Senior Materials Planner

Oxford Instruments; West of England; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology in Yatton is seeking an experienced Senior Materials Planner to join our Planning team. You will ensure that materials, work orders and the associated documentation are available when required to meet production schedules and customer commitments.

You will work closely with colleagues across Production, Purchasing, Engineering and Quality to manage material availability, resolve shortages and support the smooth flow of work through the manufacturing process.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in materials planning or manufacturing planning.
• Strong knowledge of MRP-based planning and scheduling.
• Experience in a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment.
• Practical experience of managing work orders, material requirements and production shortages.
• Ability to interpret production schedules and translate them into material actions.

Responsibilities

• Raise and maintain work orders to support the production plan.
• Release work orders into production following the approval process.
• Coordinate stores and kitting to ensure materials align with build schedules.
• Manage work-order part lists through build and test processes.
• Monitor material availability and resolve shortages with Production, Purchasing and related teams.
• Review MRP messages and manage amendments or cancellations.
• Support engineering changes and deviation permits affecting active builds.
• Add material requirements to work orders when needed and ensure proper investigation.
• Maintain accurate planning data in MRP and business systems.
• Identify risks that could affect production schedules or customer delivery.
• Assist with the master production schedule execution and planning enquiries from Build and Test teams.

Skills

MRP planning

ERP/MRP systems

Lean manufacturing

Manufacturing planning

Inventory management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

IOM/ONC/HNC

Tools

Edwards E1

MRP systems

Job description

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Location: Bristol, UK
Contract: 6-month fixed-term contract, with the potential to become permanent
Working pattern: Initially site-based, with potential for hybrid working once fully trained

The Opportunity

Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology is looking for an experienced Senior Materials Planner to join our Planning team in Yatton.

This is a key role within our manufacturing operation, responsible for ensuring that materials, work orders and supporting documentation are available when required to meet production schedules and customer commitments.

You will work closely with colleagues across Production, Purchasing, Engineering, Quality, Stores, Build and Test to manage material availability, resolve shortages and support the smooth flow of work through the manufacturing process.

The position is initially offered as a 6-month fixed-term contract, with the potential to become permanent depending on future business requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Raise and maintain work orders to support the production plan.


• Release work orders into production following the appropriate approval process.


• Work with Stores and kitting teams to ensure materials are available in line with build schedules.


• Manage work‑order part lists throughout the build and test process.


• Monitor material availability and resolve shortages in partnership with Production, Purchasing and other operational teams.


• Review and action MRP messages, including work‑order amendment and cancellation requirements.


• Support engineering changes, concessions and deviation permits affecting active builds.


• Add additional material requirements to work orders when required, ensuring that requests are properly investigated and controlled.


• Maintain accurate planning information within the relevant MRP and business systems.


• Identify and communicate risks that could affect production schedules, customer delivery or revenue.


• Support the execution of the master production schedule.


• Act as a key point of contact for planning enquiries from Build and Test teams.


• Attend relevant production and gateway review meetings.


• Support the creation and continuous improvement of planning processes and procedures.


• Deputise for the Planning Team Leader when required.


• Support other Supply Chain and operational teams to maintain the effective flow of materials through the business.

About You

You will be an experienced materials or production planner with a strong understanding of MRP-controlled manufacturing.

You will be comfortable working in a busy production environment, managing changing priorities and collaborating with a wide range of internal teams. You will also be proactive in identifying risks, resolving problems and ensuring that accurate information is available to support operational decisions.

As this position will provide immediate support to the Planning team, you should be able to quickly understand existing processes and make a positive contribution.

• Substantial experience in materials planning, production planning or manufacturing planning.


• Strong knowledge of MRP-based planning and scheduling.


• Experience working within a low‑volume, high‑mix manufacturing environment.


• Practical experience of managing work orders, material requirements and production shortages.


• The ability to interpret production schedules and translate them into clear material actions.


• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple activities.


• Good communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills.


• A proactive and practical approach to problem‑solving.


• Good IT skills and experience using ERP, MRP or other manufacturing business systems.


• The ability to identify delivery risks and escalates issues appropriately.


• A collaborative, dependable and adaptable approach to work.


• Experience working within a lean manufacturing environment.


• Knowledge of lean principles as applied to materials management.


• Experience using Edwards E1 or a comparable ERP or MRP system.


• Experience managing engineering changes, concessions or deviation processes.


• Previous experience supporting or deputising for a team leader.


• An IOM, ONC, HNC or equivalent professional or technical qualification.

What Success Looks Like

• Materials are available to production accurately and on time.


• Work orders are raised, maintained and closed correctly.


• Production shortages are identified and resolved promptly.


• MRP action messages are kept to a minimum.


• Build schedules and customer delivery requirements are supported.


• First‑time kitting performance is improved.


• Planning information is accurate and clearly communicated.


• Inventory is managed effectively while protecting production requirements.

Working at Oxford Instruments

At Oxford Instruments, we enable the world’s leading industrial companies and scientific research communities to image, analyse and manipulate materials down to the atomic and molecular level.

Our Plasma Technology business operates in an innovative and growing advanced‑manufacturing environment. You will work alongside colleagues from a range of technical and operational disciplines, supporting the delivery of sophisticated products to customers around the world.

The role will initially require regular attendance at our Yatton site while you learn our products, systems and manufacturing processes. Once you are fully trained and established in the role, some hybrid working may be possible depending on business and team requirements.

Our Values

We are committed to being:

• Inclusive: We seek different perspectives and value collaboration.


• Trusted: We act with accountability, integrity and respect.


• Innovative: We use our knowledge and curiosity to create new possibilities.


• Purposeful: Our passion and commitment help drive positive change.

Oxford Instruments is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds.

If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let our Talent Acquisition team know so that we can support you.