Head of Planning

Fortress Recruit Limited; Poole; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortress Recruit Limited is seeking a Head of Planning in Poole to lead the MPS function and two planning teams. You will stay hands-on with ERP/MRP processes and drive improvements in planning accuracy and reliability across the organisation.

You will work closely with Production, Operations and Value Stream Managers to prioritise planning, monitor KPIs, and support a major ERP transition. Strong leadership and analytics are essential, with Power BI experience a plus.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in production planning, material planning or manufacturing operations.
• Experience leading and developing a planning team, across functions or areas.
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP and planning processes in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the MPS function, managing two planning teams for Master Planning, Scheduling and Configuration.
• Unify teams to create a consistent approach with shared accountability across the function.
• Maintain hands-on involvement in ERP/MRP processes ensuring accurate planning data.
• Review MRP outputs, project loading, production dates, routings and data to resolve issues.
• Investigate system issues and allocation challenges, implementing improvements.
• Monitor production progress, material availability and capacity, addressing delivery risks.
• Collaborate with Production, Operations and Value Stream Managers to align priorities.
• Monitor and report KPIs to stakeholders.
• Support transition to a new ERP system and prepare the planning function for implementation.
• Improve reporting and operational visibility with wider teams; utilise Power BI.
• Coach and develop team members and support succession planning.
• Drive continuous improvement across planning processes and systems.

Skills

Production planning

Material planning

ERP/MRP systems

Master Production Planning

Production scheduling

Capacity planning

Routings

Works Orders

Materials management

Power BI

Analytical skills

SC clearance eligibility

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Power BI

Job description

Fortress Recruit is supporting a leading Defence manufacturing organisation in their search for a Head of Planning to lead their MPS function, based in Poole.

This is a hands-on management role, requiring someone who can lead and develop people while remaining closely involved in the detail of production planning, system processes and operational data.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Lead and develop the MPS function, managing two planning teams with responsibility for Master Planning, Scheduling and Configuration.
• Bring the existing teams together, creating a consistent approach, communication and shared accountability across the function.
• Maintain hands-on involvement in ERP/MRP processes, ensuring systems are being used effectively and planning information is accurate.
• Review MRP outputs, project loading, production dates, routings and operational data to identify discrepancies and resolve planning issues.
• Investigate system issues and allocation challenges, identifying root causes and implementing improvements to planning accuracy and reliability.
• Monitor production progress, material availability and capacity, ensuring potential delivery risks are identified and addressed.
• Work closely with Production, Operations and Value Stream Managers to align planning priorities with business requirements.
• Monitor and report key performance indicators.
• Support the business through its planned transition to new ERP system, helping prepare the planning function and ensuring effective implementation.
• Work with wider business teams to improve reporting and operational visibility, including opportunities to utilise Power BI.
• Coach and develop team members, building capability and supporting longer-term succession within the planning function.
• Drive continuous improvement across planning processes, systems and ways of working.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Proven experience within production planning, material planning or manufacturing operations in an engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience leading and developing a planning team, ideally across multiple functions or business areas.
• Strong working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and a detailed understanding of how planning processes should operate.
• Experience with Master Production Planning, production scheduling, Works Orders, routings, capacity planning and materials management.
• The ability to investigate system and data issues, identify root causes and implement practical solutions.
• A hands-on approach, with the confidence to work at both strategic and transactional levels.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret planning data, identify inconsistencies and challenge information where necessary.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships across departments.
• Experience with ERP implementation or system migration would be advantageous. Exposure to Infor or Power BI would also be beneficial.
• Eligibility for SC clearance (5 years' UK residency with no visa or sponsorship requirement)

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Production Planning or MPS Manager to take ownership of a key business function, lead an established team and influence how planning operates across the organisation. With a major ERP transition approaching, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the development of the function and its future processes.

The role is being offered on a permanent basis, full time, 37 hours a week onsite in Poole. On offer is a competitive salary plus further training and development opportunity.