Planner/Works Programmer

Mears Group; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Sick Pay

Life Assurance (2x annual salary)

Pension contributions (employer)

Job summary

Mears Group in Tonbridge is seeking a proactive Planner to join the local repairs team. You will schedule repairs, allocate work to operatives and subcontractors, and ensure timely, high-quality completions while keeping residents updated.

The role requires strong planning, IT literacy, and a customer-focused approach to maintain service standards and health & safety compliance. Full-time permanent position with an attractive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Experience in planning, scheduling or coordination in repairs/maintenance or similar.
• GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent).
• Experience in fast-paced, customer-focused environments.
• Good IT skills with scheduling/appointment systems.

Responsibilities

• Schedule and plan repair works to use operatives and resources efficiently.
• Use MCM to manage appointments, update job statuses and monitor progress.
• Track overdue tasks and support KPIs.
• Coordinate operatives and subcontractors to complete jobs on time and with needed materials.
• Communicate with residents to provide updates and manage expectations.
• Identify and escalate operational issues as required.
• Attend meetings and training sessions as required.

Skills

Planning & scheduling

Communication

Time management

Organisational skills

Customer focus

Education

GCSE English & Maths

Tools

MCM system

PDA

Subcontractor portals

Job management systems

Job description

Annual salary: up to £30,458.75 Planner Location: Tonbridge Full time / Permanent Salary: £30,458.75 Hours: 42.5 hours Monday - Friday MPS has been looking after residents’ homes for over 25 years. As part of the Mears Group, we focus on estate management and property maintenance, delivering tailored solutions that support people and communities. We provide a wide range of services; including responsive repairs, planned works, and cyclical maintenance to over 100 local authorities and housing providers across the UK. One of our key partners is Orbit, a major housing provider in the Midlands, East Anglia, and the South East, managing over 45,000 homes. Together, MPS and Orbit ensure residents receive timely, high-quality repairs and maintenance, with a strong emphasis on customer care, safety, and long-term value.

About the role

We are looking for an organised and proactive Planner to join our local repairs team. You will play an important role in ensuring repairs are scheduled efficiently, work is allocated to operatives, and jobs are completed promptly and to a high standard. Acting as a key point of contact between residents, operatives, subcontractors and colleagues, you will help deliver a customer-focused and responsive repairs service.

Duties

• Schedule and plan repair works to ensure efficient use of operatives and resources
• Use the MCM system to manage appointments, update job statuses and monitor progress
• Track overdue tasks and support the team in meeting performance targets and KPIs
• Coordinate operatives and subcontractors to ensure jobs are completed on time and fully equipped
• Communicate effectively with residents to provide updates and manage expectations
• Support the repairs team by identifying and escalating operational issues where required
• Monitor workloads and assist with planning cover for absences and holidays
• Allocate work to subcontractors and raise material orders in line with procurement procedures
• Ensure accurate use of IT systems, including PDAs and subcontractor portals
• Maintain clear and accurate records across all systems
• Deliver a professional, courteous and customer-focused service at all times
• Adhere to health and safety requirements and company policies
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure service delivery standards are met
• Support company procedures, maintain company assets and provide cover for other planners when required
• Attend meetings and training sessions as required

Role Criteria

• Experience working in a planning, scheduling or coordination role within repairs and maintenance or a similar environment
• GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths
• Experience working in a fast-paced, reactive and customer-focused environment
• Good IT skills with the ability to use job management, scheduling and appointment systems
• Strong time management and organisational skills, with good attention to detail
• Clear and confident communication skills, both written and verbal
• A customer-focused approach with the ability to manage queries and challenging situations professionally
• An understanding of repairs and maintenance processes
• Experience planning and scheduling multi-trade repairs using an ICT appointment or job management system

Benefits

• Company Sick Pay
• Life Assurance (2x annual salary)
• 5% employee and 3% employer pension contribution with People pension
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity (14 weeks full pay, 12 weeks half pay and 13 weeks statutory pay), paternity (2 weeks full pay) and adoption leave
• Employee Assistance Programme - free confidential support and counselling available
• Mears Rewards offering discounts and cashback at leading retailers including travel, household items and shopping
• Annual Mears Fun Day - Our annual Fun Day is organised as a massive thank you from the Executive team for all the hard work!
• Volunteering leave – up to two days per year to support community initiatives
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Share save scheme
• Recognition and long service awards
• Buy up to 5 days holiday each year depending on length of service
• Learning and development opportunities
• Career progression opportunities across Mears Group
• Occupational health support
• Green car scheme with Tusker after successful probation period
• Internal forums align with our company core values and beliefs including Mears Men, Women’s Health, Pride at Mears, R.E.A.C.H, Women Operative support, Armed Forces, Women in Leadership, Diverse

All our roles require candidates to have the entitlement to work within the UK, Mears does not currently offer visa sponsorship. Candidates should be aware that all our roles are subject to relevant Background, Identity & Security checks before commencement of employment.

At Mears Group, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, we are a Disability Confident employer, valuing individuality and ensuring equal opportunities for all. We proudly support the Armed Forces Covenant and are honoured to have achieved the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) to coincide with this, we hold an Endorser Award for the Career Transition Partnership, recognising our commitment to veterans transitioning into civilian careers. In our continued effort to promote social mobility, we invite applicants to voluntarily share their background information during the application stages to help us better understand the diverse experiences of our candidates. This is to ensure we are committed to improving social mobility. We use the Social Mobility Index to assess and enhance opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds. These questions are optional and will not impact your ability to apply. We are the people behind the smile! At Mears we look for people who share our vision and values - to make a positive difference to the communities we serve. We do this by improving homes, improving communities and improving lives. We are proud of our business and the opportunities we provide to colleagues working across the UK. Our Values - Customers / Innovation / Teamwork / Responsibility