Supply Chain & Production Planner

Location: London
The Opportunity: Ready to take ownership of a key procurement category?

Great procurement is about more than securing the best price. It’s about knowing the market, challenging suppliers and finding smarter ways to deliver value.
We’re working with a well-established chilled food manufacturer looking for a Direct Procurement Buyer to take ownership of key supplier relationships and help drive its procurement strategy forward. 

Why this role?
With chilled food at the heart of the business, procurement plays a key role in supporting performance, managing costs and ensuring the right suppliers are in place to support its ambitions.

You’ll have the opportunity to shape procurement strategy, build strong supplier partnerships and influence decisions that make a real difference to cost, quality and efficiency across the chilled division.

If you enjoy getting stuck into negotiations, spotting opportunities others might miss and challenging the way things are done, this is a chance to take ownership, drive change and see the impact of your work across the business.

What will you be doing?
•    Managing key supplier relationships across direct procurement.
•    Supporting supplier negotiations, contracts and sourcing activities.
•    Analysing market trends to identify commercial opportunities and inform buying decisions.
•    Tracking procurement KPIs and performance against strategy.
•    Driving improvements in cost, quality, efficiency and purchasing processes.
•    Ensuring ethical sourcing, supplier traceability and compliance.
•    Monitoring purchase orders and resolving delivery issues with suppliers.
•    Working with Supply Chain to manage inventory and reduce waste and risk.
•    Leading supplier performance improvements and continuous improvement initiatives.
•    Supporting NPD and wider business projects.
•    Contributing to business strategy and representing Purchasing at senior leadership level.

About the business: 
Our client is an established, multi-site chilled food manufacturer supplying customers across the food industry. With a dedicated focus on chilled products, the business combines established manufacturing operations with a strong emphasis on quality, customer requirements and efficient ways of working.

What are they looking for?
Essential: 
•    Previous procurement experience is essential.
•    A strong FMCG background, ideally within chilled food.
•    Experience in sourcing processes and contract negotiations.
•    Experience operating at SLT level and contributing to wider business strategy.
•    Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret performance data and understand the impact of market conditions.
•    Confidence in challenging stakeholders, questioning assumptions and influencing decisions.
•    A track record of identifying opportunities for improvement, implementing change and delivering results.
•    A strong understanding of wider business processes and how procurement supports commercial and operational performance.
•    Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to engage stakeholders at all levels.
•    A proactive, self-motivated approach, with the ability to work independently and drive initiatives forward.

What's in it for you?
•    The opportunity to take ownership of key direct procurement categories.
•    Exposure to strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations and market analysis.
•    The chance to influence procurement strategy and work with senior stakeholders.
•    A varied role spanning procurement, supply chain, NPD and wider business projects.
•    Genuine scope to drive continuous improvement and deliver measurable commercial results.

Why speak to True North Talent?
We're specialists in food and drink manufacturing recruitment, so we understand the procurement, supply chain, technical and operational landscape you're working in.

If you're a Procurement Buyer looking for your next challenge, with the opportunity to influence supplier relationships, drive commercial improvements and contribute to wider business strategy, we'd love to have a confidential conversation.

Interested?
If you have the desired experience, please send your CV quoting ref IC/TNT/2769 or call 0161 399 1575 / 0744 7735 175 and ask for India who will be more than happy to talk you through the position in more detail. 

We may hold your data, as per our privacy policy detailed on our website.

We are only able to consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.

Six Figure package | Fochabers | Site-based with travel

The Opportunity: This is a senior leadership opportunity to shape the supply chain strategy of Baxters Food Group, an established food manufacturer with a strong heritage and operations across Europe.

With responsibility for production planning, customer service, logistics and distribution and inventory, you will create a more connected, responsive and efficient supply chain that supports both customer service and the Group’s wider strategic ambitions.

The Role

Reporting into the senior leadership team, you will lead Baxters’ European supply chain operations function, with accountability for production planning, customer service, logistics and distribution.

