Production Planning Manager

Apex Resource Management; Badby; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Apex Resource Management is seeking an experienced Operations Planning Manager to lead production planning and scheduling for a premium automotive manufacturing operation near Daventry. You will own short-, medium-, and long-term plans, ensuring demand, capacity and supply chain performance align to drive world-class manufacturing results.

Join a fast-paced environment where you’ll influence capacity planning, lead S&OP discussions, and drive continuous improvement initiatives across

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Operations Planning Manager, Production Planning Manager or similar.
• Strong background in automotive manufacturing or a complex manufacturing environment.
• Experience with production planning, scheduling, capacity planning, S&OP, ERP and MRP systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and stakeholder management skills.
• A continuous improvement mindset with knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage short, medium and long-term production plans.
• Create and maintain daily, weekly and monthly production schedules.
• Balance capacity, labour, equipment and material availability.
• Lead S&OP and production review meetings.
• Identify capacity constraints and develop contingency plans.
• Maintain ERP and MRP planning data and parameters.
• Monitor planning performance, schedule adherence and production efficiency.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support advanced planning systems and digital transformation projects.
• Act as the key planning interface between customers and internal stakeholders.

Job description

Operations Planning Manager wanted to join a premium automotive team near Daventry to drive manufacturing excellence in Automotive Production!

Are you an experienced Operations Planning Manager looking to make a real impact within a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment?

We're recruiting for a key leadership role where you'll take ownership of production planning, capacity management and scheduling, ensuring customer demand, manufacturing capability and supply chain performance remain aligned. You'll play a pivotal role in driving operational efficiency, supporting business growth and delivering world-class manufacturing performance.

Why Join?

• Lead production planning within a dynamic automotive manufacturing operation.
• Influence strategic capacity, resource and demand planning.
• Work closely with manufacturing, engineering, logistics, purchasing and supply chain teams.
• Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
• Support new product launches and digital transformation projects.
• Make a visible impact on business performance and customer delivery.

Key Responsibilities as the Operations Planning Manager

• Develop and manage short, medium and long-term production plans.
• Create and maintain daily, weekly and monthly production schedules.
• Balance capacity, labour, equipment and material availability.
• Lead S&OP and production review meetings.
• Identify capacity constraints and develop contingency plans.
• Maintain ERP and MRP planning data and parameters.
• Monitor planning performance, schedule adherence and production efficiency.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support advanced planning systems and digital transformation projects.
• Act as the key planning interface between customers and internal stakeholders.

About You

You will have:

• Proven experience as an Operations Planning Manager, Production Planning Manager or similar.
• Strong background in automotive manufacturing or a complex manufacturing environment.
• Experience with production planning, scheduling, capacity planning, S&OP, ERP and MRP systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and stakeholder management skills.
• A continuous improvement mindset with knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles.

Key Skills

• Operations Planning Manager
• Production Scheduling
• Automotive Manufacturing
• Capacity Planning
• S&OP
• ERP
• MRP
• Manufacturing Planning
• Supply Chain
• Resource Planning
• Lean Manufacturing
• Six Sigma
• Continuous Improvement
• Operational Excellence