Job Title: Planning & Procurement Manager
Salary: £40,000- 50,000 (DOE)
Reporting to: Operations Director
Direct Reports: Warehouse Supervisor and Warehouse Operative
Scope: Full accountability for the performance and efficiency of the end-to-end supply chain
Working Hours: 8:00am–5:00pm, with some flexibility required and occasional out-of-hours contact.
Travel: There may be occasional travel to supplier sites to support relationship management and ongoing collaboration.
Role Overview
This role takes ownership of the full supply chain, ensuring the seamless flow of materials, information, and finished goods. Covering procurement, production planning, supplier management, warehousing, and logistics, the position plays a key part in driving operational efficiency, cost control, and compliance.
This is a predominantly office-based position with a daily presence required on the production floor, ensuring close alignment with operational activity and real-time decision making.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement & Sourcing
- Develop and implement sourcing strategies across raw materials, packaging, and indirect spend, balancing cost, quality, and innovation.
- Build and manage supplier relationships, setting clear expectations and reviewing performance against agreed service, quality, and delivery measures.
- Maintain and negotiate supplier agreements to ensure commercial competitiveness and alignment with business needs.
- Identify supply risks and implement mitigation strategies through regular review of key materials and suppliers.
- Collaborate with technical and quality teams to uphold food safety, traceability, and ethical sourcing standards.
- Lead pricing negotiations and respond proactively to market changes, providing recommendations to senior stakeholders.
- Monitor spend and market trends to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve overall value.
- Drive continuous improvement within procurement processes, leveraging systems and data for efficiency gains.
- Support product development initiatives through sourcing of new ingredients and materials.
Planning & Operations
- Develop and manage production schedules across daily, weekly, and longer-term horizons to meet customer demand efficiently.
- Work cross-functionally with sales, production, and warehouse teams to ensure alignment and optimise output.
- Oversee raw material availability and inventory levels, setting appropriate stock parameters to balance service levels and storage constraints.
- Assess production capacity, identifying constraints and supporting forward planning.
- Lead improvements in planning processes to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and responsiveness.
- Utilise ERP systems and data analysis to strengthen planning performance and decision-making.
Warehousing & Logistics
- Provide leadership and direction to the warehouse team, supporting day-to-day operations and development.
- Coordinate inbound deliveries to ensure smooth and efficient warehouse activity.
- Ensure stock is managed in line with FIFO principles, proactively addressing any short shelf-life risks.
- Maintain stock accuracy through regular cycle counts and reconciliation processes.
- Oversee logistics and transport coordination to achieve strong on-time, in-full delivery performance.
Health & Safety
Champion a positive health and safety culture, ensuring compliance with policies, proactively identifying risks, and taking appropriate corrective action when needed.
Skills & Experience
- Experience within supply chain, procurement, or planning in an FMCG environment, ideally within food or beverage manufacturing.
- Proven ability to manage and develop teams in a fast-paced operational setting.
- Strong understanding of food production processes, quality standards, and supply chain dynamics.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
- Strong commercial awareness, with well-developed analytical and negotiation skills.
- Confident using systems and data to support decision-making and drive improvements.
- Effective problem-solving skills, with the ability to adapt quickly in a dynamic environment.