In this role, you will:

Develop and implement the European customer service and logistics strategy, establishing clear priorities, performance measures and standards. Lead production planning across multiple manufacturing sites, creating greater transparency, stability and consistency. Own the master production schedules, working closely with Factory General Managers to align capacity, resources and supply requirements. Manage third-party logistics relationships, driving improvements across cost, service, compliance and sustainability. Establish and manage meaningful supply chain KPIs, using data to explain performance, anticipate risk and inform better decisions. Champion the use of Oracle ASCP to create more reliable, repeatable and effective planning processes. Ensure supply chain considerations are embedded within new product launches, supporting effective execution and speed to market. Lead, coach and develop teams across customer service, logistics and production planning, creating greater accountability and collaboration. Take ownership of relevant budgets and cost centres, balancing customer service, operational efficiency and working capital requirements.

The Challenge

This is not a role focused solely on maintaining existing processes. You will need to connect supply chain activity across multiple sites, challenge established ways of working and create a clearer, more consistent operating model.

You will work with experienced and confident operational stakeholders, so you must be comfortable challenging constructively, influencing at senior level and turning complex operational data into clear commercial insight.

About You

We’re looking for someone with:

Essential

Senior supply chain leadership experience gained within food, drink or another fast-paced manufacturing environment. Broad experience across production planning, logistics, distribution and customer service.
Experience leading supply chain activity across multiple manufacturing sites.
A strong track record of improving supply chain processes, performance and service levels.
The credibility and confidence to influence Directors, senior managers and operational leaders.
Strong commercial awareness, including experience managing budgets, costs, service performance and working capital.
Proven experience leading, coaching and developing supply chain teams. The ability to lead change and continuous improvement initiatives through to measurable results.
Desirable

Experience supporting a European or international supply chain network.
Knowledge of Oracle ASCP or a comparable advanced planning system.
Experience improving third-party logistics performance and supply chain sustainability.
Involvement in new product introduction and supply chain innovation.
About Baxters Food Group

Baxters Food Group is an established food manufacturer with a proud heritage, recognised brands and operations across the UK and Europe.

This role is based at the company’s Fochabers site in Moray and offers an experienced supply chain leader the opportunity to make a visible impact on customer service, operational performance and long-term strategy.

Working pattern: Predominantly site-based in Fochabers, with travel across the wider Group as required

Importantly, this is an opportunity to shape a significant European supply chain function and influence how Baxters approaches planning, customer service, logistics and distribution for the future.

We are seeking applications from talented Heads of Supply Chain, Supply Chain Directors, Heads of Supply Chain Operations, Logistics Directors, Planning Directors and Customer Service and Logistics Directors who live within or can relocate to Fochabers, Elgin, Keith, Huntly, Inverness, Aberdeen or the surrounding areas of Moray and North East Scotland.

Interested?

If you’re an experienced supply chain leader within the food and drink/FMCG manufacturing sector and this sounds like the kind of opportunity you’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply directly to our retained consultant Emma Symonds at True North Talent for a confidential conversation about the role, quoting Ref No ES/TNT/3403.

We may hold your data, as per the privacy policy detailed on our website.

We are only able to consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application.

Location: Central Scotland
Overview: An opportunity to use your livestock knowledge in a commercial buying role, working directly with farmers and suppliers across Scotland for an established food manufacturing business.

We are working with a leading food manufacturing business that is looking for an experienced Livestock Buyer to join its procurement team in Central Scotland. This is a varied, supplier-facing role where you’ll be responsible for sourcing cattle and sheep, developing strong relationships with farmers and suppliers, and ensuring the business has the right quality and quantity of livestock available to meet production requirements.

Previous livestock experience is essential. This could come from livestock buying, farming, agricultural markets, auctioneering or another closely related background where you have developed a strong practical understanding of cattle and/or sheep.

Why this role?
If you already know the livestock industry and want to develop the commercial side of your career, this is an opportunity to combine your agricultural knowledge with procurement and relationship management.

You won’t be confined to a desk. A significant part of the role involves getting out into the agricultural community, visiting farms, speaking directly with producers and developing long-term supplier relationships.

