INSPIRED pet nutrition
Production and Raw Materials Planning Manager
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Thirsk (UK) | Permanent | Full-time | Site-based
This isn't just a planning role, it's about ensuring the right products, materials, and resources are in the right place at the right time to deliver outstanding service, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth.
We're recruiting for a Production and Raw Materials Planning Manager to join our Logistics team.
Role Purpose
Reporting into the Supply Chain function, the Production and Raw Materials Planning Manager leads the planning team responsible for translating demand forecasts into achievable production schedules, raw material plans, and resource requirements. Working closely with Commercial, Operations, Procurement and Supply Chain teams, you'll balance customer service, inventory levels, manufacturing capacity, and operational cost efficiency while ensuring the site has the materials and plans required to meet both customer and business targets.
About You
You'll be a great fit if you enjoy solving complex planning challenges, making data-driven decisions, and working collaboratively across multiple functions.
You'll thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, combining strong analytical capability with people leadership skills to ensure supply chain performance, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency are delivered consistently.
Most importantly, you'll be someone who enjoys building strong relationships, driving continuous improvement, and developing high-performing teams.
Key Accountabilities
- Lead the planning team to convert sales forecasts into achievable production, material, procurement, and labour plans.
- Ensure the optimal balance between customer service, stock levels, manufacturing capacity, and operational cost efficiency.
- Develop and maintain accurate production schedules and raw material plans to support operational performance.
- Provide leadership, coaching, and development to the planning team, creating a safe, engaged, and high-performing environment.
- Support budget creation and manage expenditure to deliver business effectiveness and cost efficiency.
- Partner with Commercial and Supply Chain teams to build accurate demand forecasts and effective sales and operational plans.
- Contribute to S&OP and other cross-functional business forums to support successful planning and decision-making.
- Manage inbound material schedules and ensure continuity of supply to support manufacturing operations.
- Work closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve planning challenges and optimise performance.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across planning processes, inventory management, and operational performance.
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What We Are Looking For
- Broad supply chain knowledge developed through previous planning or supply chain management experience.
- Experience managing production planning, material planning, inventory management, or supply planning activities within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong understanding of sales order processing, forecasting, and distribution planning principles.
- Proven experience working with a broad supplier base and managing material availability.
- Experience balancing customer service requirements with operational constraints and business priorities.
- Strong financial awareness, including budget management and cost control.
- Demonstrated capability to lead, develop, and motivate teams.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a proactive approach to continuous improvement.
- Comfortable operating in a dynamic manufacturing environment where priorities can change quickly.
Our Total Reward Benefits
- Personal and company performance related bonus
- 15% Enhanced pension, life assurance, and enhanced maternity, paternity, sick pay, and holiday buy options
- People and Pets First benefits, including paw-reavement and paw-ternity leave and bring your dog to work
- Healthcare cashback plan and Hertility at-home fertility testing and Private Medical Insurance
- Heavily discounted pet food and lifestyle benefits (Netflix, Spotify, or breakdown cover)
- Retail and gym discounts, electric car scheme, and free onsite parking and electric car charging
- Onsite canteen, free hot drinks, and modern facilities
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About us
INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is an innovative, well-established, and award-winning pet food manufacturer employing over 1,200 colleagues across the UK and Europe. Our family of brands includes Harringtons, Wagg, Barking Heads & Meowing Heads, AATU, Blink, Butcher's, Classic, Pro-Nutrition, and Ultra Premium Direct, along with a number of partner brands that trust us to produce food on their behalf. Our kitchens in Thirsk, Kinmel, and Crick produce a wide range of dry, wet, and baked foods enjoyed by dogs and cats all over the world. Our ambition is simple: to become a global leader in pet nutrition.
Our Purpose: To create happiness
We’re on a mission to set a new standard of workplace happiness within the pet nutrition industry - one that looks like no other and feels like no other. Our culture is built on INSPIRED’s unique behaviours and colleague experience, creating an environment that excites, empowers, and puts people and pets at the heart of everything we do.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the colleagues and communities we serve. We believe everyone should feel valued, respected and able to be themselves at work. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We make hiring decisions based on talent, potential and the experience you bring.
We are also committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace, ensuring equitable access and opportunity for all. If you need any adjustments or support to take part in our recruitment process, please let us know by emailing recruitment@ipn.co.uk.
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