Head of Operational Supply Planning

Job Overview

pladis is a global biscuits and confectionery business dedicated to delivering high quality products while investing in its people, technology and people. The Head of Supply Operational Planning is a senior leadership role responsible for end to end production planning across a multi site manufacturing network.

The role delivers high customer service while optimising cost per tonne, working capital and workforce efficiency across six production sites and a central distribution centre. It reports directly to the Director of Customer Supply & Operational Planning UKI and is a key member of the leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end to end production planning across the manufacturing network, ensuring supply activities are fully aligned with sales forecasts and demand signals.
• Develop and execute integrated supply plans for six production sites, a co packing centre and the central distribution centre.
• Own the production planning strategy for all product categories and manufacturing lines, optimising volume allocation across sites to maximise efficiency, capacity utilisation and service.
• Translate sales forecasts and demand planning signals into actionable production plans in partnership with Demand Planning, Commercial and Finance teams.
• Lead monthly and weekly planning cycles, including S&OP and IBP processes, detailed production scheduling, line sequencing and capacity balancing.
• Drive standardisation of planning processes and tools across all manufacturing sites.
• Own finished goods and WIP inventory strategy across the network, balancing service levels, working capital and waste reduction.
• Act as the central coordination point across production sites and the distribution centre, managing inter site flows and stock transfers to support network optimisation.
• Define and track key KPIs such as service level / OTIF, factory CTP, schedule adherence, inventory turns and waste.
• Lead and develop a high performing supply planning community, building capability in systems (OMP, SAP), tools and analytical skills while fostering accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Champion the use of planning systems (OMP & SAP) to improve visibility, accuracy and efficiency, and drive process improvement initiatives including digital transformation.

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

Qualifications, Education 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 and 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 with experience managing planning across complex, multi product, multi line operations.
• Familiarity with advanced planning systems such as SAP, OMP, APO/IBP, Kinaxis or Blue Yonder.
• Experience driving transformation or process improvement initiatives.
• Strategic thinker with strong operational execution capability and stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast paced environment, with a data driven mindset.
• Collaborative leadership style and ability to grow high performing teams.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

About pladis

pladis is one of the world's fastest growing snacking companies, home to brands such as McVitie's, GODIVA, Ülker, Jacob's, Go Ahead, Flipz, Turtles, BN, Verkade and many more. The company operates 27 bakeries across 11 countries and employs 16,000 people worldwide, with a purpose to 'bring happiness with every bite'.