Planning Manager

Planning Manager Location: Widnes, Cheshire Hybrid Working: 3 days onsite per week About the Role We are recruiting for a Planning Manager to join a growing manufacturing business based in Widnes. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced planner who thrives in a fast-paced FMCG environment and enjoys owning and improving planning processes. This role is highly operational and analytical, with responsibility for managing the planning function, ensuring supply and demand plans are aligned, and driving planning excellence across the business. While this is a manager-level position, it does not include direct people management. Instead, the focus is on managing processes, influencing stakeholders, and delivering a robust planning strategy. A key requirement is advanced Excel capability, as the planning function is currently entirely Excel-based. You will be expected to confidently build, manage, and optimise planning models whilst identifying opportunities for continuous improvement. Key Responsibilities • Own and manage the end-to-end planning process across the business. • Develop and maintain production, inventory, and supply plans. • Lead S&OP and forecasting activities, ensuring alignment with business objectives. • Manage capacity planning and identify risks to supply continuity. • Analyse demand trends and convert data into actionable planning decisions. • Maintain and enhance complex Excel-based planning tools and models. • Work closely with Operations, Manufacturing, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams. • Drive process improvements and implement best practices within planning activities. • Monitor key planning metrics and provide regular performance reporting. • Support business growth through accurate forecasting and resource planning. About You • Proven experience within a Planning Manager, Supply Chain Planning Manager, Production Planning Manager, or similar role. • Strong background within FMCG manufacturing environments. • Advanced Excel skills are essential, including complex formulas, pivot tables, lookups, and data analysis. • Experience managing a planning function that relies heavily on Excel-based systems. • Strong understanding of forecasting, inventory management, supply planning, and capacity planning. • Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills. • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. • GMP manufacturing experience would be advantageous but is not essential. • Comfortable influencing senior stakeholders and driving process improvement. What's on Offer? • Hybrid working model (3 days onsite in Widnes). • Opportunity to take ownership of a critical planning function. • Exposure to senior stakeholders and strategic decision-making. • Growing business with ambitious plans for the future. • Competitive salary and benefits package. If you're an experienced Planning professional with strong FMCG experience and exceptional Excel capability, we'd love to hear from you. This is an excellent opportunity to make a real impact and shape the future of the planning function!