Production Planner
Location: Grantham, Lincolnshire (commutable from Newark, Sleaford, Lincoln, Melton Mowbray, Stamford)
Annual Salary: Up to £34,000 (dependent on experience) + bonus & flexible benefits
Hours: Full-time (40 hours), Monday-Friday
Sector: Composite Packaging Manufacturing
Protecting what matters, together
We’re dedicated to protecting what matters most - our people, our customers, our communities and the environment. At Macfarlane Packaging, our commitment to customer satisfaction, sustainability and continual improvement creates a highly collaborative, supportive and friendly workplace where you can build a career that grows.
As part of Macfarlane Group, our Design and Manufacture division specialises in creating bespoke protective packaging solutions for high-value products. Supporting customers across sectors such as aerospace, defence, electronics, industrial and medical, we play a critical role in ensuring products are protected throughout transit and storage.
With a strong heritage and a forward-thinking approach, we offer stability, ongoing investment, and the opportunity to develop within a fast-paced and growing manufacturing environment.
The Production Planner Role
Working closely with the Operations Manager and wider production team, you will play a key role in ensuring the smooth and efficient planning of manufacturing operations.
This is a varied and hands-on position, where you will be responsible for coordinating production schedules, managing materials, and supporting continuous improvement across planning processes. You’ll work in a fast-paced, short batch manufacturing environment, balancing changing customer demands with operational efficiency.
The role requires strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams including production, design, sales, and logistics.
Key Responsibilities
Essential:
We provide a competitive basic salary alongside a range of flexible benefits designed to support you both personally and professionally. These can include:
At Macfarlane Group, we are committed to developing our people and supporting long-term career progression. Whether you are looking to deepen your expertise within planning or broaden your experience across operations, we provide structured development pathways and opportunities to grow within the business.
How to Apply/Next Steps
We are working quickly to identify the strongest candidates and expect to begin interviews shortly. Please click ‘apply’ to submit your up-to-date CV. All applications will be acknowledged. If you have not heard from us within three weeks, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender expression, religion or sexual orientation. Should you require any support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please email our recruitment team directly.
No recruitment agencies please
Location: Grantham, Lincolnshire (commutable from Newark, Sleaford, Lincoln, Melton Mowbray, Stamford)
Annual Salary: Up to £34,000 (dependent on experience) + bonus & flexible benefits
Hours: Full-time (40 hours), Monday-Friday
Sector: Composite Packaging Manufacturing
Protecting what matters, together
We’re dedicated to protecting what matters most - our people, our customers, our communities and the environment. At Macfarlane Packaging, our commitment to customer satisfaction, sustainability and continual improvement creates a highly collaborative, supportive and friendly workplace where you can build a career that grows.
As part of Macfarlane Group, our Design and Manufacture division specialises in creating bespoke protective packaging solutions for high-value products. Supporting customers across sectors such as aerospace, defence, electronics, industrial and medical, we play a critical role in ensuring products are protected throughout transit and storage.
With a strong heritage and a forward-thinking approach, we offer stability, ongoing investment, and the opportunity to develop within a fast-paced and growing manufacturing environment.
The Production Planner Role
Working closely with the Operations Manager and wider production team, you will play a key role in ensuring the smooth and efficient planning of manufacturing operations.
This is a varied and hands-on position, where you will be responsible for coordinating production schedules, managing materials, and supporting continuous improvement across planning processes. You’ll work in a fast-paced, short batch manufacturing environment, balancing changing customer demands with operational efficiency.
The role requires strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams including production, design, sales, and logistics.
Key Responsibilities
- Analyse customer demand and order trends to support effective production planning
- Create and manage production schedules to optimise machine utilisation, labour, and output
- Review batch sizes and material usage to drive efficiency and reduce waste
- Raise and manage purchase orders for raw materials in line with production requirements
- Release and manage works orders, ensuring accuracy and timely progression through production
- Maintain and update bill of materials (BOM) and product structures within the ERP system
- Ensure accurate technical information and drawings are issued to production teams
- Monitor job completion data and ensure accurate feedback is captured from production
- Liaise closely with sales, design, and logistics teams to ensure customer requirements and deadlines are met
- Produce reports and analysis to support decision-making and continuous improvement
- Support stock control activities and help maintain optimal inventory levels
- Identify opportunities to improve planning systems, processes, and overall operational efficiency
Essential:
- Previous experience within a production planning, scheduling, or manufacturing coordination role
- Experience working within a fast-paced manufacturing environment, ideally with short lead times or bespoke production
- Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise effectively
- Analytical mindset with good numerical and data interpretation ability
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Confident communicator with the ability to work cross-functionally
- IT proficiency including ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office (particularly Excel)
- Experience within short batch, bespoke, or low-volume manufacturing environments
- Exposure to materials planning or stock control
- Understanding of bill of materials (BOM) management
- Experience supporting process improvements within planning or production functions
We provide a competitive basic salary alongside a range of flexible benefits designed to support you both personally and professionally. These can include:
- 23 days annual leave (rising with service) plus all public/bank holidays
- Contributory pension scheme
- Free on-site parking
- Employee assistance programme to support wellbeing
- Extensive training and development opportunities
- Employee discount scheme (retail and leisure)
- Tax-free childcare (TFC) scheme
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- Long service awards
- Charitable giving options
- Financial support with eye tests and glasses (DSE users)
- Candidate referral scheme
At Macfarlane Group, we are committed to developing our people and supporting long-term career progression. Whether you are looking to deepen your expertise within planning or broaden your experience across operations, we provide structured development pathways and opportunities to grow within the business.
How to Apply/Next Steps
We are working quickly to identify the strongest candidates and expect to begin interviews shortly. Please click ‘apply’ to submit your up-to-date CV. All applications will be acknowledged. If you have not heard from us within three weeks, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender expression, religion or sexual orientation. Should you require any support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please email our recruitment team directly.
No recruitment agencies please
Advertiser
Macfarlane Group UK Ltd
Reference
MCF1427
Employer
Macfarlane Group UK Ltd
Network Category
Contract Type
Industry Sector
Location
Town
Grantham
Salary and benefits
£34000.00 Per Annum plus bonus & benefits
