Lead Production Planner: Planning Excellence

James Fisher and Sons plc; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Life Assurance

Cycle to work scheme

Company Pension

Job summary

James Fisher and Sons plc is seeking a Lead Production Planner in Westhill, Aberdeen. You will lead the UK Planning team, optimise schedules across sites, and ensure on‑time delivery while maintaining strong stakeholder collaboration and data‑driven improvement.

Role requires security checks and a proactive, problem‑solving mindset to balance demand, capacity and operational priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in production planning within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret data, identify trends and translate insights into actionable plans.
• ERP/MRP systems knowledge, including production planning, master data management and process optimisation.
• Advanced Excel or equivalent analytical tools, with forecasting, capacity planning and scenario modelling.
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to develop high‑performing teams and drive continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across all levels of the organisation.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, capacity planning and end‑to‑end supply chain processes.
• Ability to balance strategic planning objectives with day‑to‑day priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proactive and solutions‑focused approach to identify risks and resolve complex challenges.

Responsibilities

• Lead the UK Production Planning team, driving planning excellence and aligning across sites.
• Act as the escalation point for planning challenges, resolving issues quickly to minimise disruption.
• Own planning KPIs and continuously improve delivery performance and planning maturity.
• Develop and maintain robust production schedules using MRP outputs to balance demand and capacity.
• Collaborate with Production, Procurement, Engineering and other stakeholders to ensure schedule adherence.
• Monitor production performance, identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions to improve on‑time delivery.
• Analyse planning data to improve forecast accuracy and capacity planning capabilities.
• Create, release and manage complex works orders with traceability and planning integrity.
• Maintain and improve MRP master data for reliable planning systems.
• Produce capacity analyses and KPI reporting to inform operational and strategic decisions.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to standardise ways of working and drive performance.
• Build relationships with internal and external customers and provide timely updates.
• Coach and develop planners and operational colleagues to foster capability and a culture of improvement.

Job description

James Fisher and Sons plc is seeking a Lead Production Planner in Westhill, Aberdeen. You will lead the UK Planning team, optimise schedules across sites, and ensure on‑time delivery while maintaining strong stakeholder collaboration and data‑driven improvement.

Role requires security checks and a proactive, problem‑solving mindset to balance demand, capacity and operational priorities in a fast‑paced environment.