Factory Planner

JOB SUMMARY

MAIN PURPOSE:

To lead, coordinate, and control production planning and material flow activities to ensure production schedules are achieved efficiently, safely, and in line with business objectives.

The role is responsible for supervising planning execution, inventory optimization, purchasing coordination, and planning team performance to ensure uninterrupted production, cost control, and KPI achievement.

The Factory Planner ensures optimal inventory levels of raw materials, packaging, WIP, and finished goods; maintains data integrity within JDE systems; drives continuous improvement initiatives; and ensures compliance with Quality Management System (QMS), safety, and company standards.

Support and maintenance of the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 processes, systems and producers.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES / TASKS

     Production Planning & Control

• Supervise and coordinate production planning activities to ensure adherence to the approved production schedule.
• Monitor and control material availability to support production continuity and minimize downtime.
• Review production adherence, material availability, and constraint risks; proactively implement mitigation plans.
• Calculate raw material run-out rates and lead corrective actions to prevent shortages.
• Manage short-, medium-, and long-term planning horizons in alignment with demand and capacity.
• Escalate risks, bottlenecks, and deviations timeously with recommendations for corrective action.

Inventory & Purchasing Management

• Ensure optimal inventory levels of raw materials, packaging, WIP, and finished goods aligned to planning and cost targets.
• Oversee and approve purchasing activities for raw materials, including Intercompany and Non-Intercompany orders.
• Ensure accurate execution of cycle counts and real-time inventory adjustments.
• Maintain strong control over inventory accuracy, obsolescence, and excess stock risks.
• Ensure compliance with agreed procurement and supply chain processes.

Leadership & Supervision

• Supervise, coach, and support planning personnel to ensure consistent execution and performance.
• Allocate work, set priorities, and monitor team outputs to meet operational and delivery targets.
• Review and approve weekly timesheets and ensure discipline in administrative processes.
• Build planning capability through guidance, on-the-job coaching, and knowledge sharing.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement within the planning function.

Systems, Data & Reporting

• Ensure accurate and effective use of ERP systems (JDE / SAP MRP) for planning, purchasing, and inventory control.
• Review planning data, reports, and KPIs to drive effective decision-making.
• Maintain high standards of data integrity, documentation, and reporting accuracy.
• Apply intermediate mathematical and analytical principles to planning and inventory calculations.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with company quality, environmental, health, and safety (QEHS) policies and procedures.
• Conduct and oversee internal audits to ensure QMS effectiveness, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure raw material trials, MOCs, and PCR submissions are completed correctly and timeously.
• Lead and support departmental 5S initiatives and workplace organization.
• Ensure all near misses, incidents, and non-conformances are reported and addressed.
• Enforce PPE, risk assessment, and safe working practices at all times.

Continuous Improvement & Stakeholder Engagement

• Actively support and lead BIC‑UP continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify planning, inventory, and process improvement opportunities and drive implementation.
• Coordinate effectively with Production, Procurement, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain stakeholders.
• Model and promote BIC core competencies and ethical business conduct.

REQIURED knowledge, skills & compenTENcies

Technical & Functional Knowledge

• Strong understanding of production planning, scheduling, and materials management.
• In-depth knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, and cost drivers.
• Working knowledge of inventory control principles, MRP logic, and purchasing processes.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (JDE / SAP MRP) and standard office software.

Leadership & Decision-Making Competencies

• Proven ability to supervise and coordinate a planning team.
• Sound judgment and decision-making based on cost, risk, and business impact.
• Strong problem sensitivity with proactive risk identification and resolution.
• Effective time management and prioritization skills.
• Ability to analyse data, identify trends, and apply inductive and deductive reasoning.

Behavioural & Professional Competencies

• High attention to detail with strong accuracy and accountability.
• Clear communicator with the ability to engage cross-functional teams in English.
• Works effectively under pressure in a fast-paced production environment.
• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and adherence to company values.
• Capable of managing multiple priorities while maintaining planning discipline.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Grade 12 or equivalent qualification.
• Minimum 3 years prior experience as a planner in an FMCG environment. 
• JDE / SAP, MS Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint.
• Qualifications in Production Planning/Manufacturing/ Operations, CPIM or related preferred
• JDE will be advantageous

BIC World is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly commit to hiring people with different backgrounds and experiences to help us build better products, make better decisions, and better serve our customers. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability status, or similar characteristics. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

BIC World is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for this employment opportunity. Regardless of past practice, all resumes submitted by search firms to any team member at BIC via email, or directly to a BIC team member in any form without a valid written search agreement in place for that position will be deemed the sole property of BIC, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by BIC as a result of the referral or through other means.