Production Planning Manager

Lord Search and 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 and Selection is seeking a Production & Materials planning leader for a specialist manufacturing engineering environment in Cheltenham. You will head the planning function, coordinating materials, resources and production capacity to meet customer demand while optimising performance.

Reporting into the operations leadership, you will build and lead a planning team, develop short, medium and long-term production plans, and drive improvements across systems, processes and data

Qualifications

• 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.

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

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Continuous improvement

Job description

Production & Materials planning leadership in a specialist manufacturing engineering environment
Cheltenham
To GBP50,000 - GBP60,000 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.