Planning Manager

Arena Europe, Middle East & Asia; St. Ives; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A proactive Planning Manager is sought to join Arena Europe, Middle East & Asia's Operations team in St Ives. You will coordinate resources, equipment, logistics and loading schedules to ensure safe, efficient delivery of temporary structures and event infrastructure across projects.

Working with Projects, Site Operations and Warehouses, you’ll monitor stock, manage bookings, read technical drawings, and drive cost‑effective planning while upholding health and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Experience planning temporary structures, events, construction projects, or similar operational environments.
• Strong logistics, resource planning, or warehouse planning experience.
• Ability to read and interpret technical and layout drawings.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive, solutions‑focused approach to problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate operational requirements for allocated projects from initial handover through to completion.
• Review project information and identify potential operational risks or resource challenges early.
• Manage equipment bookings and stock allocation to support project delivery.
• Use Navision and planning systems to monitor and update project information.
• Ensure equipment availability across build, event, and dismantle periods.
• Coordinate stock movements between sites to maximise efficiency and minimise external hire costs.
• Liaise with Project Managers, Construction Teams, Site Operations, and Warehouse teams to resolve planning challenges.
• Create detailed loading schedules and logistics plans to support project delivery.
• Monitor stock anomalies and identify potential additional costs or resource requirements.

Skills

Planning

Logistics

Stakeholder management

Reading drawings

Organisational skills

Microsoft Office

Driving licence

Tools

Navision

Job description

Location: St Ives, Cambridgeshire

Hours: 8am–5pm, Monday to Friday (flexibility required during peak project periods)

Salary: Competitive + opportunity to work on world‑class events and projects

We’re looking for a highly organised, proactive Planning Manager to join our Operations team. This is a key role responsible for coordinating resources, equipment, logistics, and delivery planning to ensure our projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and within budget.

Working closely with Projects, Site Operations, Warehouse, and HSEQ teams, you'll play a vital role in the successful delivery of temporary structures and event infrastructure across some of the most exciting projects Arena delivers.

What You’ll Do

• Plan and coordinate operational requirements for allocated projects from initial handover through to completion
• Review project information and identify potential operational risks or resource challenges early
• Manage equipment bookings and stock allocation to support project delivery
• Use Navision and planning systems to monitor and update project information
• Ensure equipment availability across build, event, and dismantle periods
• Coordinate stock movements between sites to maximise efficiency and minimise external hire costs
• Liaise with Project Managers, Construction Teams, Site Operations, and Warehouse teams to resolve planning challenges
• Create detailed loading schedules and logistics plans to support project delivery
• Monitor stock anomalies and identify potential additional costs or resource requirementsWork closely with engineering and construction teams to ensure the correct ballast, fixings, and equipment are supplied
• Assume responsibility for the operational planning aspects of assigned projects
• Support safe working practices and ensure operational activities align with Arena's health and safety standards

What You’ll Bring

• Experience planning temporary structures, events, construction projects, or similar operational environments
• Strong logistics, resource planning, or warehouse planning experience
• Ability to read and interpret technical and layout drawings
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• A proactive, solutions‑focused approach to problem solving
• Intermediate Microsoft Office skills
• Full UK Driving Licence
• Previous experience with temporary structures or site operations would be advantageous

What Success Looks Like

• Consistently delivering projects with the right equipment, resources, and logistics plans in place
• Identifying and resolving planning issues before they impact site operations
• Building strong relationships across Projects, Operations, Warehousing, and Site Teams
• Maintaining excellent attention to detail while managing multiple priorities
• Supporting efficient, safe, and cost‑effective project delivery

If you enjoy solving complex logistical challenges, thrive in a fast‑paced environment, and want to play a key role in delivering exceptional projects, we'd love to hear from you!