Materials, Planning And Logistics Assistant

Manpower; Harwell; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

This Material, Planning and Logistics Assistant role in the UK coordinates customer orders, production schedules and deliveries to ensure on-time performance. You will maintain data, monitor progress and communicate with customers and internal teams.

The position requires planning, logistics, and admin experience, with strong Excel skills and Lean knowledge. Salary is £30k+ depending on experience, with 25 days holiday and office-based, Monday–Friday 8:00am–4:00pm.

Qualifications

• Experience in planning, logistics or order processing in a similar role.
• Experience liaising with customers and coordinating delivery requirements.
• Understanding of production planning, stock availability and delivery priorities.
• Strong organisational skills with ability to manage changing deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced Excel skills: formulas, filtering and reporting.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to analyse information and escalate issues appropriately.
• Good English and maths, or equivalent experience.
• Manufacturing environment experience (engineering, surface finishing or similar).
• Experience with Sage or other ERP/order management systems.
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and maintaining daily and weekly production schedules.
• Creating and updating work orders in Sage and Live Orders.
• Checking material availability and escalating shortages or capacity constraints.
• Monitoring production progress and supporting priority changes.
• Providing customers with updates on order status and delivery schedules.
• Coordinating planned collections and deliveries with warehouse and transport teams.
• Producing daily production and delivery reports, highlighting variances.
• Supporting the MP&L Manager and covering agreed responsibilities when required.

Skills

Planning

Customer liaison

Production planning

Organisation

Communication

Excel

Attention to detail

Problem solving

English and Maths

Manufacturing experience

Sage

Lean / CI

Education

Planning / Logistics / Business Admin / Manufacturing qualification

Tools

Sage/ERP system

Job description

Are you highly organised, customer-focused and confident managing multiple priorities?

My client that values safety, sustainability, and continuous improvement in Bicester are looking for a Material, Planning and Logistics Assistant to join their team supporting production planning, customer orders and logistics activities to ensure excellent on-time delivery performance.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with planning, logistics, manufacturing administration experience or order processing experience who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same.

The Role

Reporting to the MP&L Manager, you will play a key role in coordinating customer orders, production schedules and deliveries. You will ensure accurate data is maintained within our systems, monitor production progress and communicate effectively with both customers and internal teams.

Key responsibilities include:

• Preparing and maintaining daily and weekly production schedules.
• Creating and updating work orders within Sage and Live Orders.
• Checking material availability and escalating any shortages or capacity constraints.
• Monitoring production progress and supporting priority changes when required.
• Providing customers with updates on order status and delivery schedules.
• Coordinating planned collections and deliveries with warehouse and transport teams.
• Producing daily production and delivery reports, highlighting any variances.
• Supporting the MP&L Manager and providing cover for agreed responsibilities when required.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Experience in planning, logistics, order processing or a similar administrative role.
• Experience liaising with customers and coordinating delivery requirements.
• Understanding of production planning, stock availability and delivery priorities.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage changing deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Good Excel skills, including formulas, filtering and reporting.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to analyse information, identify issues and escalation concerns appropriately.
• Good standard of English and mathematics or equivalent practical experience.
• Qualification in Planning, Logistics, Business Administration or Manufacturing.
• Experience within a manufacturing, engineering, surface finishing or similar production environment.
• Experience using Sage or another ERP/order management system.
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement principles.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and solutions focused.
• Calm and adaptable when priorities change.
• Reliable, conscientious and accountable.
• Self-motivated and eager to learn.
• Collaborative and a positive team player.
• Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to quality.
• Aware of the impact planning decisions have on customers, production and logistics activities.

Why Join Us?

This role offers the opportunity to become a key part of a busy manufacturing operation where you're planning and coordination skills have a direct impact on customer satisfaction and business performance. You'll work alongside experienced colleagues in a supportive environment with opportunities to develop your skills and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Salary offered is £30k+ depending on experience, 25 days holiday which increases over time, Monday - Friday 8.00am - 4.00pm, Office based.