Production Planner Annual Salary: £25k-£30k Location: Armagh Job Type: Full-time We are seeking a dedicated Production Planner to join our Production department. This role is crucial for planning and scheduling production activities, managing inventory, and ensuring efficient production flow to meet customer demands. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in production planning and inventory management, preferably within the food manufacturing or FMCG sector. Day-to-day of the role: Develop and maintain detailed production schedules based on sales forecasts, customer orders, and inventory targets. Coordinate daily, weekly, and monthly production plans with the production team to ensure alignment with demand requirements. Optimize production capacity and adjust schedules in response to changes in demand, minimizing downtime. Track production schedules, adjusting for equipment maintenance, raw material availability, and workforce capacity. Collaborate with Sales and Operations teams to manage lead times and ensure on-time delivery to customers. Monitor and manage raw material, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods inventory levels to ensure continuity in production while avoiding overstock or shortages. Implement stock rotation principles to maintain inventory quality and minimize waste. Conduct regular stock audits and cycle counts to maintain accurate inventory records. Review sales forecasts and historical demand data to generate accurate production forecasts. Identify process improvements to streamline production planning and inventory management processes. Develop and maintain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to production efficiency, on-time delivery, and inventory accuracy. Liaise with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth coordination across the production process. Required Skills & Qualifications: 3 years of experience in production planning and inventory management, preferably in the food manufacturing or FMCG sector. Strong understanding of production planning, scheduling, and inventory management principles. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and make strategic planning decisions. Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams. Ability to adapt to changing production demands and handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Experience with ERP/MRP systems for planning and inventory management is desirable. Knowledge of food safety standards, quality control, and regulatory compliance in the food industry is an advantage. Benefits: Opportunities for professional growth and development. Dynamic and supportive work environment.