Planning Manager Location: Widnes, Cheshire Hybrid Working: 3 days onsite per week About the Role We are recruiting for a Planning Manager to join a growing manufacturing business based in Widnes. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced planner who thrives in a fast-paced FMCG environment and enjoys owning and improving planning processes. This role is highly operational and analytical, with responsibility for managing the planning function, ensuring supply and demand plans are aligned, and driving planning excellence across the business. While this is a manager-level position, it does not include direct people management. Instead, the focus is on managing processes, influencing stakeholders, and delivering a robust planning strategy. A key requirement is advanced Excel capability, as the planning function is currently entirely Excel-based. You will be expected to confidently build, manage, and optimise planning models whilst identifying opportunities for continuous improvement. Key Responsibilities Own and manage the end-to-end planning process across the business. Develop and maintain production, inventory, and supply plans. Lead SandOP and forecasting activities, ensuring alignment with business objectives. Manage capacity planning and identify risks to supply continuity. Analyse demand trends and convert data into actionable planning decisions. Maintain and enhance complex Excel-based planning tools and models. Work closely with Operations, Manufacturing, ..... full job details .....