Production Planning Manager

Lord Search & Selection; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Healthcare

Pension

Company benefits

Job summary

Lord Search & Selection is seeking a Head of Production & Materials Planning in Cheltenham. You will lead the planning function to coordinate materials, resources, and production capacity, aligning schedules with customer demand and business goals.

The role demands strong leadership, deep MRP/ERP knowledge, and a track record of improving planning processes in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. A competitive package with bonus and benefits is on offer.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a planning or scheduling leadership role within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of production planning methodologies.
• Ability to influence and engage stakeholders across multiple departments.
• Strong leadership capability with experience managing and developing teams.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing or continuous improvement techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage the planning team to deliver accurate and achievable production schedules.
• Create and maintain short-, medium-, and long-term production plans aligned with business objectives.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, procurement, engineering, and sales teams.
• Drive improvements in planning processes, systems, and data accuracy.
• Monitor KPIs such as OTIF, inventory levels, and capacity utilisation.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain or production risks proactively.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the wider operations function.

Skills

Planning leadership

MRP/ERP systems

Stakeholder engagement

People leadership

Lean manufacturing

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

Job description

Production & Materials planning leadership in a specialist manufacturing engineering environment

Cheltenham

To £50,000 - £60,000 per year + bonus + healthcare, pension and further company benefits

The Company

A leading manufacturing and engineering business that supplies into a broad spectrum of industries such as aerospace, automotive and motorsport is on a significant growth journey with extensive investment to deliver best in class products and process.

The Role

As head of the Planning function, this is a pivotal role within the operations team, responsible for ensuring the efficient coordination of materials, resources, and production capacity to meet customer demand while optimising operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage the planning team to deliver accurate and achievable production schedules
• Create and maintain short-, medium-, and long-term production plans aligned with business objectives
• Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, procurement, engineering, and sales teams
• Drive improvements in planning processes, systems, and data accuracy
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as OTIF, inventory levels, and capacity utilisation
• Identify and mitigate supply chain or production risks proactively
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the wider operations function

Requirements

• Proven experience in a planning or scheduling leadership role within a manufacturing environment
• Strong understanding of MRP/ERP systems and production planning methodologies
• Ability to influence and engage stakeholders across multiple departments
• Strong leadership capability with experience managing and developing teams
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, complex manufacturing setting
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing or continuous improvement techniques

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to play a key role in a growing and innovative manufacturing business
• Collaborative and forward-thinking working environment
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package

If you are a proactive and results-driven planning professional looking to take the next step in your career, we would be keen to hear from you.