point / food safety

• Worked with temperature control food products with short and long shelf life
• Knowledge of supply chain within the food industry
• Experience creating daily / weekly production plans / schedules
• Experience record of experience in customer portals

What we offer??

At Cleone Foods, we believe in investing in our people. When you join us, you will benefit from:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
• 24 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
• Pension scheme contributions
• Life insurance
• Staff discounts on our Island Delight range
• Staff Tester Card – access exclusive discounts on food, clothing, cinema tickets, and popular retailers such as TK Maxx, McDonald's, and more
• Free on-site parking and EV charging
• Opportunities for learning, development, and career progression
• A supportive and inclusive working culture where contributions are valued
• Being part of a passionate, innovative team in a company with strong heritage and growth plans

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £30,000.00-£35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• Life insurance
• Transport links

Work Location: In person