Lead Production Planner

James Fisher and Sons plc; Elrick; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Early finish on Fridays

Private Medical Insurance

Company Pension

Life Assurance

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

James Fisher and Sons plc is seeking a Lead Production Planner in the Westhill area to drive planning excellence across UK sites. You will develop robust schedules using MRP outputs and coordinate with Production, Procurement, and Engineering to ensure on-time delivery.

The role requires extensive production planning experience in manufacturing, strong data analysis, and leadership to build high-performing teams while championing continuous improvement across the business.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in production planning in a complex manufacturing setup
• Strong analytical skills to interpret data and derive actions
• Expert knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and master data management
• Advanced Excel or similar analytical tools for forecasting and capacity planning
• Proven leadership for building/high-performing teams and continuous improvement
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management at all levels
• Understanding of manufacturing operations, capacity planning and supply chain processes
• Ability to balance strategic planning with day-to-day priorities
• Proactive problem-solving to resolve complex challenges
• Passion for continuous improvement and delivery reliability
• Strong organizational skills with multi-priority management

Responsibilities

• Lead the UK Production Planning team, optimise scheduling performance and align across sites
• Escalate and resolve planning challenges to minimise disruption
• Own planning KPIs and drive improvements in delivery and operational maturity
• Develop and maintain robust production schedules using MRP outputs
• Collaborate with Production, Procurement, Engineering and other stakeholders to ensure schedule adherence
• Monitor production performance, identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions
• Analyse planning and operational data to improve forecast accuracy and capacity
• Create, release and manage complex works orders with high accuracy and traceability
• Maintain MRP master data to keep planning systems reliable and fit for purpose
• Produce capacity analysis and KPI reporting for strategic decisions
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to standardise processes
• Build relationships with internal and external customers and provide updates
• Coach and develop planners and colleagues for capability and consistency

Skills

Production planning

Data analysis

ERP/MRP systems

Excel

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Tools

ERP/MRP software

Job description

About the Role

Lead Production Planner

Full-Time, Permanent

Westhill, Aberdeen

Please note that this role requires security checks.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead the UK Production Planning team, driving planning excellence, optimising scheduling performance and ensuring alignment across sites.
• Act as the key escalation point for planning-related challenges, resolving issues quickly to minimise disruption and maintain operational continuity.
• Take ownership of planning KPIs, continuously improving delivery performance, planning effectiveness and operational maturity.
• Develop and maintain robust production schedules, using MRP outputs to balance demand, capacity and business priorities.
• Collaborate closely with Production, Procurement, Engineering and other key stakeholders to ensure schedule adherence, manage risks and support efficient delivery.
• Monitor production performance, identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions to improve workflow, efficiency and on-time delivery.
• Analyse planning and operational data to improve forecast accuracy, optimise resource utilisation and strengthen capacity planning capabilities.
• Create, release and manage complex works orders, ensuring high levels of accuracy, traceability and planning integrity.
• Maintain and continuously improve MRP master data, ensuring planning systems remain reliable, accurate and fit for purpose.
• Produce meaningful capacity analysis and KPI reporting, providing insights that support informed operational and strategic decision-making.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance planning processes, standardise ways of working and drive operational performance.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external customers, providing timely updates and professional support.
• Coach, mentor and develop planners and operational colleagues, fostering capability, consistency and a culture of continuous improvement.

What we’re looking for:

• Extensive experience in production planning within a complex manufacturing environment, with a proven track record of delivering operational and customer-focused results.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data, identify trends and translate insights into actionable plans.
• Expert knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, including production planning, master data management and process optimisation.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel or equivalent analytical tools, with experience in forecasting, capacity planning and scenario modelling.
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to develop high-performing teams, drive accountability and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence and collaborate at all levels of the organisation.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, production constraints, capacity planning and end-to-end supply chain processes.
• Ability to balance strategic planning objectives with day-to-day operational priorities in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to identify risks, resolve complex challenges and drive positive outcomes.
• Passion for continuous improvement, with experience implementing initiatives that enhance planning performance, efficiency and delivery reliability.
• Strong organisational skills, capable of managing multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

Why join us?

• Early finish on Fridays
• Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience (Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to work scheme, Company Pension, etc.)
• Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility
• Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions
• Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation, and global operations

About Us:

James Fisher is a global engineering services company operating across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transportation. With a strong heritage in maritime operations, we now deliver innovative solutions in challenging environments. Our One James Fisher strategy is focused on building a unified, sustainable business within the Blue Economy, driving progress through technology, expertise, and collaboration.

Visit our website at: Home | James Fisher and Sons plc. For more information about our values and behaviours, follow the link: About us | James Fisher and Sons plc

James Fisher Defence (JFD), part of the James Fisher Group, is a global leader in underwater capability, delivering cutting-edge diving, submarine rescue, and hyperbaric solutions to both commercial and defence markets. Operating worldwide, JFD is the foremost provider of submarine rescue services and a trusted name in submarine escape training. We’re also at the forefront of hyperbaric rescue innovation and a leading supplier of advanced diving equipment and saturation systems across the industry. Explore more about JFD

At James Fisher and Sons, we are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success is driven by the talent and diversity of our workforce.

To support an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience in the UK, we partner with Vercida. You can learn more about our approach by visiting our company page: James Fisher and Sons diversity, inclusion, culture - VERCIDA