Strategic Production Planner: On-Time Manufacturing

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Company bonus

Pension scheme

Training and qualifications

Employee Assistance Programme

Gym discounts

Fuel card

33 days holiday

Job summary

Progress Rail Services UK is seeking a Production Planner to own the daily production plan, ensuring customer demand is met on time and in full, through effective scheduling, ERP/MRP utilisation and close coordination with manufacturing.

You will manage work orders, BOMs, lead times, and capacity, monitor progress on the shop floor, and collaborate with Procurement and Sales to keep delivery dates aligned with the Annual Operating Plan.

Qualifications

• Experience in production planning and related supply chain functions.
• Ability to use ERP/MRP systems in manufacturing environments with strong Excel skills.
• Strong knowledge of end-to-end supply chain principles and manufacturing interactions.

Responsibilities

• Create, maintain and execute daily production plans and schedules to meet customer delivery commitments in line with S&OP and MRP requirements.
• Generate and manage manufacturing work orders, ensuring accurate BOMs, routings, lead times and customer-specific product requirements within the ERP system.
• Provide accurate delivery dates and lead time expectations to Sales, confirming final delivery dates following capacity and resource review.
• Monitor production progress on the shop floor, running backlog and performance reports, and implementing recovery plans where required.
• Analyse sales, shipment and capacity data to ensure orders remain on time and in full, minimising late-delivery risk or penalties.
• Proactively resolve capacity constraints (labour, equipment or materials) and investigate manufacturing-related issues that impact the production schedule.
• Lead and contribute to production status and planning meetings, escalating risks and issues that may impact schedule or customer commitments.
• Collaborate with department heads to agree optimal production and shipping schedules aligned to customer demand and business priorities.
• Support the Annual Operating Plan by contributing to operational and financial targets.
• Provide clear, timely and accurate operational information, including KPIs, efficiency and schedule adherence reports, to support management decision-making.
• Review, implement and communicate production changes, assessing the impact to schedules and delivery commitments.
• Maintain production planning methods, procedures and offline planning tools, contributing to continuous improvement of planning processes.
• Produce and maintain decking or long-term plans as required by customer or business needs.
• Promote a positive safety culture, adhering to company procedures and legislative health and safety standards at all times.

Skills

Supply chain fundamentals

ERP/MRP proficiency

Manufacturing planning

Master production scheduling

Inventory control

Shop floor control

Data-driven decision making

Problem solving

Stakeholder communication

Organisational skills

Tools

ERP/MRP system

Microsoft Office

Job description

Progress Rail Services UK is seeking a Production Planner to own the daily production plan, ensuring customer demand is met on time and in full, through effective scheduling, ERP/MRP utilisation and close coordination with manufacturing.

You will manage work orders, BOMs, lead times, and capacity, monitor progress on the shop floor, and collaborate with Procurement and Sales to keep delivery dates aligned with the Annual Operating Plan.