You’ll also gain exposure to the wider food manufacturing process, developing an understanding of how livestock procurement connects with supply chain, animal welfare, production, carcass yields, customer specifications and production planning.

Joining an established procurement team, you’ll have the opportunity to build on your existing livestock knowledge while developing further commercially within a major food manufacturing environment.

What will you be doing?
You’ll take responsibility for a broad livestock procurement remit, including:

• Procuring cattle and sheep from livestock suppliers through regular farm visits and direct communication.

• Ensuring sufficient livestock is sourced to meet weekly business and production requirements.

• Negotiating commercially and helping ensure livestock is procured at the best possible value.

• Building and maintaining strong, long-term relationships with farmers and the wider supplier base.

• Working with farmers, livestock agents, hauliers and other suppliers to coordinate livestock deliveries.

• Ensuring livestock is sourced in accordance with relevant farm assurance requirements.

• Monitoring livestock quality, availability and wider market conditions.

• Providing livestock procurement advice and market information to management when required.

• Ensuring animal welfare legislation and company procedures are followed in relation to the safe movement and handling of livestock.

• Attending agricultural shows and other relevant industry events.

About the business
Our client is an established food manufacturing business with a significant presence across the UK.

Agriculture and livestock procurement sit at the heart of its operation, with the business working closely with farmers and suppliers to maintain a consistent supply of high-quality livestock for its customer base.

The business continues to invest in its operations and supply network, making this an opportunity to join an established procurement function where strong relationships with the agricultural community are fundamental to its success.

You’ll be joining a business that can also give you exposure beyond livestock purchasing, allowing you to develop your understanding of the wider journey from farm through to finished product.

What are they looking for?
Essential

• Previous experience working within the livestock or agricultural sector.

• Practical knowledge of cattle and/or sheep.

• Experience that could come from livestock buying, farming, agricultural markets, auctioneering or a closely related livestock background.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work directly with farmers and suppliers.

• Commercial awareness and an interest in developing further within livestock procurement.

• Highly motivated, ambitious and comfortable working in a fast-moving environment.

• Strong organisational and time-management skills.

• The ability to work independently and manage a role involving regular travel.

• Comfortable working under pressure and adapting to changing market conditions.

• Good attention to detail.

• Competent using Microsoft Office.

• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Previous livestock procurement or buying experience.

• Knowledge of the Scottish livestock market and supplier base.

• Existing relationships within the farming or agricultural community.

• Experience working with both cattle and sheep.

• Previous procurement, commercial or supply chain exposure within agriculture or food manufacturing.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.

• Performance-related bonus opportunity.

• Pension scheme.

• Free on-site parking.

• Employee Assistance Programme.

• Permanent, full-time position.

• A varied role combining livestock, agriculture, procurement and food manufacturing.

• Significant time spent working directly with farmers and suppliers rather than being purely office based.

• The opportunity to develop your commercial and procurement experience within an established food manufacturing business.

• Exposure to the wider supply chain and manufacturing process.

• The opportunity to build long-term relationships across the Scottish agricultural community.

Why True North Talent?
True North Talent specialises exclusively in recruitment across the UK food and drink manufacturing industry. We understand the sector, the challenges businesses are facing and the experience required to succeed within it.

Our specialist consultants work closely with both clients and candidates to ensure we're not simply matching a CV to a job description – we're helping people make the right career move and businesses secure the expertise they need.

Interested?
If you have experience within livestock buying, farming, agricultural markets, auctioneering or another livestock-focused environment and are interested in developing your career within livestock procurement, we'd love to have a confidential conversation about the opportunity and whether it could be the right next step for you.

Apply directly or call Dan on 0161 399 1575 / 07830 944183 for a confidential discussion about this role, quoting Ref No DW/TNT/3397.

We may hold your data, as per our privacy policy detailed on our website.
We are only able to consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.

Location: North-East
Overview: We’re looking for a commercially driven and relationship-focused Supply Chain Manager to join a growing and forward-thinking food business based in the North East. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact - leading key category strategies, managing customers, and supporting the company’s growth plans.

