Overview of role
📍 Location: Maidenhead
🏠 Place of Work: Flexible as home-based
💰 Salary: Circa £70,000 per year, with flexibility for the right candidate
⏳ Hours: 5 days per week, including 1 weekend in 6 (with time in lieu).
Weekend cover may occasionally include bank holidays, which are shared on a rotating basis across the team — time off in lieu will be provided.
Are you ready to step into a senior leadership role where your strategic thinking and planning capabilities will directly shape operations on a national scale? At Allied Bakeries, we’re looking for a forward-thinking, collaborative Business Planning Manager to join our central operations team. Acting as Deputy to the Head of Planning and an important member of the Operations Leadership Team, this role gives you high-level exposure and the opportunity to influence real change across the business.
Your Role
This role extends beyond traditional planning tasks — it presents a chance to optimise processes and contribute significantly at a national scale.
🔹 Lead & Influence: Support national strategy execution across customer demand, production scheduling, IBT, and
equipment management.
🔹 Plan & Optimise: Oversee production planning to enhance efficiency and minimise end-to-end costs.
🔹 Strategic Collaboration: Work closely with senior stakeholders across Commercial, Finance, Operations, and
Site Planning.
🔹 Rapid Response: Adapt quickly to operational disruptions, managing overhauls and equipment planning effectively.
🔹 Drive Innovation: Play a key role in implementing a new planning system to support future growth.
🔹 Own the Numbers: Maintain accuracy in forecasting, cost management, and budget alignment.
✅ What You Bring
✔ Extensive Planning Expertise: Proven experience in a fast-paced FMCG environment — ideally in fresh supply chains.
✔ Systems Savvy: Knowledge of the latest planning platforms, with experience in implementation.
✔ Analytical Mindset: Strong with data and confident using insights to drive decisions.
✔ Leadership Confidence: Ability to guide teams and influence across the business.
✔ Operational Flexibility: Able to work 1 weekend in 6 (with lieu time).
Wy Join Us?
Allied Bakeries is proud to offer a range of benefits that make this a truly rewarding place to work:
🌟 Senior Role & Clear Progression: Shape national strategy today — and be developed for tomorrow.
📈 Career Development: Ongoing leadership training, mentoring and cross-functional exposure.
🚗 Car Allowance: Supporting your mobility and flexibility.
🎯 Annual Bonus Scheme: Rewarding your contribution and results.
🌴 33 Days Annual Leave: To recharge and unwind.
Family-Friendly & Flexible Working: We support work-life balance.
🛍 Retail Discounts: Save at Tesco, M&S, Currys and more.
🚲 Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme: Sustainable travel options.
🏥 Private Health Care + 🧠 Employee Assistance Programme
💼 Up to 10% Employer Pension Contribution
❤️ Charitable Giving: Payroll donations to Save the Children
🌟 Holiday Purchase Scheme: Buy extra leave when needed