Production Planner

Production Planner

• A well-established company based in Boekenhout, Cullinan, Gauteng is seeking a suitably qualified and analytical Production Planner to join its team. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing daily production schedules, coordinating operational and procurement planning, monitoring production capacity and analysing demand forecasts.
• The role requires strong mathematical and analytical skills, with a focus on optimising supply chain processes, maintaining accurate planning data, managing supplier relationships and ensuring production targets are aligned with business requirements.

Minimum Requirements:

• BEng in Industrial Engineering or a BCom in Supply Chain Management is required.
• 1–2 years' operational supply chain experience is required.
• Experience in production planning and Barnton will be beneficial.
• Experience in the FMCG industry will be advantageous.
• Knowledge of operational planning, procurement planning and supply chain processes.
• Understanding of statistical demand analysis, forecasting and production scheduling.
• Strong mathematical, statistical and analytical skills.
• Financial or economic knowledge.
• Experience with data analysis, KPI reporting and performance monitoring.
• Strong organisational, problem-solving and planning skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of project management principles will be advantageous.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Execute daily production schedules and plans across all production units to ensure alignment with operational requirements and business objectives.
• Participate in departmental strategic planning and contribute to the development of recommendations and action plans to achieve departmental objectives.
• Monitor production plans and track performance against established targets, identifying variances and implementing corrective actions where necessary.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to address challenges and improve operational efficiency.
• Liaise regularly with suppliers regarding changing trends, tactical forecasting and supply requirements.
• Develop stock build plans that consider production capacity, raw material availability and supply constraints.
• Understand and optimise supply chain processes and systems to improve planning accuracy and operational performance.
• Analyse internal and external factors affecting demand and ensure these are accurately reflected in forecasts.
• Communicate with relevant stakeholders to maximise efficiencies and ensure alignment between production, procurement and supply chain activities.
• Identify operational challenges, emerging trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain accurate planning data and systems, ensuring master data is updated daily.
• Collate relevant information, validate planning assumptions and coordinate with stakeholders to reach consensus on production and supply plans.
• Communicate, distribute and publish production plans and schedules to the relevant stakeholders.
• Monitor and manage plans, tracking progress and identifying variances between forecasts and actual requirements.
• Issue daily production plans and schedules for all production units.
• Coordinate resource allocation, shift planning and labour requirements in line with production demands.
• Manage supplier relationships and ensure compliance with procurement policies and procedures.
• Analyse procurement data and prepare reports to support effective decision-making.
• Monitor supplier pricing to ensure costs remain within approved internal costings.
• Analyse historical and current operational performance to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Monitor market and product trends, as well as departmental priorities, that may influence demand forecasts.
• Develop and implement tactical plans to support business decisions, particularly relating to production capacity and staffing requirements over a 6–18-month planning horizon.
• Implement and review longer-term tactical plans to ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Identify and implement innovative planning initiatives to improve production scheduling, forecasting accuracy and overall operational efficiency.
• Prepare and communicate KPI reports and planning updates to relevant stakeholders as required.
• Monitor forecast variances daily and ensure planning adjustments are communicated promptly to the relevant stakeholders.

Closing Date: 2 Dec 2026