Planning & Logistics Manager

ABOUT THE ROLE

This role is based at Herbert Parkinson in Darwen, Lancashire. As the historic, heart and soul textile manufacturer for John Lewis, Herbert Parkinson blends rich heritage with modern, high-tech manufacturing to produce premium soft furnishings, curtains, and pillows. We are looking for an inspiring, analytical, and forward-thinking Planning and Logistics Manager to lead our end-to-end planning, inventory, and warehouse operations. If you are a confident leader who loves optimising processes, developing people, and putting the customer first, we want you on our team. In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of £5.25 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.

Salary - £48,600 - £72,900 

Contract type - This position is a Permanent contract.

Location - This role is located at Herbert Parkinson.

Key responsibilities:

As part of our core management team, you will be the driving force behind how materials move, resource is allocated and products are manufactured on-time and in full. You will lead a dedicated team of 9 direct reports to ensure our operations run like clockwork. By collaborating closely with commercial, supply chain, and production teams, you will directly influence our customer experience and hit vital business milestones.

You will:

• Build and manage the operational schedule. You’ll match resources, materials, and machinery capacity to keep the factory floor running at top efficiency. You will also take a lead role in working with both our internal and external customers to ensure optimal order fulfilment

• Oversee the stream of raw materials. You’ll balance stock levels to make sure we always have what we need without overstocking or running out whilst maintaining stock accuracy

• Take charge of incoming and outgoing logistics, safe storage, and picking. You will manage relationships with our transport and storage partners to guarantee timely and cost-effective shipping.

• Partner with our Finance team to look at budgets, trends, and future forecasts. You will champion our Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), making sure everyone is highly trained and working safely within ISO guidelines.

• Coach, mentor, and build up your team. You’ll help set clear goals, support personal development plans, and celebrate great work.

Essential skills/experience you’ll need:

• Proven leadership experience overseeing production planning, inventory, and warehouse logistics. 

• Experience inside a manufacturing facility, with a passion for continuous improvement and process optimisation. 

• You are highly numerate, feel comfortable using advanced IT systems, and can analyse complex data to spot patterns and make solid choices. 

• Excellent communication skills.

• Business & Results orientated

Desirable skills/experience you may have:

• Use of MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning) systems.

• Experience in planning made to order products.

#LI--JC3

Closing Date:

September 1, 2026

Pay:

£48,600.00 - £72,900.00 Annual

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours of Work:

38.75 hours a week between the hours of 6:30 - 16:45 (rota's will be discussed at interview stage)

Job Level:

Partnership Level 7

Where You'll Be Working:

Herbert Parkinson, Harvest Mill, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 0HR

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.  

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.   

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. 

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. 

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.  

Important points to note:  

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles. ​ 

We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.  

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.