About You:

• As Supply Chain Manager, you will have proven experience in food manufacturing, food service, or retail supply chain.
• Strong knowledge of category management, working with major retailers
• Confident communicator with excellent stakeholder management skills.
• Commercially astute, data-driven, and comfortable making strategic decisions.
• A collaborative team player who thrives in a fast-paced, growing business.

What will you be doing?

• Customer relationship management. Build and maintain these relationships managing supply chain queries and delivering exceptional service.
• The Supply Chain Manager will be acting as key contact for retailers on all supply chain matters.
• This will be a customer facing role on supply chain matters delivering solutions to deliver service excellence.
• Working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on supply, quality, and sustainability.
• Negotiating commercial terms and driving continuous improvement in supply chain processes.
• Supporting the wider Supply Chain team in achieving best-in-class performance.

What can they offer you?
You’ll be joining a growing food business that’s proud of its strong culture, supportive team environment, and genuine passion for great food. The company values collaboration, innovation and doing things the right way - with plenty of opportunity to make your mark and influence how the supply chain function evolves.

We’re keen to hear from talented Supply Chain Managers, Commercial Supply Chain Managers, End to End Supply Chain Managers and Supply Chain Professionals based in or around the North-East - South Shields, Tyneside, Newcastle, Gateshead or Sunderland.

How to Apply
If this sounds like the next step for you, please send your CV quoting ref CH/TNT/3346 or call Carole on 0161 399 1575 for a confidential chat.

True North Talent is recognised as a trusted supplier of permanent, contract and interim recruitment services to the food manufacturing and FMCG industries. Our teams of specialist recruiters operate across food manufacturing Operations Jobs, food manufacturing Engineering jobs, food manufacturing Technical jobs, food manufacturing NPD jobs, food manufacturing Supply Chain jobs and food manufacturing Commercial jobs.

We are only able to consider candidates who have the full legal right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.
 

Location: Greater Manchester
Overview: We are recruiting an experienced Supply Chain Planning Manager to join a growing and successful food manufacturing business. Reporting directly to the Head of Supply Chain, you'll lead the Planning, Demand Planning and Materials teams, ensuring accurate forecasting, efficient production planning and seamless material availability across the site.

This is a key leadership role where you'll work cross functionally with Commercial, Operations, Technical, NPD, Logistics and Finance to deliver excellent customer service while optimising inventory, capacity and labour. You'll play a pivotal role in driving continuous improvement, reducing working capital and helping shape the future Supply Chain strategy within the business.

About you…

• Proven experience as a Planning Manager, Supply Chain Planning Manager or Supply Chain Manager within food manufacturing.
• Experience leading and developing planning, demand planning or materials teams.
• Strong understanding of production planning, forecasting, inventory management and capacity planning.
• As Supply Chain Planning Manager, you will have excellent communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across multiple departments and customers.
• Highly analytical, organised and methodical with a proactive approach to problem solving and continuous improvement.

What will you be doing?

• Leading the Planning, Demand Planning and Materials teams to deliver accurate production plans that maximise service levels and operational efficiency.
• Working closely with Commercial teams and key retail customers to develop accurate forecasts and ensure production plans meet customer demand.
• The Supply Chain Planning Manager will be managing material planning and supplier lead times to ensure all raw materials and packaging are available to support production schedules.
• Collaborating with NPD, Technical, Operations, Warehouse and Logistics teams to ensure successful product launches and effective management of critical paths.
• Managing promotional planning, seasonal demand and capacity planning to maintain product availability while optimising factory performance.
• Monitoring inventory levels, managing SKU changes and packaging run-outs to minimise waste and reduce working capital.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives across Supply Chain processes while supporting the implementation of new ways of working and strategic business objectives.
• Coaching, developing and motivating the Supply Chain team through regular performance reviews, objectives and ongoing support.

So, what can they offer you?
This is an excellent opportunity to join a successful and growing food manufacturing business where Supply Chain plays a central role in delivering operational excellence and outstanding customer service.

