Demand Planner

Production & Demand Planner Vacancy (URGENT) • Location: Buckinghamshire • Job Type: Permanent • Salary: £45k - £50k per annum We are seeking an experienced Production & Demand Planner to take ownership of production planning, demand forecasting, and inventory control within a growing manufacturing business. This pivotal role will bring structure, visibility, and control to a planning function that is currently managed through spreadsheets and informal processes. Day-to-day of the role: • Demand Planning & Forecasting: Develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts using sales history, customer requirements, and business trends. Work closely with Sales and Commercial teams to understand future demand and promotional activity. • Production Planning: Create and maintain production schedules to ensure customer orders are delivered on time. Balance demand against available production capacity and prioritise production activities. • Inventory & Material Planning: Monitor stock levels and ensure materials are available to support production requirements. Identify potential shortages and implement mitigation plans. • Capacity Planning: Analyse production capacity and resource availability. Identify bottlenecks and work with operational teams to maximise efficiency. • Stakeholder Management: Act as the central point of coordination between Sales, Production, Purchasing, and Senior Leadership. Facilitate regular planning meetings and communicate priorities clearly. • Process Improvement: Design and implement robust planning processes and reporting. Develop meaningful KPIs and planning metrics to drive continuous improvement across the planning function. Required Skills & Qualifications: • Previous experience within a Production Planning, Demand Planning, or Supply Chain Planning role, preferably in a manufacturing environment. • Strong understanding of forecasting, capacity planning, and inventory management. • Advanced Excel skills and the ability to analyse data to make informed planning decisions. • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience working across multiple departments to drive operational performance. • Desirable: FMCG, Food Manufacturing, Packaging, or Process Manufacturing experience. ERP/MRP system experience and S&OP exposure. Apply now if interested!