Production Planner

Upper; Northampton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing company in Northampton is seeking a Regional Planner to oversee the creation and management of production schedules for Engineered Foam Products. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in planning within a manufacturing setting, excellent time management skills, and the ability to communicate effectively across various levels. This position offers a daily working schedule of 37.5 hours.

Benefits

Company Pension

Life Assurance

Income Protection

Holiday Purchase Scheme

Birthday Holiday

Long Service Awards

Volunteering Day

Enhanced Maternity/Paternity pay

Employee Welfare Support Line

Free Tea/Coffee

Monthly Food days

Benefits Platform

Private Medical Insurance

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a planning role within a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to develop, lead, and motivate employees.
• Excellent time management and organisation skills.

Responsibilities

• Create and manage short-term production plans.
• Monitor material ordering based on stock requirements.
• Communicate planning changes to prevent issues.

Skills

Production Planning

Time Management

Microsoft Office proficiency

Effective Communication

Team Player

Education

IT Qualification

Job description

Company Benefits

• Company Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Birthday Holiday
• Long Service Awards
• Volunteering Day
• Enhanced Maternity/ Paternity pay
• Employee Welfare Support Line
• Free Tea/Coffee
• Monthly Food days
• Benefits Platform
• Private Medical Insurance

Scope

As Regional Planner you will be responsible for: The creation, modification, and management of short term (1 week) and medium term (12 weeks) production schedules for all Engineered Foam Products production facilities with a strong focus on plant efficiencies. Whilst monitoring the production process to ensure that production orders are being completed on time.

Key Responsibilities

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Maintain up-to-date work schedules and efficiency systems.
• Create and manage short-term production plans for plants.
• Develop and update the 12-week medium-term production plan for visibility and resource planning.
• Plan tool sample runs for NPI and coordinate with relevant teams.
• Communicate major plan changes to plants in advance to prevent issues.

Material & Stock Control

• Manage material ordering based on stock requirements.
• Review stock levels regularly, aiming for zero stock older than 3 months.
• Monitor the provisions report to support stock reduction.

Communication & Coordination

• Work closely with Production and Plant Managers on all aspects of planning, including run hours.
• Keep SVP and Sales aligned with production demand; adjust with Plant Managers if needed.
• Inform department heads of planning changes early to allow capacity checks.
• Attend daily production meetings as required.

Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

• Track and report real-time issues to the right people.
• Minimize tool fitting to reduce downtime.

Knowledge & Experience

• Proven experience in a similar planning role within a manufacturing environment
• Ability to develop, lead and motivate employees
• Excellent time management and organisation skills
• Proficient in all Microsoft packages
• Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels
• Demonstratable experience of making sound judgement under pressure
• Team Player
• Systematic and with high attention to detail
• Ability to lead and promote Lean manufacturing initiatives
• Knowledge of EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) moulding would be beneficial
• Six Sigma
• IT Qualification

Hours Of Work

37.5 hours per week , office hours