Job Advert
Production Planner
About The Compleat Food Group
At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to be a food business built on purpose and passion. Formed in 2021, we’re on a mission to create Food to Feel Good – great quality, tasty and affordable food that people love to eat.
We’re home to some of the UK’s most exciting and loved food brands, including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Palace Culture, and Harvey & Brockless. Alongside our branded portfolio, we’re a leading supplier of delicious own‑label pastry, sweet bakery, party food, olives and antipasti, added‑value egg products, continental meats, dips and sauces and plant‑based food to the UK’s major retailers, as well as across foodservice.
With over 6,000 talented colleagues across 17 sites, and an annual turnover of £1.3 bn, we’re united by a shared ambition to shape the future of food for the better.
We are backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners.
Job Purpose
To plan site production for all frozen and chilled product sectors including savoury, ready meals, sweet bakery and cooks.
Location
Crewe, CW1 6XQ
Hours
Monday – Thursday: 8:30 am – 5 pm & Friday: 8:30 am – 4 pm
Salary
£37,000 per annum
Key Duties, Responsibilities & Accountabilities
* Ensure a safe working environment for all employees, visitors, and contractors, within the savoury, ready meals, and sweet bakery production facilities, by strict enforcement of Wrights Food Group health and safety (H&S) policy and by developing a proactive culture to reducing accidents.
* Working closely with Operations Team to ensure that planning strategies optimise production run lengths/SKU stock levels, whilst minimising our working capital exposure and constantly maintaining the minimum required customer service levels across all product sectors.
* Produce advanced detailed weekly production and cooking plan schedules for both factories, incorporating production line capacity, technical and customer specifications, food safety, allergen sequencing and hygiene policies.
* Facilitate appropriate data for weekly production plan sign off, ensuring all relevant stakeholders agree to production plan viability.
* Regular planning and production review, and adjustment where necessary. Troubleshooting potential impacts to inventory and service levels through issues such as materials shortages, staffing levels and machinery downtime, including notifying the commercial team in advance of any specific customer shortages.
* Work alongside the Raw Material and Replenishment Team to ensure that required amounts of raw materials and packaging are available on time and in full for every weekly production plan.
* Working closely with Commercial, NPD and EPD teams to ensure production plans are continually updated in line with forecasts, trials and product launches.
* Regularly liaise with the Warehouse, Logistics & Transport teams to ensure that the appropriate distribution arrangements are in place to deliver all required customer orders.
* Be fully up to date with all the latest operational KPI’s by line/SKU (eg % OEE waste etc) and ensure that they are taken fully into account when producing the weekly production plans.
* Attend daily operations meetings and report on service level, production performance and attainment to plan, together with associated actions to remedy any under/over performance.
Health, Safety & Environment Responsibilities
* Know Health & Safety responsibilities, the site rules, and bring to the attention to issues that could affect own, or others Health, Safety & Welfare.
* Work in a safe manner at all times.
* Fully comply with all signage, notices, warning labels etc.
* Bring to the attention of your manager any hazards or unsafe conditions that may lead to injury, ill health, or damage.
* Participate fully in all Health, Safety & Environmental training sessions, and Safety Briefings / Toolbox Talks.
* Not misuse or interfere with anything provided to ensure the safety of yourself and others.
* Ensure a good standard of housekeeping is maintained within the working environment to minimise the risk of injury to themselves or others.
* Correctly use and store the protective clothing and equipment provided.
* Report all injuries, near misses, and instances of ill health that occur to them at work and obtain the necessary First Aid Treatment.
* Help in the investigation of accidents in order to prevent recurrence.
* Set a good example of safe behaviour, particularly to new starters and young persons.
Food Safety & Quality Responsibilities
* Overall accountability for food safety & quality in department including dress code, good manufacturing practice, products produced to SOP, closing out non-conformances, improving quality, CAYG, HACCP, paperwork accuracy, allergen and speciation control.
* Ensures random locker searchers are completed.
* Ensures all equipment is calibrated and paperwork maintained.
* Demonstrate actions taken to proactively reduce complaints.
* Works in partnership with QA to investigate root cause of concessions/non-conformance and minimise / remove. Looks beyond "lack of resource".
Knowledge, Experience and Skills
* Proven experience of managing a complex production planning facility.
* Extensive knowledge of planning tools and creation and development of any tools utilised in the planning process.
* Proven ability to plan, organise and communicate.
* Extensive knowledge of ERP systems and their functionality.
* Ability to analyse and present operational KPI’s.
* Good level of numerical skills.
* High level of IT skills (e.g., word/excel/PowerPoint/outlook).
* Energy drive and determination to succeed.
* Ability to build strong working relationships external & internal colleagues.
* Proactive nature, willing to learn quickly and to take new challenges.
* Attention to detail.
* Good interpersonal and communication skills with internal and external contacts.
* Team working skills across disciplines and departments.
* Organisational skills.
* Responsible.
* Energetic and hands on.
* Self‑motivated with ability to motivate others.
* Ability to complete root cause analysis.
Why Join Us?
Financial & Lifestyle Benefits
* Salary Sacrifice Schemes – including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension.
* 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to purchase extra.
* Holiday Discounts via our online retail platform.
* Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store.
* Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand.
* EV charging points – available at selected sites.
Health & Wellbeing
* 24/7 access to Grocery Aid for free financial, emotional, and practical support.
* Physical Wellbeing Hub – free on‑demand exercise classes, gym discounts.
* Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes.
* Online wellbeing support – from mindfulness to lifestyle resources.
* Financial wellbeing tools – including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid.
Career Growth & Development
* Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS).
* Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role.
* Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations.
* Company Mentoring Scheme to add depth and really support your career journey.
* Recognition through Club Compleat rewards.
Community & Culture
* 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you.
* Charity initiatives and fundraising events.
* Team socials to connect and celebrate together.
* Employee networks & support groups – including Women @ Compleat.
* New baby gift for new parents.
The Compleat Food Group fosters an inclusive, respectful culture where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. We welcome diverse talent, knowing it drives exceptional results and a better workplace.
We are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect; we ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves to work. As an equal opportunity employer, we provide all the support you need to succeed.
Contact us with any questions about Diversity & Inclusion or accessibility during the application process.
Recruitment Agencies
We have a small, active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions. We only accept CV submissions for roles released to you directly by our Talent Acquisition team.
If you would be interested in working with us please send a message to recruitment@compleatfood.com.
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