Senior Production Planner

SF Recruitment; Minworth; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing business in Birmingham is seeking an experienced Production Planner to manage production planning, support inventory performance, and foster operational stability. Ideal candidates will have proven experience in production or manufacturing planning, strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate effectively across functions. This role is vital in maintaining customer satisfaction and improving production processes in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in production or manufacturing planning.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage production plans to meet customer demand.
• Create manufacturing projections and stock profiles.
• Implement and control Engineering Change Orders.

Skills

Production planning

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Job description

Production Planner / Senior Production Planner

SF Recruitment are working with a leading manufacturing business in Birmingham, who are looking for an experienced Production Planner to play a key role in delivering Production planning, inventory performance, and operational stability within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Part of a team, you will own end-to-end production planning, balancing customer demand, capacity constraints, and stock targets while working closely with Operations, Engineering, Sales, and Supply Chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage robust production plans, schedules, and capacity models to meet customer demand and COTIF targets.
• Create manufacturing projections and stock profiles, identifying risks and proposing clear mitigation actions.
• Manage finished goods and component inventory in line with service and inventory KPIs.
• Support New Product Development, including ramp-ups, pilot builds, and transition to volume production.
• Implement and control Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) to minimise disruption and obsolete stock risk.
• Support obsolescence management, exit plans, and simplification initiatives.
• Work closely with Sales and customer-facing teams to communicate availability, lead times, and constraints.
• Drive continuous improvement in planning processes, including pull systems and Kanban where appropriate.
• Participate in regular demand, capacity, and service review meetings, highlighting risks and recovery plans.

About You

• Proven experience in production or manufacturing planning within a complex operational environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the confidence to challenge and influence stakeholders.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities and ambiguity in a dynamic setting.
• Commercially aware, understanding the impact of planning decisions on cost, service, and inventory.
• A clear, credible communicator who can work cross-functionally at all levels.