You'll become part of a collaborative senior leadership team, working across the business to influence strategy, improve planning processes and drive continuous improvement. The business is committed to investing in its people and systems, giving you the autonomy to make a genuine impact while developing your own career.

If you enjoy leading high performing teams, improving planning accuracy and creating efficient supply chain processes within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment, this is a fantastic opportunity to take the next step in your career.

We are keen to speak with experienced Supply Chain Planning Managers, Planning Managers, Supply Chain Managers, Demand Planning Managers, Materials Managers, Production Planning Managers, Supply Chain Leads or Senior Planners from the food manufacturing or FMCG sectors who are based in Manchester, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Warrington, Wigan, Blackburn, Preston or the surrounding areas.

How to Apply
If you have the desired qualifications and experience, please send your CV quoting ref JO/TNT/3327 or call 0161 399 1575 / 07830 944145 for a confidential discussion.

True North Talent is recognised as a trusted supplier of permanent, contract and interim recruitment services to the food manufacturing and FMCG industries. Our teams of specialist recruiters operate across food manufacturing Operations Jobs, food manufacturing Engineering jobs, food manufacturing Technical jobs, food manufacturing NPD jobs, food manufacturing Supply Chain jobs and food manufacturing Commercial jobs. We may hold your data, as per our privacy policy detailed on our website.

We are only able to consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.
 

Location: UK
Overview: We are seeking an Interim Planning Manager for a food manufacturer who supply quality food products to UK retail.

The Candidate:
•    Experience as Planning Manager in a Food or FMCG manufacturing business
•    Commercial awareness and successful budget management
•    Experience working with databases and office systems – desirable Oracle ERP experience
•    Good interpersonal, networking and team building skills, with proven ability in building effective working relationships

The Role:
•    Plan and manage inventory
•    Take ownership of the customer demand plan, supplier production forecasts and purchasing process. 
•    Maintain strong service levels, manage stick levels and supplier relationships
•    Communicate with relevant stakeholders.

The Offering
Day Rate, dependant on experience, plus expenses.

We are seeking applications from Planning Managers, Demand and Planning Managers, Operations Planning Managers, Head of Planning or Senior Planning and Forecasting Managers.

True North Talent is recognised as a trusted supplier of permanent, contract and interim recruitment services to the food manufacturing and FMCG industries. Our teams of specialist recruiters operate across food manufacturing Operations Jobs, food manufacturing Engineering jobs, food manufacturing Technical jobs, food manufacturing NPD jobs, food manufacturing Supply Chain jobs and food manufacturing Commercial jobs. We may hold your data, as per our privacy policy detailed on our website.

We are only able to consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.

Location: UK
Overview: We are seeking an experienced Interim Buyer to join a growing food manufacturing company. 

The Candidate:
•    Demonstrate experience within a purchasing role, ideally in food manufacturing.
•    Confident of using all Microsoft Office applications.
•    Excellent negotiation, communication, influencing, and relationship building skills.

The Role:
•    Influence both internal and external stakeholders throughout the sourcing process to successfully deliver agreed portfolio plans.
•    Manage the full process including the market research, pricing, supplier selection and negotiation.
•    Delivering portfolio using product knowledge within the value chain and customer arena.
•    Ensuring business and customer needs are understood and managed to deliver long term sustainability.

The Offering:
Day Rate, dependant on experience, plus expenses.

We are seeking applications from experienced Buyers, Procurement Managers, Purchasing Managers, Procurement Specialists or Category Managers.

True North Talent is recognised as a trusted supplier of permanent, contract and interim recruitment services to the food manufacturing and FMCG industries. Our teams of specialist recruiters operate across food manufacturing Operations Jobs, food manufacturing Engineering jobs, food manufacturing Technical jobs, food manufacturing NPD jobs, food manufacturing Supply Chain jobs and food manufacturing Commercial jobs. We may hold your data, as per our privacy policy detailed on our website.

We are only able to consider candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we can only contact successful applicants.