Production Planner

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Company bonus

Pension scheme

Training and qualifications

Employee Assistance Programme

Gym discounts

Fuel card

33 days holiday

Job summary

Progress Rail Services UK is seeking a Production Planner to own the daily production plan, ensuring customer demand is met on time and in full, through effective scheduling, ERP/MRP utilisation and close coordination with manufacturing.

You will manage work orders, BOMs, lead times, and capacity, monitor progress on the shop floor, and collaborate with Procurement and Sales to keep delivery dates aligned with the Annual Operating Plan.

Qualifications

• Experience in production planning and related supply chain functions.
• Ability to use ERP/MRP systems in manufacturing environments with strong Excel skills.
• Strong knowledge of end-to-end supply chain principles and manufacturing interactions.

Responsibilities

• Create, maintain and execute daily production plans and schedules to meet customer delivery commitments in line with S&OP and MRP requirements.
• Generate and manage manufacturing work orders, ensuring accurate BOMs, routings, lead times and customer-specific product requirements within the ERP system.
• Provide accurate delivery dates and lead time expectations to Sales, confirming final delivery dates following capacity and resource review.
• Monitor production progress on the shop floor, running backlog and performance reports, and implementing recovery plans where required.
• Analyse sales, shipment and capacity data to ensure orders remain on time and in full, minimising late-delivery risk or penalties.
• Proactively resolve capacity constraints (labour, equipment or materials) and investigate manufacturing-related issues that impact the production schedule.
• Lead and contribute to production status and planning meetings, escalating risks and issues that may impact schedule or customer commitments.
• Collaborate with department heads to agree optimal production and shipping schedules aligned to customer demand and business priorities.
• Support the Annual Operating Plan by contributing to operational and financial targets.
• Provide clear, timely and accurate operational information, including KPIs, efficiency and schedule adherence reports, to support management decision-making.
• Review, implement and communicate production changes, assessing the impact to schedules and delivery commitments.
• Maintain production planning methods, procedures and offline planning tools, contributing to continuous improvement of planning processes.
• Produce and maintain decking or long-term plans as required by customer or business needs.
• Promote a positive safety culture, adhering to company procedures and legislative health and safety standards at all times.

Skills

Supply chain fundamentals

ERP/MRP proficiency

Manufacturing planning

Master production scheduling

Inventory control

Shop floor control

Data-driven decision making

Problem solving

Stakeholder communication

Organisational skills

Tools

ERP/MRP system

Microsoft Office

Job description

Are you a Production Planner looking to make a real impact? Progress Rail Services UK is seeking a Production Planner to take ownership of creating and executing the production plan, ensuring customer demand is consistently met on time and in full.

THE ROLE:
As a Production Planner, you will be required to:

• Create, maintain and execute daily production plans and schedules to meet customer delivery commitments in line with S&OP and MRP requirements.
• Generate and manage manufacturing work orders, ensuring accurate BOMs, routings, lead times and customer‑specific product requirements within the ERP system.
• Provide accurate delivery dates and lead time expectations to Sales, confirming final delivery dates following capacity and resource review.
• Monitor production progress on the shop floor, running backlog and performance reports, and implementing recovery plans where required.
• Analyse sales, shipment and capacity data to ensure orders remain on time and in full, minimising late‑delivery risk or penalties.
• Proactively resolve capacity constraints (labour, equipment or materials) and investigate manufacturing‑related issues that impact the production schedule.
• Liaise closely with Procurement to ensure externally sourced items support on‑time manufacturing and delivery.
• Lead and contribute to production status and planning meetings, escalating risks and issues that may impact schedule or customer commitments.
• Collaborate with department heads to agree optimal production and shipping schedules aligned to customer demand and business priorities.
• Support the Annual Operating Plan by contributing to operational and financial targets.
• Provide clear, timely and accurate operational information, including KPIs, efficiency and schedule adherence reports, to support management decision‑making.
• Review, implement and communicate production changes, assessing the impact to schedules and delivery commitments.
• Maintain production planning methods, procedures and offline planning tools, contributing to continuous improvement of planning processes.
• Produce and maintain decking or long‑term plans as required by customer or business needs.
• Promote a positive safety culture, adhering to company procedures and legislative health and safety standards at all times.

THE CANDIDATE:
The ideal Production Planner:

• Previous experience within supply chain functions such as Production Planning, Material Planning, Logistics or Supply Chain Administration, ideally across multiple disciplines.
• Ability to use ERP/MRP systems in a manufacturing or engineering environment, supported by advanced Microsoft Office skills.
• Solid understanding of end‑to‑end supply chain principles and how key functions interact within a manufacturing operation.
• Strong working knowledge of manufacturing planning, master production scheduling, inventory control, MRP/CRP, shop floor control and warehousing.
• Demonstrable experience managing constraints, resolving issues and applying agile, practical solutions in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience monitoring and improving manufacturing processes, productivity and efficiency using data and standard performance measures.
• Ability to manage complexity, balance competing priorities and resolve conflicts through effective problem‑solving.
• Experience creating and auditing standard work and planning processes, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Highly organised, tenacious and methodical, with a strong sense of ownership.
• Confident and effective communicator, able to engage with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.

BENEFITS:

• Competitive salary + company bonus
• Tailored training and development, including company‑funded external qualifications where relevant
• Generous pension scheme with 7% employer contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential wellbeing support
• Discounted gym membership - up to 25% off at 4,000+ UK gyms
• Fuel card savings of 2-3p per litre at 3,500 stations, including BP, Esso and Shell
• 33 days' holiday per year (inclusive of statutoryholidays)

ABOUT PROGRESS RAIL:

Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, is one of the largest integrated and diversified providers of rolling stock and infrastructure solutions and technologies for the global rail industry. The company provides advanced EMD® locomotives, engines, and technologies, railcars, trackwork, fasteners, signalling, rail welding and Kershaw Maintenance-of-Way equipment, along with dedicated locomotive and freight car repair services, aftermarket parts support and recycling operations.

Progress Rail's deep industry expertise ensures a commitment to quality through innovative solutions. With a global network across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Australia, China, Germany, India, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, we are committed to serving our customers.

PROGRESS RAIL VALUES:

• Safety - Care, Learn, Prevent
• Integrity - Do the Right Thing
• Teamwork - Win Together
• Excellence - Be the Best
• Commitment - Own the Outcome

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES:
Progress Rail is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We value and embrace diversity of thought, background and unique experiences and we pride ourselves on being an inclusive workforce and culture.