Defence Manufacturing Planner: Strategic Scheduling & SAP

TXM Recruit; Houghton Conquest; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

TXM Recruit is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Planner to support the manufacture and delivery of complex, high-value products within a leading defence and advanced-engineering environment in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. You will create and maintain detailed production schedules and six-week capacity forecasts using SAP to optimise labour, machinery and materials.

Working with Production, Engineering and Supply Chain teams, you will identify constraints, maintain material readiness and ensure

Qualifications

• Experience in production planning within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong SAP Production Planning and Material Control knowledge.
• Experience with capacity planning and production scheduling.
• Ability to interpret Integrated Master Schedules into achievable plans.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Structured, proactive approach to competing programme priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed production schedules across programmes.
• Identify planning risks and capacity constraints; escalate as needed.
• Produce six-week capacity plans for labour, machinery and skills.
• Collaborate with Production and Engineering to improve throughput.
• Coordinate schedules with machine maintenance and availability.
• Interpret IMS to align capability with requirements.
• Lead LO BiM reviews and engage stakeholders to improve delivery.
• Support daily/weekly planning reviews and track progress.
• Manage SAP demand and planning activities through projects.
• Monitor material availability and readiness for delivery.
• Provide data to bids and Basis of Estimate development.
• Maintain accurate planning data and reporting.

Skills

Production planning

SAP PP

Material control

Capacity planning

Resource management

Production scheduling

MS Excel

Stakeholder management

Communication

Problem-solving

Organisational skills

Tools

SAP Production Planning

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Project

Job description

TXM Recruit is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Planner to support the manufacture and delivery of complex, high-value products within a leading defence and advanced-engineering environment in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. You will create and maintain detailed production schedules and six-week capacity forecasts using SAP to optimise labour, machinery and materials.

Working with Production, Engineering and Supply Chain teams, you will identify constraints, maintain material readiness and ensure