Head of Planning & Logistics

Kaizen Talent Solutions; North East; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing company is seeking a Head of Planning & Logistics to enhance their planning and logistics functions. In this critical role, you'll lead a capable team, improve systems, and ensure optimal resource alignment to meet business goals while enjoying a competitive salary and excellent career prospects.

Benefits

Car allowance

Support for personal development

Investment in Continuous Improvement

Qualifications

• Experience in managing planning teams in manufacturing.
• Knowledge of ERP systems (IFS, SAP or equivalent) required.
• Background in lean or continuous improvement initiatives is ideal.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate Planning and Logistics teams.
• Own production planning, materials scheduling, and forecasting.
• Drive performance against OTIF targets.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Adaptability

Problem Solving

Team Orientation

Tools

ERP systems

S&OP

Finite scheduling

Job description

Are you a Planning & Logistics leader looking for an opportunity to make an impact in a well-established and innovative manufacturing business with a strong reputation for quality and customer commitment? Operating in multiple sectors, including Off-highway, automotive, bus, and aftermarket, they combine engineering & manufacturing excellence with a long-term vision for sustainable growth.

As the Head of Planning & Logistics, reporting to the MD, you’ll take full responsibility for leading and developing the planning and logistics functions. Ensuring seamless coordination between production, materials, and capacity to meet business goals. You’ll play a pivotal role in aligning resources, improving systems, and mentoring a capable team to meet high standards of performance.

Key responsibilities:

• Though your area leads, you will lead and motivate the Planning and Logistics teams, ensuring clarity, accountability, and continuous development.
• Take ownership of production planning, materials scheduling, capacity planning, and forecasting.
• Ensure planning systems and controls are consistently improved to meet evolving business needs.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels for raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
• Drive performance against OTIF targets, using root cause analysis tools (e.g., 8D, PPS) to tackle issues.
• Lead the development of our ERP/SFDC functionality with IT reporting support.
• Support cross-functional efforts during NPI (New Product Introduction) and process changes.
• Generate, track, and report on relevant KPIs, driving visibility and accountability across the function.
• Contribute to audit readiness and supplier reviews with robust planning inputs.

About you:

• A proven people leader with experience managing and developing planning teams in a manufacturing setting.
• Excellent working knowledge of ERP systems (ideally IFS, SAP, or equivalent) and planning tools such as S&OP, capacity modeling, and finite scheduling.
• Effective communicator with a proactive, team-oriented approach.
• Comfortable working with engineering and production teams, including interpreting technical drawings (GD&T).
• Adaptable and solutions-focused, ideally with experience of lean or continuous improvement initiatives.

What's on offer?

A highly competitive salary (circa £60,000-£70,000) plus car allowance, as well as the support required to help you succeed, being supported by an organization committed to Continuous Improvement and investment. You will also get the personal development you need to progress with excellent career prospects available.

Are you the one we’re looking for? Apply now by clicking the apply button or email me for more information. The shortlist date is the week commencing 14th July 2025, so if you haven’t heard back from us before then, please assume you have been unsuccessful.