Strategic Production Planning Lead

Azenta US, Inc.; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Azenta UK, Ltd. is seeking a Senior Planner to lead the Production Planning Team, coordinating with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain to align schedules with customer requirements and business goals.

You will develop loading forecasts, manage inventories, and ensure on-time shipment, while improving planning processes and data accuracy in ERP/MRP systems. This role emphasizes OTIF delivery and strong cross-functional teamwork to support strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience in Production Planning within a manufacturing and engineering environment.
• Experience in an Engineering or Technical environment would be beneficial.
• Previous experience leading or supervising a planning team.
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and production scheduling.
• Experience in inventory management, including safety stock, min/max planning and inventory optimization and developing production and capacity forecasts.
• Experience developing production and capacity forecasts.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Intermediate to Advanced Excel skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively across Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance and Project Management teams.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a small team of Planners, providing day-to-day direction, coaching, workload management and performance support.
• Develop and maintain production loading forecasts, balancing customer demand, manufacturing capacity and resource requirements.
• Manage sales orders, delivery performance and outbound logistics, ensuring production plans support OTIF delivery commitments while working closely with Warehouse, Manufacturing and Logistics teams to ensure materials and products are picked, packed and shipped on time.
• Manage inventory planning and material availability, including forecasting, safety stock, min/max levels.
• Work closely with Supply Chain, to manage material risks, backorders, lead times and capacity constraints, ensuring material availability while balancing inventory levels and supporting customer and business objectives.
• Work closely with Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Engineering to manage material risks, backorders, lead times and capacity constraints, ensuring customer and business objectives are achieved.
• Maintain planning and material master data within ERP/MRP systems, ensuring planning parameters, lead times and inventory settings remain accurate.
• Implement Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and New Product Introductions (NPIs), managing the impact on production schedules, materials and inventory, and execution of engineering changes to inventory items or WIP.
• Support Project Management and cross-functional teams by developing achievable production plans, managing planning risks and helping ensure schedule adherence and on-time shipment.
• Support continuous improvement activities, including root cause analysis, inventory optimisation, lean initiatives and planning process improvements.

Skills

Production Planning

ERP / MRP

Inventory Management

Forecasting

Leadership

Excel

Stakeholder Management

Cross-functional Collaboration

Capacity Planning

Scheduling

Tools

ERP/MRP Systems

Job description

Azenta UK, Ltd. is seeking a Senior Planner to lead the Production Planning Team, coordinating with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain to align schedules with customer requirements and business goals.

You will develop loading forecasts, manage inventories, and ensure on-time shipment, while improving planning processes and data accuracy in ERP/MRP systems. This role emphasizes OTIF delivery and strong cross-functional teamwork to support strategic initiatives.