We are seeking an experienced Production Planner to translate customer demand and warehouse replenishment requirements into an achievable, cost-effective production plan that optimises manufacturing capacity, raw material availability, inventory levels and customer service.

The successful candidate must be a resilient, analytical and assertive planner who can operate under pressure, challenge existing practices constructively, and drive improvements in planning discipline, production execution and cross-functional coordination.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain monthly and weekly production plans aligned with demand, stock requirements, manufacturing capacity and raw material availability.

• Assess capacity constraints, equipment compatibility, maintenance requirements and production priorities to ensure realistic scheduling.

• Generate and manage production jobs through Syspro, ensuring accurate planning data and timely job closure.

• Monitor daily production plan adherence, investigate deviations, identify root causes and drive corrective action.

• Coordinate closely with Production, Procurement, Warehousing, Dispatch and Commercial teams to resolve constraints and protect customer service.

• Optimise production sequences and batch sizes to improve efficiency, minimise changeovers and avoid excess or obsolete finished goods.

• Monitor inventory availability, participate in stock counts and support accurate stock control.

• Produce capacity, production performance and S&OP reports, highlighting risks, trends and opportunities to the Factory Manager.

• Identify opportunities to improve planning processes, systems, data accuracy and operational performance.

• Analytical thinking: Use data to identify risks, understand root causes and make sound planning decisions.

• Planning discipline: Methodical, systematic, detail-oriented and committed to accurate schedules and reporting.

• Influencing and coordination: Able to work across functions, gain cooperation and translate plans into action.

• Ownership mentality: Proactive, solutions-focused and comfortable working independently in a demanding manufacturing environment.

Reporting:

• Supply the Factory Manager with the relevant Standard and Operating Procedure (S&OP) information to be included in the management report, include production demand performance.

• Monitor adherence to plan and escalate failure to adhere to the Factory Manager.

• Prepare and distribute relevant capacity report and indicate all available capacity and opportunities to the production team.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Matric, with a Diploma in Supply Chain Management, Production Management, Operations or Business Management preferred.

• 3–5 Years’ experience in production planning, inventory planning or manufacturing scheduling, preferably in FMCG.

• Strong working knowledge of Syspro or a comparable manufacturing ERP system.

• Advanced Excel skills, including data analysis, reporting and production planning.

• Expert knowledge of other MS Office packages (e.g. Word, Outlook, Teams, etc.).

• Good understanding of manufacturing processes, inventory control, warehousing and dispatch.

• Chemical manufacturing experience will be an advantage.

• Valid driver’s license and reliable transport.

Job Related Knowledge:

• Product (chemical) knowledge (advantageous).

• ERP planning knowledge.

• Supply Chain knowledge within the FMCG environment.

• Warehousing and dispatch knowledge.

• Manufacturing processes knowledge (advantageous).

• Stock control knowledge.