Planning Coordinator

Allied Bakeries are owned by Associated British Foods. ABF is a diversified international food, ingredients and retail group with sales of £20.1bn and 138,000 employees in 56 countries. It has significant businesses in Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia and Australia. Our sister companies in ABF UK Grocery produce products under many market-leading household brands, including Jordans, Ryvita, Pataks, Blue Dragon & Silver Spoon.

We are proud of our brands: we make top 10 UK grocery brand Kingsmill as well as Allinson’s and Sunblest. You’ll know us best through our white, wholemeal and seeded market-leading loaves, as well as Kingsmill 50/50, the nation’s favourite Healthier White, and our delicious pancakes, crumpets, hot cross buns and other bakery products.

The success of our business depends on us having the right people on the team. We are incredibly passionate about our business, but it isn’t for the faint-hearted – it’s pacey and demanding so our people need to have a positive attitude and to want to work inclusively. We take massive pride in what we do, not least in how colleagues based in our bakeries and depots have one of the best safety performance records in the industry.

Our Grocery Service Centre, based near Liverpool, is a hub for transactional activity across multiple ABF companies within the ABF Grocery division. Supporting some of our well-known brands such as Kingsmill, Pataks, Blue Dragon, Jordans, Ryvita and Silver Spoon, amongst others. We deliver Shared Service activities across a wide range of disciplines including Customer Services, Consumer Care, Finance, Payroll, HR and IS.

If you’re looking to join a business that is passionate, encourages you to be the best you can be, and values its people, we’d love to hear from you.

Overview Of Role Location: West Bromwich

As a Planning Coordinator, you’ll play a key role in ensuring our bakery production and distribution plans run smoothly and efficiently. Working within the Planning Team, you’ll help balance customer demand, production capacity, and operational efficiency to make sure the right products are made, at the right time, and delivered to the right place.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys problem-solving, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and takes pride in keeping things running like clockwork.

Key Accountabilities Daily Planning: Support the creation and execution of production and distribution plans to meet customer orders and delivery deadlines.

Scheduling: Coordinate production schedules, taking into account labour, materials, and equipment availability.

Data Management: Maintain accurate records within planning systems (SAP / planning software) ensuring stock, forecasts, and performance data are up to date.

Communication: Act as a key link between Production, Engineering, Distribution, and Customer Service to ensure seamless communication.

Problem Solving: Identify and resolve short-term planning or supply issues, escalating where needed.

Continuous Improvement: Support initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and optimise planning accuracy.

Reporting: Generate and analyse performance and planning reports to support management decisions.

Compliance: Ensure all plans and activities meet safety, quality, and food compliance standards.

The Right Person You’ll bring strong organisational skills, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to juggle multiple priorities under pressure. You’ll be comfortable working with data, systems, and people across all levels of the operation.

Essential

• Previous experience in planning, scheduling, or logistics (ideally within manufacturing, FMCG, or supply chain).
• Strong IT skills – especially Excel and planning/ERP systems (SAP experience desirable).
• Excellent communication and coordination skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving mindset.
• Team player with a proactive, can-do attitude.

Desirable

• Experience in food manufacturing or fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).
• Understanding of production processes, stock control, and demand planning.