Senior Planner

Mears Group; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Sick Pay

Life Assurance (2x annual salary)

Employer pension contributions 5%/3%

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Pension andDiscount schemes

Job summary

Mears Group is seeking an experienced Senior Planner to lead the planning function for our responsive repairs team in Birmingham. You will oversee scheduling, prioritise emergencies, and collaborate with operations to optimise resources and deliver excellent customer service.

Based at our Enterprise Wharf branch, you will coach planners, drive performance, and ensure accurate record-keeping while maintaining high levels of service compliance and safety.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Planning or Senior Planning roles within repairs or housing environments.
• Experience leading or mentoring a planning/scheduling team.
• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths.
• Strong knowledge of scheduling/workforce planning processes.
• Experience using job management, workforce scheduling and appointment booking systems.
• Ability to analyse performance data and drive improvements.
• Excellent organisational, prioritisation and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, pressurised environment.
• Experience scheduling multi-trade repairs using ICT appointing tools.
• Good understanding of repairs/maintenance operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of planners to schedule repairs and maintenance efficiently.
• Manage allocation of operatives and subcontractors to maximise productivity and meet service objectives.
• Monitor daily work schedules, ensuring appointments and follow-ons are effectively managed.
• Escalate complex scheduling issues and coordinate responses to emergencies.
• Produce and analyse performance reports to monitor KPIs and service delivery.
• Collaborate with Supervisors, Managers, Administrators and Contractors for a seamless customer journey.
• Support workforce planning by identifying resource gaps and improvement opportunities.
• Ensure scheduling systems and job management tools are updated and used.
• Prioritise emergency/urgent repairs to minimise disruption and maintain service quality.
• Maintain records to support compliance and audits and promote best practice across the team.
• Provide coaching and training to planners and promote continuous improvement.
• Adhere to company policies and Health & Safety requirements.

Skills

Planning leadership

Team mentoring

GCSE English & Maths

Scheduling processes

Job management systems

Performance reporting

Organisational skills

Customer service

Multi-trade scheduling

Repairs operations knowledge

Education

GCSEs English & Maths

Tools

ICT appointing tools

Job description

Annual salary: up to £38,000.00 Senior Planner Location: Birmingham Contract: Full Time, Permanent Salary:£38,000 per annum Hours: 42.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Mears is one of the UK's leading providers of housing repairs, maintenance, and regeneration services.

We are committed to delivering excellent customer service, supporting our communities, and creating a great place to work.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Senior Planner to join our responsive repairs team. Based in our Enterprise Wharf branch office, you will lead the planning function, ensuring that repairs and maintenance works are scheduled efficiently and resources are utilised effectively. You will support and guide the planning team, work closely with operational management, and help drive service performance while maintaining a strong focus on customer satisfaction.

Duties

• Lead and support a team of planners to ensure repairs and maintenance appointments are scheduled efficiently.
• Manage the allocation of operatives and subcontractors to maximise productivity and meet service objectives.
• Monitor and review daily work schedules, ensuring appointments, follow-on works, and overdue jobs are effectively managed.
• Act as the key point of escalation for complex scheduling and resource planning issues, as well as being the key lead for co-ordinating responses to emergency situations such as block outages.
• Produce and analyse performance reports to monitor KPIs, productivity, and service delivery targets.
• Work closely with Supervisors, Managers, Administrators, and Contractors to ensure a seamless customer journey.
• Support workforce planning by identifying resource gaps, capacity challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure scheduling systems, PDAs, and job management tools are updated accurately and utilised effectively.
• Prioritise emergency and urgent repairs to minimise disruption and deliver excellent customer service.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation to support compliance and audit requirements.
• Provide coaching, guidance, and training to planners, promoting best practice across the team.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance planning processes, operational efficiency, and customer outcomes.
• Ensure all activities are carried out in accordance with company policies and Health & Safety requirements.

Role Criteria

• Proven experience in a Planning or Senior Planning role within repairs, maintenance, housing, facilities management, or a similar environment.
• Experience leading, mentoring, or supporting a planning or scheduling team.
• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths.
• Strong knowledge of scheduling and workforce planning processes.
• Experience using job management, workforce scheduling, and appointment booking systems.
• Ability to analyse performance data and use reporting tools to drive service improvements.
• Excellent organisational, prioritisation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and pressurised environment.
• Strong customer service focus with the ability to manage challenging situations professionally.
• Experience scheduling multi-trade repairs using ICT appointing tools.
• Good understanding of repairs and maintenance operations.

Benefits

• Company Sick Pay
• Life Assurance (2x annual salary)
• 5% employee and 3% employer pension contribution with People pension
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity (14 weeks full pay, 12 weeks half pay and 13 weeks statutory pay), paternity (2 weeks full pay) and adoption leave
• Employee Assistance Programme - free confidential support and counselling available
• Mears Rewards offering discounts and cashback at leading retailers including travel, household items and shopping
• Annual Mears Fun Day - Our annual Fun Day is organised as a massive thank you from the Executive team for all the hard work!
• Volunteering leave – up to two days per year to support community initiatives
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Share save scheme
• Recognition and long service awards
• Buy up to 5 days holiday each year depending on length of service
• Learning and development opportunities
• Career progression opportunities across Mears Group
• Occupational health support
• Green car scheme with Tusker after successful probation period
• Be part of an inclusive workplace with access to a range of colleague networks and support groups focused on diversity, wellbeing and career development. From Disability, Pride (LGBTQ+) and Ethnic Diversity networks to Women in Leadership, the Women Operative Support Group, Women's Health, Men's Mental Health and Armed Forces communities, these groups provide opportunities for support, connection and professional development across our diverse workforce.

All roles require candidates to have the right to work in the UK. Mears does not currently offer visa sponsorship. Please note that all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory Background, Identity and Security checks.

At Mears Group, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, we are a Disability Confident employer, valuing individuality and ensuring equal opportunities for all. We proudly support the Armed Forces Covenant and are honoured to have achieved the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) to coincide with this, we hold an Endorser Award for the Career Transition Partnership, recognising our commitment to veterans transitioning into civilian careers.

In our continued effort to promote social mobility, we invite applicants to voluntarily share their background information during the application stages to help us better understand the diverse experiences of our candidates. This is to ensure we are committed to improving social mobility. We use the Social Mobility Index to assess and enhance opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds. These questions are optional and will not impact your ability to apply.

We are the people behind the smile! At Mears we look for people who share our vision and values - to make a positive difference to the communities we serve. We do this by improving homes, improving communities and improving lives. We are proud of our business and the opportunities we provide to colleagues working across the UK.

Our Values - Customers / Innovation / Teamwork / Responsibility