Head of Supply Chain Planning and Systems

Thales; Crawley; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Car cash allowance

4 day week

28 days annual leave

Volunteer hours

Job summary

Thales in Crawley, United Kingdom, seeks a Head of Planning and Logistics to lead the strategy, governance, and performance of planning and logistics activities across the UK operation. You will ensure seamless flow of materials, information and resources from suppliers to customers, enabling delivery commitments and operational excellence.

The role emphasises Lean transformation, capability development, and cross-functional collaboration with Procurement, Manufacturing, Engineering, and

Qualifications

• Senior leadership in multi-site supply chains with industrial/manufacturing focus.
• Expertise in MRP2, ERP systems, and data-driven decision-making.
• Strong knowledge of planning, production, repair, and logistics flows.
• Proven track record leading change and transformation.
• Experience applying Lean and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Planning function and associated governance, ensuring alignment with operational and strategic objectives.
• Deliver robust Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), developing viable and resilient supply plans.
• Oversee the planning of all materials and resources in support of company operating plans.
• Drive the implementation and governance of MRP2 best practices and ERP-enabled planning processes.
• Ensure effective supply chain analysis and performance insight to support decision-making.
• Lead and optimise logistics operations, including 3PL/4PL partner relationships where applicable.
• Manage inventory strategy and flows, from goods receipt through to despatch.
• Support production and repair units to meet delivery, capacity, and performance commitments.
• Contribute to the strategic evolution of supply chain capabilities, including investment, tools, and processes.
• Embed a culture of Lean thinking and continuous improvement, reducing lead times, WIP, and inventory.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration to ensure alignment across Procurement, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Projects.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks and business requirements across all logistics flows.

Skills

MRP2

ERP systems

Data-driven decisions

Lean principles

Change leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

APICS certification

Tools

ERP/MES systems

Job description

Location: Crawley, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Head of Planning and Logistics

Together, we shape the world around us

At Thales, we bring together brilliant people from around the world to design and deliver innovative solutions that make tomorrow possible across aerospace, defence, digital identity, and security.

We are looking for a Head of Planning and Logistics to lead a critical function at the heart of our Industrial and Supply Chain operations. This is an opportunity to play a key leadership role in delivering operational excellence, enabling customer success, and shaping the future of our UK supply chain capability.

The role

As Head of Planning and Logistics, you will lead the strategy, governance, and performance of planning and logistics activities, ensuring the seamless flow of materials, information, and resources from suppliers through to customers.

You will champion the professionalisation of planning and logistics, driving best practice, continuous improvement, and capability development while empowering teams to operate with autonomy and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Planning function and associated governance, ensuring alignment with operational and strategic objectives
• Deliver robust Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), developing viable and resilient supply plans
• Oversee the planning of all materials and resources in support of company operating plans
• Drive the implementation and governance of MRP2 best practices and ERP-enabled planning processes
• Ensure effective supply chain analysis and performance insight to support decision-making
• Lead and optimise logistics operations, including 3PL/4PL partner relationships where applicable
• Manage inventory strategy and flows, from goods receipt through to despatch
• Support production and repair units to meet delivery, capacity, and performance commitments
• Contribute to the strategic evolution of supply chain capabilities, including investment, tools, and processes
• Embed a culture of Lean thinking and continuous improvement, reducing lead times, WIP, and inventory
• Lead cross-functional collaboration to ensure alignment across Procurement, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Projects
• Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks and business requirements across all logistics flows

About You

You are a strategic, collaborative leader who brings both technical expertise and a passion for developing people and improving systems.

Skills And Expertise

• Deep understanding of complex, multi-site supply chain environments
• Expertise in MRP2, ERP systems, and data-driven decision-making
• Strong knowledge of planning, production, repair, and logistics flows
• Proven ability to lead teams through change and transformation
• Experience applying Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to translate strategic priorities into practical, deliverable outcomes

Experience

• Proven success in a senior planning or supply chain leadership role within an industrial or manufacturing environment
• Experience of inventory optimisation and flow management
• Strong track record in ERP/MES implementation and improvement
• Experience delivering change, transformation, and performance improvement initiatives
• End-to-end understanding of supply chain disciplines

Qualifications

• APICS certification (or willingness to achieve)

Our values

At Thales, our behaviours guide everything we do:

• Think Big – shaping the future and anticipating tomorrow’s challenges
• Make It Happen – delivering value for our customers with agility and accountability
• Together – growing ourselves and others while embracing diversity and inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer.

What We Offer

• A role with real purpose and impact, supporting critical national and global programmes
• Opportunities to develop your career within a global organisation
• A collaborative, innovative environment where your ideas are valued C
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits
• Performance-related bonus (grade dependent)
• Car cash allowance (grade dependent)
• 4 day week
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
• 24 hours volunteering paid for
• Private healthcare
• Pension scheme
• Life cover
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts