Head of Operational Supply Planning

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you.

As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.

To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led, resilient and positive to succeed here because we expect pace and agility, we insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact

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Context and role purpose

• The Head of Supply Operational Planning is a senior leadership role responsible for end-to-end production planning across a multi-site manufacturing network.
• Lead the Operational Planning function to deliver a high level of customer service, which meets our customer’s expectations while delivering optimal cost per tonne, optimal working capital levels, within the most effective & efficient team structure to pladis UKI.  
• Operating across six production sites and a central distribution centre, the role is critical in balancing demand, capacity, inventory, and service to deliver best-in-class customer service while optimising cost and efficiency.
• Based in the pladis UK headquarters and reports directly to the Director of Customer Supply & Operational Planning UKI and a key member of the leadership team.
• This role ensures that all production lines and product flows are optimally planned and aligned with sales forecasts, demand signals, and business priorities.
• This role has 2 direct reports and 15 indirect reports in multiple locations.

Principle Accountabilities

The Head of Supply Operational Planning is responsible for leading the end-to-end planning of production across the manufacturing network, ensuring that all supply activities are fully aligned with sales forecasts and demand signals.

The role exists to create a single, integrated supply plan that optimises capacity, inventory, and service across six production sites, a co-packing operation and a central distribution center.

By balancing customer demand with operational capability, this role is critical in delivering high product availability, minimising waste, and driving efficient, cost-effective operations while supporting the overall growth and performance of the business.

What will be your key deliverables?

End-to-End Supply Planning Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of integrated supply plans across six production sites, co-packing center and the central distribution center.
• Own the production planning strategy for all product categories and manufacturing lines.
• Ensure optimal allocation of volume across sites to maximise efficiency, capacity utilisation, and service.
• Lead a team of Supply Planning Managers and develop talent for future  

Demand & Supply Alignment

• Translate sales forecasts and demand planning signals into actionable production plans.
• Partner closely with Demand Planning, Commercial, and Finance teams to ensure alignment between supply capability and market requirements.
• Lead monthly and weekly planning cycles, including S&OP / IBP processes.

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Oversee detailed production planning, including line scheduling, sequencing, and capacity balancing.
• Ensure plans are feasible, efficient, and responsive to changes in demand or operational constraints.
• Drive standardisation of planning processes and tools across all manufacturing sites.
• Manage and work with the Strategic Planning Manager to identify long-term capacity constraints and opportunities.

Inventory & Service Optimisation

• Own finished goods and WIP inventory strategy across the network.
• Balance service levels, working capital, and waste reduction in a food manufacturing environment.
• Ensure high product availability while minimising excess, obsolescence, and write-offs.

Network Coordination

• Act as the central point of coordination across production sites and the distribution centre.
• Manage inter-site flows and stock transfers to support network optimisation.
• Ensure effective communication and alignment across site planning teams.

Performance Management

• Define and track key KPIs, including:
  • Service level / OTIF
  • Factory CTP
  • Working capital
  • Schedule adherence
  • Inventory turns and waste
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance planning performance and operational efficiency.

Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead and develop a high-performing supply planning community across multiple locations.
• Build planning capability, including systems OMP, tools, and analytical skills.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Systems & Process Optimisation

• Champion the use of planning systems OMP & SAP to improve visibility, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Lead process improvement initiatives, including digital transformation of planning processes.
• Ensure data integrity and governance across planning systems.

Key Success Measures:

• Improved service levels and OTIF performance
• High alignment between forecast and production plans
• Optimised inventory levels and reduced waste
• Increased efficiency and utilisation across production sites
• Strong team engagement and capability growth

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience in supply planning within a food or FMCG manufacturing environment.
• Proven leadership experience in multi-site production planning.
• Strong understanding of S&OP / Integrated Business Planning processes.
• Demonstrated ability to align supply plans with demand signals and commercial priorities.
• Deep knowledge of production planning, capacity management, and inventory optimisation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing planning across complex, multi-product, multi-line operations.
• Familiarity with advanced planning systems (e.g., SAP, OMP, APO/IBP, Kinaxis, Blue Yonder).
• Experience driving transformation or process improvement initiatives.
• Strategic thinker with strong operational execution capability
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment
• High attention to detail with a data-driven mindset
• Collaborative leadership style

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidate to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business.
We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.