Production Planner

The Country Chef Bakery Co. is seeking an engaging, experienced and hands‑on Production Planner to join our team at our Bells Creek site. We’re looking for a proactive, detail‑oriented professional who enjoys structure, data, and problem‑solving — but also thrives in a fast‑paced environment where things can change by the hour. Country Chef’s recipe for success has transformed us from a small family run start‑up in the 1950’s, to one of Australia’s leading bakery businesses with partnerships that include Australia’s major retailers. As we move into a new and exciting stage in the Country Chef story there’s one ingredient we cannot do without … our fantastic people About This Opportunity The Production Planner will work cross‑functionally withProcurement, Sales, Warehouse, Quality, and Manufacturing teams to translate forecasts into actionable production plans that maximise efficiency and minimise downtime — keeping our plant running seamlessly. Planning & Scheduling Develop detaileddaily, weekly, and monthly production plans in line with demand forecasts, finished goods inventory targets, and labour availability. Coordinate daily with Demand planner, logistics and sales to identify issues and apply early intervention strategies while engaging inclusively with other functions to provide timely and integrated solutions to drive efficiencies. Adjust and re‑sequence plans dynamically to accommodate breakdowns, delays, urgent customer orders, or material shortages. Optimise changeover times and batch sizes to reduce downtime and waste while maintaining product quality. Collaborate with the S&OP team to align production capacity with forecasted demand across all product lines. Deliver to budget, consistently reviewing and analysing Production Planning data to respond to potential and real barriers to meeting budget targets. Materials & Capacity Management Oversee the Purchasing Officer and work closely with theProcurement team to ensure raw materials and packaging availability aligns with production needs. Analyse equipment capacity, run rates, and lead times to identify potential bottlenecks or constraints. Operational Coordination Attend daily Operations meetings to provide visibility on plans, priorities, and material readiness. Communicate clearly with the Manufacturing Manager and Production Supervisors on daily targets, sequencing, and changes. Support NPD (new product development) and seasonal launches with accurate trial planning and material readiness. Liaise with Quality and Maintenance teams to schedule necessary line validations, cleaning, or maintenance windows. What You’ll Bring Minimum 3+ years’ experience inproduction planning, or production scheduling within FMCG food manufacturing. Experience working withmajor retail supply chains (Coles, Woolworths, Aldi) an advantage. Strong knowledge ofERP systems (NetSuite, or similar). A solid understanding of manufacturing capacity, lead times, and material flow. High‑level Excel and data analysis skills for reporting and forecasting. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across operations and leadership levels. A collaborative approach, with the confidence to challenge and the flexibility to adapt. Solid knowledge of SharePoint, Power BI and advancements in AI technologies Why Join Us Full time permanent position with an established national business on the Sunshine Coast. Supportive and inclusive team culture. Flexible hours. Take home up to two items of product a day, on us Monthly Team BBQ's. Access to our Employee Assistance Program Free parking. If this sounds like you – APPLY NOW We foster an inclusive equal employment opportunity culture, celebrating diversity in all its hues. #J-18808-Ljbffr