Production Planner

James Fisher and Sons plc; Cairdhillock; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Early finish on Fridays

Private Medical Insurance

Life Assurance

Cycle to work scheme

Company Pension

Job summary

James Fisher and Sons plc is seeking a Production Planner for a 24-month fixed-term contract in Westhill with hybrid working. The role focuses on maintaining production schedules, coordinating with Supervisors and Buyers, and driving continuous improvement across processes and tools.

The successful candidate will manage MRP-based schedules, monitor milestones, analyse data to improve lead times, and prepare performance reports while supporting other departments as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Strong knowledge of production planning principles and inventory management.
• Experience in production planning or scheduling within a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with products and production methods.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain production schedules from MRP output, balancing customer needs, material availability and capacity constraints.
• Build relationships with Production Supervisors, Buyers and stakeholders to ensure schedules are understood.
• Monitor progress and adjust schedules to resolve delays or bottlenecks.
• Analyse data to improve planning accuracy, reduce lead times and present insights to management.
• Create and maintain works orders and manage relevant MRP master data.
• Prepare and present reports on production performance, capacity utilisation and KPIs.
• Provide information and support to other departments as required.
• Identify and drive continuous improvement initiatives, including training and mentoring staff.

Skills

Production planning

Inventory management

Scheduling

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain or related field

Tools

ERP systems (SAP, Oracle)

Job description

About the Role

Production Planner
Westhill with Hybrid Working
24 Month Fixed-term contract

Please note that this role requires security checks.

The Role:

As a key member of the JFD team, the Production Planner ensures projects are delivered successfully through meticulous scheduling and coordination. You’ll maintain accurate project timelines, track milestones, and identify potential risks—keeping everything on course. Beyond day-to-day planning, you’ll contribute to the standardisation and continuous improvement of processes and tools, driving efficiency and excellence across the organisation.

Whatyou’llbe doing:

• Develop and maintain production schedules from MRP output, balancing customer needs, material availability, and capacity constraints.


• Build strong relationships with Production Supervisors, Buyers, and stakeholders to ensure schedules are understood and achieved.


• Monitor progress and adjust schedules to resolve delays or bottlenecks.


• Analyse data to improve planning accuracy, reduce lead times, and present actionable insights to management.


• Create and maintain works orders and manage relevant MRP master data.


• Prepare and present reports on production performance, capacity utilisation, and KPIs.


• Provide information and support to other departments as required.


• Identify and drive continuous improvement initiatives, including training and mentoring staff where needed.

Whatwe’relooking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management or related field, or equivalent experience.


• Strong knowledge of production planning principles and inventory management.


• Experience in production planning or scheduling within a manufacturing environment.


• Familiarity with products and production methods.


• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or similar).

Why join us?

• Early finish on Fridays


• Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience (Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to work scheme, Company Pension, etc.)


• Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility


• Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions


• Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation, and global operations

About Us:

James Fisher is a global engineering services company operating across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport. With a strong heritage in maritime operations, we now deliver innovative solutions in challenging environments. Our One James Fisher strategy is focused on building a unified, sustainable business within the Blue Economy, driving progress through technology, expertise, and collaboration.

Visit our website at: Home | James Fisher and Sons plc For more information about our values and behaviours, follow the link: About us | James Fisher and Sons plc

James Fisher Defence (JFD), part of the James Fisher Group, is a global leader in underwater capability, delivering cutting-edge diving, submarine rescue, and hyperbaric solutions to both commercial and defence markets. Operating worldwide, JFD is the foremost provider of submarine rescue services and a trusted name in submarine escape training. We’re also at the forefront of hyperbaric rescue innovation and a leading supplier of advanced diving equipment and saturation systems across the industry. Explore more about JFD

James Fisher and Sons are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications for candidates from all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success depends on our talented and diverse workforce.