Production Planner

Nicholas Associates Group Limited; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Nicholas Associates Group Limited is seeking a Production Planner in Sheffield to drive efficient production scheduling and materials planning. You will work with sales forecasts, inventory data and customer orders to create agile daily and weekly schedules and ensure resources are available for on-time manufacturing.

You will monitor labour and line efficiency, manage time bookings, and provide senior leadership with real-time KPIs and status updates.

Qualifications

• Proven planning background in production scheduling, or operational coordination.
• Analytical thinker who can interpret forecasts, lead times and inventory data.
• Natural problem solver who handles line disruptions and schedule changes proactively.
• Strong communicator liaising with shop floor, dispatch, management and external clients.
• Detail-oriented with data accuracy in paperwork, time bookings and audit trails.
• Systems literate with experience in MRP/ERP software and digital data entry.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute agile daily and weekly production schedules based on forecasts, inventory and orders.
• Manage daily time-booking data entry to monitor labour and line efficiency.
• Evaluate and allocate raw materials and machinery capacity for production readiness.
• Deliver real-time manufacturing updates, KPIs and operational roadblocks to senior leadership.
• Collaborate with workshop teams to mitigate line disruptions and bottlenecks.
• Act as primary contact for external clients and coordinate with dispatch for transport plans.
• Review and approve technical and manufacturing documentation prior to shop-floor release.
• Maintain audit trails by digitising paperwork, collecting POD records for VAT compliance, and raising purchase orders.

Skills

Production scheduling

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Attention to detail

MRP/ERP systems

Tools

MRP/ERP software

Job description

About the job

Position : Production Planner

Location : Sheffield

Sector : CNC Machining

Salary: Up to £35,000

Responsibilities

• Production Scheduling: Develop and execute agile daily and weekly production schedules based on sales forecasts, inventory levels, and customer order books.
• Data & Performance Tracking: Manage daily time-booking data entry against operational plans to monitor labour and line efficiency.
• Resource Optimization: Evaluate and allocate raw materials and machinery capacity to guarantee seamless production readiness.
• Management Reporting: Deliver comprehensive, real-time updates regarding manufacturing status, KPIs, and operational roadblocks to senior leadership.
• Problem Solving: Partner directly with the workshop teams to swiftly mitigate line disruptions and root-cause productivity bottlenecks.
• Client & Logistics Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact for external clients, providing regular manufacturing updates while coordinating with dispatch teams to execute the master transport plan.
• Document & Quality Control: Review and approve critical technical and manufacturing documentation prior to formal shop-floor release.
• Compliance & Administration: Maintain rigorous audit trails by digitizing related paperwork, collecting Proof of Delivery (POD) records for VAT compliance, and raising purchase orders.

About You

• Proven Planning Background: You have a strong track record in production planning, scheduling, or operational coordination within a manufacturing environment.
• Analytical Thinker: You can easily interpret sales forecasts, lead times, and inventory data to build realistic, efficient production schedules.
• Natural Problem Solver: You stay calm under pressure, with a proactive approach to handling line disruptions, bottlenecks, and sudden schedule changes.
• Strong Communicator: You are confident liaising with stakeholders at all levels, from shop floor teams and dispatch to senior management and external clients.
• Detail-Oriented: You take pride in data accuracy, whether you are auditing technical paperwork, managing time bookings, or securing audit trails for VAT purposes.
• Systems Literate: You are comfortable working with MRP/ERP software, handling digital data entry, and raising purchase orders.

About Us

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In line with our Diversity and Inclusion policy, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As a Disability Confident Employer, and part of the Nicholas Associates Group, we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, and we're happy to discuss flexible working options.

We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients. If you choose to apply, your information will be processed in accordance with the Nicholas Associates Group of companies Privacy Notice.