Westfalia Fruit
Senior Planner
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Senior Planner
The Senior Planner is responsible for coordinating and executing ripening and production planning activities to ensure customer demand is fulfilled efficiently, safely, and in line with operational capacity. Working closely with the Planning Manager, the role supports the delivery of accurate short- and medium-term plans, balancing customer requirements, stock availability, ripening capacity, labour, and operational constraints.
The Senior Planner plays a key role in driving service performance, maintaining planning accuracy, and supporting continuous improvement across the planning function. The role acts as a link between Planning, Operations, Demand & Supply, Logistics, Quality, and Commercial teams to ensure plans are achievable, communicated effectively, and aligned to business priorities.
PSQCD Responsibilities
People
- Support the Planning Manager in mentoring and guiding Ripening Planners and Production Schedulers.
- Promote collaborative working across Operations, Procurement, Technical, Logistics, and Commercial teams.
- Assist in training and onboarding new team members on planning processes and systems.
- Encourage a continuous improvement mindset within the planning team.
- Provide planning support and leadership during periods of operational pressure or escalation.
Safety
- Ensure all plans are achievable and support safe operational practices.
- Consider labour, equipment, and facility constraints when creating plans.
- Escalate any risks where operational requirements may impact safe working conditions.
- Support adherence to site health and safety procedures through effective planning practices.
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Quality
- Ensure ripening and production plans protect product quality and customer specifications.
- Maintain accurate system data and planning records to ensure traceability and compliance.
- Work closely with Technical and Operations teams to minimise quality risks linked to planning decisions.
- Support stock rotation and product age management to reduce waste and quality concerns.
Cost
- Support efficient utilisation of ripening rooms, labour, and operational resources.
- Minimise waste, rework, overtime, and unnecessary cost through accurate planning.
- Monitor planning adherence and identify opportunities to improve efficiency.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on planning optimisation and cost reduction.
Delivery
- Create and maintain daily and weekly ripening and production plans aligned to customer demand forecasts and operational capability.
- Balance inbound supply, stock availability, ripening capacity, and customer priorities to ensure service delivery.
- Communicate planning changes, risks, and recovery actions clearly to stakeholders.
- Support the execution of S&OE and S&OP processes through accurate planning inputs and reporting.
- Monitor service performance, stock positions, and capacity utilisation, escalating risks proactively.
- Work closely with Logistics and Operations teams to support OTIF performance and customer service levels.
- Ensure planning parameters and system settings are maintained accurately.
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Requirements
- Experience within Supply Chain, Production Planning, Demand Planning, or Logistics Planning.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Experience working within FMCG, fresh produce, food manufacturing, or a fast-paced operational environment.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience using ERP/MRP or planning systems.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel capability.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage changing priorities.
Desirable
- Experience within ripening, fresh produce, or temperature-controlled supply chains.
- Knowledge of S&OE and S&OP processes.
- Experience in capacity planning and stock management.
- Continuous improvement experience or qualifications.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday
- Additional Annual leave day on your Birthday
- Free on-site parking
- Company pension plan
- Medicash plan
- Life Insurance
- Salary - £45,000 per annum
Please note that this position does not have a specific closing date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and the advert may be removed at any time.
We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, or veteran, neurodiversity or disability status.
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