A leading manufacturing company in the FMCG sector is seeking a detail-oriented Production Planner / Stock Controller to join their Cape town based team. The ideal candidate will coordinate production schedules, monitor stock levels, and support the production and warehouse teams to ensure efficient workflow and timely order fulfillment.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Production Planning & Scheduling
  • Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly production plans based on confirmed orders, stock levels, and forecasted demand.
  • Schedule and allocate work orders to production lines, including filleting, portioning, marination, cooking, freezing, smoking, and packaging.
  • Ensure production schedules are realistic and achievable considering labour, equipment, and raw material availability.
  • Update plans to address changes in demand, machine downtime, or material constraints.

• Inventory & Stock Control
  • Track raw materials, packaging, and finished goods to ensure availability for production.
  • Liaise with procurement, stores, and quality departments to maintain accurate inventory and readiness of materials.
  • Ensure production runs align with stock rotation principles (FIFO/FEFO) and track material consumption for shortages, overuse, or waste.

• Communication & Team Coordination
  • Communicate daily and weekly production plans clearly to supervisors and team leaders.
  • Participate in daily production meetings to provide updates on plan adherence, yield results, and schedule deviations.
  • Coordinate with dispatch and logistics teams to meet timelines and export requirements.

• Process Improvement & Compliance
  • Support workflow optimization and efficient production processes.
  • Apply knowledge of HACCP, GMP, and traceability systems to ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards.
  • Monitor production metrics to identify inefficiencies and propose improvements.

• Administrative & Reporting
  • Maintain accurate records of production schedules, stock levels, and material usage.
  • Provide reports and insights to management to support planning and operational decisions.

Minimum Requirements

• Grade 12 / Matric (essential); Certificate or Diploma in Production, Supply Chain, or related field advantageous.

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in production planning or stock control within a manufacturing environment.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and ERP systems; Sage/Addpac knowledge beneficial.

• Understanding of manufacturing processes, inventory control, and cold chain handling.

• Knowledge or training in HACCP, GMP, or food safety standards preferred.

• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills with attention to detail.

• Ability to work under pressure, adapt to changing priorities, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Ready to take on a pivotal role in driving production efficiency and inventory control?

RPO Recruitment can help you secure your next opportunity.
Send your CV to manufacturing@rpo-recruit.za.com or visit rporecruitment.co.za

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 3 days. Otherwise, we’ll keep your details on file for future roles.