Capacity Planning Manager

Thames Water; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

A major utility service provider is seeking a Capacity Planning Manager to lead a team in enhancing resource management and operational performance. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills and experience in capacity planning and team leadership. This role offers a competitive salary and a range of benefits, including performance-related pay and generous holiday entitlement. The position is based in Reading with a hybrid working model.

Benefits

Competetive salary

Performance-related pay plan

Generous Pension Scheme

Health and wellbeing benefits

26 days holiday, increasing to 30

Qualifications

• Experience leading and managing a team with performance management.
• Strong understanding of capacity planning levers and metrics.
• Background in operational planning or field management is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach a team of analysts for performance improvement.
• Build relationships with operational teams across sectors.
• Produce demand and capacity forecasts to shape strategy.

Skills

Team leadership

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Stakeholder management

Technical skills in Excel or Power BI

Education

Degree in analytical field (Science, Maths, Geography)

Tools

Excel

Power BI

SQL

Job description

We’re looking for someone who’s passionate about turning data into action. In this role, you’ll lead a small, dedicated team to balance demand, optimise resourcing, and deliver valuable capacity-based insights across our operational areas. You’ll play a key part in ensuring that our field and office teams have the right resources at the right time, helping Thames Water deliver essential services smoothly and efficiently.

What you’ll be doing as a Capacity Planning Manager

• Leading and coaching a team of Demand and Capacity Analysts, supporting their development and performance
• Building strong relationships with operational teams across Water Production, Wastewater Treatment, and Pumping
• Producing demand and capacity forecasts, and using your insights to shape business strategy and improve performance
• Acting as a bridge between operational teams and data & insight colleagues, ensuring we use data to drive decision-making
• Reviewing and improving processes to identify smarter, more efficient ways of working
• Working as a product owner to develop and enhance reporting tools that support demand and capacity planning

What you should bring to the role

• Experience leading, coaching and managing a team, including performance management, team strategy and supporting career progression
• Experience working in a similar role focused on business improvement through data, with a good understanding of capacity planning levers and metrics
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with experience in capacity or resource planning
• Confidence working with and influencing senior stakeholders
• Solid technical skills in Excel or Power BI (SQL experience would be a plus)
• A background in operational planning, scheduling or field management would be an advantage
• A degree in an analytical field such as Science, Maths, or Geography is desirable but not essential
• Candidates with strong operational and data experience, but who may not yet have formal managerial experience, are also encouraged to apply

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary from £52,480 to £59,000 per annum depending on skills and experience
• 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
• Performance-related pay plan up to 10% of salary
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of yourself and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance

Base location: Reading, Kemble Court - RG2 6AD (hybrid: 1 day a week in the office, plus 2 team days a month)

Working hours: 36 hours per week, typically 8:00–4:00 or 9:00–5:00

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process.