Junior Production Planner (Manufacturing / Production)

Overview: This role plays a crucial role by efficiently managing production schedules, inventory levels, and resources to ensure the timely and cost-effective production of goods and service delivery to the market. This role is essential for maintaining smooth operations and meeting customer demand while optimizing resources.    Minimum Requirements: Grade 12 Tertiary qualification in Supply Chain / Operations Management OR equivalent experience 2+ years in Production Planner/Coordinator role, in FMCG environment Proficient in MS Office, with MS Excel skills at an advanced level   Responsibilities: Production Scheduling Create and maintain production schedules based on demand forecasts, sales orders, and inventory levels. Prioritize and allocate production tasks to different production lines. Adjust schedules as necessary to accommodate changing demand or unforeseen production issues. Optimise changeovers and production efficiencies. Inventory Management Monitor inventory levels of raw materials, ingredients, packaging, work-in-progress, and finished goods. Collaborate with procurement and warehouse teams to optimize inventory levels and reduce carrying costs, while maintaining minimum stock levels. Demand Forecasting Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to gather market insights and customer demand forecasts. Use demand forecasting tools and historical data to predict future production requirements. Analyse promotion forecasts and plan inventory to ensure service delivery. Fine-tune production plans based on demand fluctuations and market trends. Resource Planning Coordinate with production supervisors and managers to allocate labour, machinery, and equipment efficiently. Optimize resource utilization to meet production targets while minimizing downtime and overtime costs. Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards in resource allocation. Continuous Improvement Identifying opportunities for process optimization, cost reduction, and performance improvement within the procurement function. Implementing best practices, leveraging technology, and driving efficiency across the procurement process.