Capacity Planning Manager

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Reading; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days holiday

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Job summary

Thames Water Utilities Limited is seeking a Demand and Capacity Lead to guide a small team and deliver capacity-based insights across our operational areas. You will forecast demand, optimise resources, and ensure field and office teams have what they need to perform.

You will act as product owner for reporting tools and collaborate with Water Production, Wastewater, and Pumping teams to drive data‑driven decisions.

Qualifications

• Experience leading, coaching and managing a team with performance management and career development.
• Experience in data-driven improvement through capacity planning levers and metrics.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with capacity/resource planning experience.
• Confidence influencing senior stakeholders.
• Solid technical skills in Excel or Power BI; SQL experience is a plus.
• Background in operational planning, scheduling or field management is advantageous.
• A degree in an analytical field is desirable but not essential.
• Strong operational and data experience welcomed even without formal managerial title.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach a team of Demand and Capacity Analysts and support development and performance.
• Build strong relationships with operational teams across Water Production, Wastewater Treatment and Pumping.
• Produce demand and capacity forecasts to shape business strategy and improve performance.
• Bridge between operational teams and data/insight colleagues to drive data-driven decisions.
• Review and improve processes for smarter, more efficient ways of working.
• Act as product owner to develop and enhance reporting tools for demand and capacity planning.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder influence

Analytical skills

Capacity planning

Excel/Power BI

SQL (plus)

Operational planning

Education

Analytical degree desirable

Tools

Power BI

Excel

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.

Responsibilities

• 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

Qualifications and Experience

• 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
• Strong operational and data experience, but who may not yet have formal managerial experience, are also encouraged to apply

We're the UK's largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It's a big job and we've got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you'll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you're looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people's lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we'll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family.Why choose us? Learn more.

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. If you need any adjustments, whether that's extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we're here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you'll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It's also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Salary and Benefits

• 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.
• 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.