Manufacturing Planner (INTERNAL TEMPORARY SECONDMENT)

As a Manufacturing Planner, you'll play a central role within our Operations Planning team, bringing together analytical thinking, commercial awareness, and collaborative working to ensure the smooth flow of products through our manufacturing processes. Working closely with Operations, Technical, Commercial, Supply Chain and R&D teams, you'll transform customer demand into achievable production plans that maximise efficiency while delivering against customer expectations.

This is an exciting secondment opportunity to broaden your experience, develop your planning expertise, and gain valuable exposure across multiple areas of the business.

In this role you will:

• Develop and maintain manufacturing plans and schedules that ensure the efficient flow of technical, R&D and Muirhead orders through production while meeting customer delivery requirements
• Balance production capacity, material availability, and customer demand to optimise manufacturing performance and achieve weekly, monthly, and annual production targets
• Work collaboratively with Operations, Commercial, Supply Chain, Technical, and R&D teams to align production plans with business priorities and customer commitments
• Monitor customer schedules, ensuring they meet agreed commercial planning windows while responding proactively to changes in demand
• Analyse production data, capacity, and performance trends to identify risks, constraints, and opportunities to improve planning effectiveness
• Maintain accurate planning documentation and communications, ensuring a consistently high standard of quality and attention to detail
• Support problem solving by identifying planning challenges, evaluating options, and implementing practical solutions that minimise disruption to production
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen planning processes, improve manufacturing efficiency, and enhance customer service
• Utilise ERP systems, Power BI, and Excel to manage planning activities, monitor performance, and support informed decision making
• Build strong relationships across the business, influencing stakeholders and promoting collaborative working to achieve shared operational goals

You're someone who enjoys bringing structure to complexity. You understand that great planning isn't simply about creating schedules - it's about enabling manufacturing teams to perform at their best, supporting customers, and helping the business deliver on its commitments every day.

• You have previous experience within manufacturing planning, scheduling, production control, or a similar operational planning environment
• You demonstrate strong analytical skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing business
• You are confident using ERP systems, Power BI, and Excel to analyse information and support planning decisions
• You bring excellent organisational skills with exceptional attention to detail and a Right First Time approach to planning activities
• You have strong communication and stakeholder management skills, building effective working relationships across multiple functions
• You possess good commercial awareness, understanding the impact planning decisions have on customers, operations, and business performance
• You are an effective problem solver, using sound judgement to identify solutions and manage changing priorities
• You understand manufacturing processes and capacity planning, with knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles considered advantageous
• APICS certification, a relevant degree, or equivalent experience would be beneficial, although practical planning experience is equally valued
• Above all, you're proactive, adaptable, customer focused, and motivated by finding better ways of working

The impact you will have:

You will play a vital role in ensuring our manufacturing operations run efficiently by creating robust production plans that balance customer demand, production capacity, and material availability. Your work will enable teams across the business to make informed decisions, respond effectively to changing priorities, and consistently deliver against customer expectations.

By working closely with colleagues across Operations, Commercial, Technical, Supply Chain, and R&D, you'll strengthen collaboration, improve visibility, and help optimise the flow of products through our manufacturing processes. Your planning expertise will contribute directly to improved operational performance, greater flexibility, and more efficient use of resources.

Through your contribution, you'll help create a manufacturing environment where proactive planning drives operational excellence, supports continuous improvement, and enables the business to deliver exceptional products and service to our customers.

What’s in it for you:

You’ll benefit from a comprehensive rewards package designed to support your wellbeing, financial security, and career development. This includes a company pension, life assurance, company sick pay, enhanced annual leave that increases with service, and access to a health and wellbeing programme alongside an Employee Assistance Programme with private GP services. You’ll also have opportunities to grow through coaching, training, and development support, plus practical perks such as cycle to work and electric vehicle schemes, free on-site parking, and access to a range of retail discounts.

We believe our strength comes from our people. We value diversity, encourage development, and create an environment where everyone can thrive.

Ready to be part of the story?

If you're looking for an exciting development opportunity where you can expand your planning expertise, work with a wide range of stakeholders, and make a real impact on manufacturing performance, we'd love to hear from you.