Job Description

VACANCY: Supply Chain Planning & Optimisation Coordinator

A fast paced, FSA accredited, successful family run, wholesale bakery serving the needs of the retail, food service and hospitality industry as well as regional and national distributors in South Africa. We specialise in a range of artisan breads, rolls and buns, brioche, croissants and Danish pastries, doughnuts as well as a range of small confectionery products. Our unique range of thaw and serve, parbaked and convenience products aim to make operations simple for the end user whilst still delivering a high quality, consistent product. Our vision is to be a recognized supplier of premium bakery products in South Africa and the first-choice partner in our sector by 2028.

Are you a forward-thinking, systems-minded planner who blends engineering thinking with practical production insight?

Analytical, proactive, and collaborative, you thrive on solving complex challenges, improving flow, and helping teams make smarter, data-driven decisions across the internal supply chain. Join us and contribute to a growing business with a clear vision for the future.

Purpose

Improve and coordinate supply chain effectiveness -- across procurement/stores, production, packing, warehousing, despatch, and maintenance -- with a strong focus on end-to-end planning. This includes long-term forecasting, medium-term capacity alignment, and daily production scheduling, ensuring alignment with sales demand, cost targets, and operational efficiency. The role also drives process, machinery, and staffing optimisation, while leading the digitalisation, automation, and AI integration of supply chain processes, with production as the primary priority.

Key Responsibilities

End-to-End Planning:

Lead long-, medium-, and short-term production planning; convert strategy and sales forecasts into practical production plans.

Systems & Digital Integration:

Develop digital/automated tools for planning, scheduling, monitoring, and reporting; advance the use of AI to optimise decisions and performance.

Operational Optimisation:

Apply industrial engineering and lean methods to improve flow, reduce waste, and eliminate bottlenecks.

Project Coordination:

Establish structured project planning and manage improvement initiatives from concept to completion.

Cost & Performance Analysis:

Work with Cost & Management Accounting to model, track, and improve production costs and cost/value ratios.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Ensure coordinated information flow with Sales, Procurement, Finance, HR, and SHEQ.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement:

Research and champion new technologies, automation, and AI in bakery manufacturing. Lead improvement and innovation forums.

Policy & SOP Alignment:

Develop, maintain, and monitor Production Policies, SOPs, and performance indicators.

Key Competencies

Strong analytical and conceptual planning skills Excellent problem-solving and operational planning capability Understanding of bakery or food production processes, costing, and quality Proficiency in production systems, data analysis, and digital integration Clear, effective communication and cross-functional facilitation

Qualifications

Preferred:

Industrial Engineering degree

Also accepted:

Mechanical, Chemical, or Electrical Engineering degree (or equivalent)

Experience:

3-5 years in production management, planning, or analysis (ideally food manufacturing) Experience with automation, digitalisation, and continuous improvement Alternatively:Production Management diploma + 8+ years relevant planning experience

How to apply:

Should you wish to apply, kindly forward your CV to Maloryb@pieintheskybakery.co.za

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person