Manufacturing Production Planner

Kurt J Lesker; Rother; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in advanced manufacturing is seeking a Manufacturing Production Planner to ensure seamless operations at their European headquarters. In this critical role, you will plan and monitor manufacturing schedules, collaborate with various teams, and analyze delivery data to enhance performance. The ideal candidate will have experience in manufacturing processes and strong organizational skills. This position offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits, including generous leave and continuous learning opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Matched pension up to 5%

Health Cash Plan

Income protection insurance

Cycle to work scheme

Enhanced maternity/paternity pay

Continuous learning and development

Corporate wellness and charity events

Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing including welding, fabricating, and machining.
• Ability to work with ERP capacity planning tools.
• Experience in the Vacuum Science Industry is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain daily production schedules for the Machine Shop.
• Develop and maintain Master Production Schedule.
• Provide production/shipping performance updates.
• Analyze delivery data to improve on-time delivery.
• Recommend optimum lot sizes based on customer demand.

Skills

Strong organisational skills

Strong people skills

Effective communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Self-motivated

Multitasking

Education

HNC in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

Job description

As the Manufacturing Production Planner, you will play a key role in ensuring our operations run seamlessly. Your responsibilities include planning, updating, and monitoring the manufacturing schedule by aligning product shipment dates with customer expectations, material delivery timelines, and available manufacturing resources. In this role, you will collaborate closely with Manufacturing Product Specialists, Purchasing, Engineering, and Quality teams to drive efficient production, meet delivery commitments, and uphold customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accuracy of the daily production schedules for the Machine Shop to set achievable targets
• Use ERP capacity planning tools to make necessary recommendations to the EMEIA Manufacturing Manager to maintain on time delivery
• Develop and maintain Master Production Schedule to ensure past due orders are minimized
• Provide daily production/shipping performance updates against established goal
• Develop sales and operation planning reports which include current and future demand
• Continuously monitor production capacity and load to maintain on time delivery
• Establish delivery dates at the time of order acceptance
• Estimate production lead time for each order considering the availability of machines, materials, tooling, number of operations involved, manufacturing backlog, order quantity, complexity of product, outside operations, previous history, etc.
• Recommend optimum lot sizes considering production processes and customer demand
• Analyse delivery data for ways to continuously improve on time delivery
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing including but not limited to welding, fabricating, and machining of multiple materials or equivalent experience.
• Self‑motivated and able to multitask.
• Strong people skills.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Demonstrates good problem solving skills.
• Effective communication skills.

Preferred but not essential

• Experience in manufacturing within the Vacuum Science Industry
• HNC in Mechanical Engineering or above or equivalent working experience in a manufacturing related field.

Would you like to be part of a team that is enabling technology for a better world? Kurt J. Lesker could be the place for you! We are looking for a Manufacturing Production Planner to join us at the Kurt J. Lesker Company at our European headquarters based in St. Leonards, East Sussex. Kurt J. Lesker Company (KJLC) is a global leader in advanced manufacturing, delivering high-performance vacuum products and systems that power innovation across semiconductor, aerospace, medical, and optical industries. With over 70 years of expertise, we're trusted by some of the world's most critical sectors to support the development of next‑generation technologies. We're proud to be recognised for our commitment to sustainability, ethical practices, and a workplace culture that values excellence.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Matched pension up to 5%
• Health Cash Plan offering £600 per annum towards your standard healthcare costs for both you and your family, plus access to a free 24‑hour doctor service
• Income protection insurance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced maternity/paternity pay
• Continuous learning and development through in‑depth training
• Corporate, wellness and charity events throughout the year with the option to earn an extra day of annual leave