Planning and Scheduling Specialist

Cadent Foundation; Willenhall; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Pension scheme 18%

25 days holiday

Extra day off

Career development

Flexible working

ED&I commitments

Family policies

Retail discounts

Gym access

Job summary

Cadent Foundation is seeking a Planning and Scheduling Specialist to lead the development and delivery of operational work plans that ensure safe, efficient and customer-focused performance across the network. This 12-month secondment will shape short-term plans while keeping long-term priorities aligned with regulatory requirements.

You will lead a specialist planning team, translate workload forecasts into practical plans, and drive improvements across the network.

Qualifications

• Leadership and people management experience – Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop teams within a fast-paced operational environment.
• Planning and scheduling expertise – Strong understanding of operational planning, resource management and workload prioritisation.
• Performance improvement experience – Ability to identify issues, understand what's driving them and implement practical solutions to improve performance.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills – Able to use data and operational information to make informed decisions and support effective planning.
• Stakeholder management skills – Experience building effective relationships across operational, planning and business support functions.
• Project and programme management knowledge – Understanding of project management principles and their application within an operational environment.
• Strong communication and influencing skills – Able to communicate clearly, challenge constructively and gain buy-in from a range of stakeholders.
• Technical and regulatory awareness – Knowledge of operational processes, relevant legislation, policies, procedures and HSE requirements, together with a full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead a specialist planning team responsible for developing and delivering short-term operational plans that support network performance and customer service.
• Shape operational delivery by turning strategic workload forecasts into practical plans that balance resources, customer requirements and regulatory commitments.
• Drive business performance by identifying opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency and delivery outcomes across the network.
• Build strong relationships across the business by working closely with Operational Planning, Operational Delivery and Network teams to support shared goals and priorities.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives by identifying root causes of performance issues and implementing sustainable solutions.
• Develop and support others through coaching, mentoring and creating an environment where colleagues can perform at their best.
• Help steer performance by reviewing plans, analysing performance data and supporting recovery actions where needed.
• Make a real difference by helping ensure the network delivers safely, efficiently and in line with customer and regulatory expectations.

Skills

Leadership

Planning

Scheduling

Performance improvement

Analytical

Stakeholder mgmt

Project management

Regulatory awareness

UK driving licence

Job description

Title: Planning and Scheduling Specialist

Location: Planetary Road, Wolverhampton, WV13 3XA

Advertised Salary: £50,940-£56,934 depending on skills & experience

Job Function: Operations

Working Hours: 37

Location Type: Office Based

Contract Type: Secondment

Req ID: 3149

Posting End Date: 15/11/26

Location: Planetary Road, Wolverhampton (WV13 3XA) full-time office based until training complete & competent – Flexible / Hybrid working will be assessed on an individual basis.

Leading the planning that keeps our network delivering for customers

We're looking for a Planning and Scheduling Specialist to join our team on a 12 month basis and lead the development and delivery of operational work plans that support safe, efficient and customer-focused performance across the network.

This is a leadership role at the heart of operational planning, responsible for managing short-term planning activity while ensuring long-term plans remain achievable, balanced and aligned to business and regulatory priorities. You'll work closely with Operational Planning, Operational Delivery and Network teams to ensure resources are used effectively, performance is maintained and delivery commitments are met.

If you enjoy leading people, solving complex operational challenges and using data and insight to drive better outcomes, this is an opportunity to make a significant impact across the business.

Why you'll love this role

• Lead a specialist planning team responsible for developing and delivering short-term operational plans that support network performance and customer service.
• Shape operational delivery by turning strategic workload forecasts into practical plans that balance resources, customer requirements and regulatory commitments.
• Drive business performance by identifying opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency and delivery outcomes across the network.
• Build strong relationships across the business by working closely with Operational Planning, Operational Delivery and Network teams to support shared goals and priorities.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives by identifying root causes of performance issues and implementing sustainable solutions.
• Develop and support others through coaching, mentoring and creating an environment where colleagues can perform at their best.
• Help steer performance by reviewing plans, analysing performance data and supporting recovery actions where needed.
• Make a real difference by helping ensure the network delivers safely, efficiently and in line with customer and regulatory expectations.

What You'll Bring

• Leadership and people management experience – Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop teams within a fast-paced operational environment.
• Planning and scheduling expertise – Strong understanding of operational planning, resource management and workload prioritisation.
• Performance improvement experience – Ability to identify issues, understand what's driving them and implement practical solutions to improve performance.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills – Able to use data and operational information to make informed decisions and support effective planning.
• Stakeholder management skills – Experience building effective relationships across operational, planning and business support functions.
• Project and programme management knowledge – Understanding of project management principles and their application within an operational environment.
• Strong communication and influencing skills – Able to communicate clearly, challenge constructively and gain buy-in from a range of stakeholders.
• Technical and regulatory awareness – Knowledge of operational processes, relevant legislation, policies, procedures and HSE requirements, together with a full UK driving licence.

This role is all about making sure the right work is planned, prioritised and delivered effectively. Working closely with planning and operational colleagues, you'll help your team respond to changing priorities, improve performance and support the successful delivery of work across the network.

Interviews are expected to take place w/c 30/11

At Cadent, we’re thrilled to be part of the future of UK energy!

We have a clear roadmap to drive our performance to the forefront of our industry and support the UK government in achieving its net zero targets by 2050.

We’re making a difference through innovation and new ways of working. Together, we’re shaping a cleaner, greener future for our 11 million customers, whom we put at the heart of everything we do.

What’s In It For You

• Annual bonus
• Pension Scheme double matched up to a total of 18% of salary
• 25 days holiday, plus statutory days, and an option to buy more
• An extra day off each year to celebrate life’s special moments
• Career development with funded learning options
• Flexible working and strong ED&I commitments
• Generous family policies and flexible benefits
• Retail discounts, gym access, and more

We support a healthy work-life balance and are open to flexible working options.

Diversity and Inclusion

Don’t meet every requirement? No problem! If you’re excited about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification mentioned, we would still love for you to submit your application – you may just be the right person for this role or other opportunities at Cadent.

We value diversity and are committed to being an equitable employer. Our employee communities – Women in Cadent, Pride at Work (LGBTQ+), Embrace (ethnicity and religion), Thrive! (disability), the Cadent Military Community, the Grief Awareness Community, and the Men's Engagement Network (M.E.N) – can’t wait to welcome you!

As a proud Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for the vacancy. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process and we will ensure that support is provided.