Production & Materials Planner at apetito in United Kingdom

Overview
The Production and Materials Planner is responsible for delivering effective planning support across all areas of the Planning Department. The role encompasses both Production Planning and Materials Planning activities, ensuring the efficient coordination of manufacturing operations and the timely supply of materials required to meet business and customer demands.
The position is accountable for creating efficient and achievable production plans that align with customer requirements, available capacity, and operational priorities, while ensuring the timely availability of raw materials and packaging to support production schedules. The role supports the effective management of inventory, capacity utilisation, service levels, and overall operational performance through robust planning practices.
The Production and Materials Planner works collaboratively with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and production teams to balance demand and supply requirements, minimise disruption, and drive continuous improvement across the planning function.
The role also plays an important part in business improvement initiatives, transformation projects, and ERP system implementations, supporting the development of best-practice planning processes and contributing to planning excellence across the organisation.
This role is Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday based in Trowbridge. This is a 2 years fixed term contract.Competitive Salary + Bonus + Benefits
Who we are
apetito is the UK’s leading food supplier to the health and social care sectors serving more than 1,300 care homes, health care and education settings.
Our meals are expertly crafted by our dieticians and chefs, and then frozen to lock in the goodness.
Wiltshire Farm Foods, our sister company, is the UK’s largest ready meal supplier cooking and delivering over 330 different delicious frozen ready meals across the UK.
Responsibilities
Production Planning
Create, maintain, and communicate short, medium, and long-term production plans that balance customer demand, manufacturing capacity, labour availability, and inventory targets.
Ensure production schedules are achievable, efficient, and aligned with operational constraints.
Monitor stock availability and take proactive action to mitigate risks to customer supply.
Review demand changes and adjust production plans accordingly to maintain optimum stock availability and service levels.
Work closely with Manufacturing, Procurement, Technical, and Commercial teams to manage planning priorities and resolve issues.
Support daily, weekly, and monthly planning review processes.
Analyse production performance and recommend planning improvements to enhance efficiency and customer service.
Materials Planning
Generate and manage purchase requirements for raw materials, ingredients, and packaging components.
Ensure materials are available to support production plans while maintaining agreed inventory policies and stock cover targets.
Manage supplier lead times, minimum order quantities, and ordering constraints.
Identify and mitigate risks associated with material shortages, supplier performance, or demand fluctuations.
Monitor inventory levels and recommend actions to optimise stock holding, minimise waste, and improve working capital performance.
Collaborate with Procurement and suppliers to support continuity of supply and resolve material-related issues.
Maintain accurate planning parameters and material master data within planning systems.
Inventory Management
Maintain inventory levels in line with agreed business targets and policies.
Monitor stock cover, slow-moving inventory, obsolete stock, and excess inventory risks.
Support stock accuracy initiatives and inventory optimisation activities.
Analyse inventory performance and recommend corrective actions where required.
Contribute to the effective management of working capital through efficient inventory control.
Stakeholder Management
Build effective working relationships with Planning, Manufacturing, Procurement, Technical, Commercial, and Supply Chain teams.
Communicate planning risks, constraints, and opportunities in a timely and professional manner.
Escalate significant risks that may impact customer service, cost, quality, or operational performance.
Provide clear planning information and recommendations to support business decision-making.
Continuous Improvement and Projects
Support continuous improvement initiatives designed to enhance planning processes, systems, and performance.
Contribute to business transformation programmes, including factory developments, capacity expansion projects, and ERP implementations.
Participate in process reviews, testing activities, user acceptance testing, system development, and training where required.
Promote best practices, standardisation, and planning excellence across the Planning function.
Support the development and implementation of planning KPIs, reporting, and performance measures.
General Responsibilities
Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and health and safety requirements.
Maintain high standards of data accuracy and integrity within planning systems.
Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the level and responsibilities of the role.
About you
Essential
Experience in Production Planning, Materials Planning, or Supply Chain Planning.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt quickly to changing business requirements.
Experience working with ERP and planning systems.
Good understanding of inventory management principles.
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to work independently and make informed decisions within defined guidelines.
Strong attention to detail.
An organised and methodical working style.
Resilience and the ability to work under pressure.
A positive and professional attitude.
Desirable
Experience within food manufacturing or FMCG environments.
Knowledge of production scheduling and capacity planning principles.
Experience of SAP, SAP IBP, or other advanced planning systems.
Understanding of procurement and supplier management processes.
Participation in ERP implementation or business transformation projects.
A proactive and continuous improvement mindset.
Company Benefits
Competitive salary – accredited Living Wage employer
25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays
Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year
Discretionary annual bonus scheme
Pension scheme - employer matched contributions up to 4%
Life assurance scheme worth at least 1x annual salary
Subsidised canteen
Free parking
Free turkey or voucher at Christmas
apetito perks scheme including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts
Our Values
As a family-owned business, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of.
We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well-being for all our customers.
We are driven by a passion for service and dedicated to feeding some of the UK’s most vulnerable people.
We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040.
Our ethical standards are recognised by the ETI and we are an accredited Living Wage employer.Learn more about apetito’s commitment to a more sustainable future.
We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities, and staff and we're on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.