At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape production plans and ensure smooth operations by balancing demand and resources.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at a leading manufacturing company focused on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, 33 days holiday, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Opportunities for continuous improvement and career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on production efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in relevant field and experience in production planning required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Production Planning & Scheduling Specialist who thrives at the heart of operations – balancing demand, capacity, and materials to keep production flowing smoothly. In this pivotal role, you’ll shape production plans that directly impact delivery, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, working closely with cross‑functional teams to ensure the right products are made at the right time. If you enjoy using data, systems, and collaboration to solve real‑world planning challenges, this is an opportunity to make a visible and lasting impact on the business.
Role Overview
The Production Planning & Scheduling Specialist is responsible for developing and executing production plans that ensure optimal use of capacity, materials, and resources. This role plays a critical part in aligning demand and supply, improving planning accuracy, and driving operational efficiency across the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and manage mid- to long-term production plans for critical product lines, ensuring alignment with capacity and material constraints.
- Lead daily and weekly production scheduling activities to support on-time delivery and operational continuity.
- Act as the functional lead for ERP planning systems, ensuring effective usage and data integrity.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with procurement, manufacturing, engineering, and commercial teams to align production plans with business priorities.
- Identify bottlenecks and constraints, and proactively adjust plans to mitigate risks.
- Drive continuous improvement of planning processes, tools, and workflows to enhance visibility and responsiveness.
- Develop and maintain planning models and tools for scenario planning and decision-making.
- Monitor and report key performance indicators (KPIs) such as schedule adherence, on-time delivery, and capacity utilisation.
- Support S&OP processes and contribute to demand-supply balancing discussions.
- Train and support internal stakeholders to improve ERP adoption and master data accuracy.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or a related field.
- Proven experience in production planning and scheduling within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong understanding of capacity planning, material planning, and production workflows.
- Experience working with ERP and planning systems.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel; experience with Power BI or similar tools is an advantage.
Preferred Certifications
- APICS CPIM
- Lean Six Sigma (Yellow/Green Belt)
Key Skills & Competencies
- Production Planning Systems expertise.
- Scheduling & Capacity Management.
- Data Analysis and KPI tracking.
- Strong stakeholder communication and cross-functional collaboration.
- Lean thinking and continuous improvement mindset.
- Scenario simulation and constraint management.
What Success Looks Like
- High schedule adherence and improved on-time delivery performance.
- Increased visibility and predictability in production planning.
- Effective cross-functional alignment and reduced operational bottlenecks.
- Strong ERP utilisation and high-quality planning data.
- Continuous improvement in planning efficiency and responsiveness.
What We Can Offer You
- Flexible working practices – we work a 9-day fortnight, hybrid working, offer flexitime, and work a half day Friday.
- 33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays) with the option to buy up to 5 additional days.
- Private healthcare.
- Health cash plan – cash back for everyday health expenses.
- Additional benefits including access to 24/7 remote GP services, physiotherapy consultations and gym discounts.
- Pension scheme with 6% employer contributions.
- Life assurance – 4 x annual salary.
- Reward and recognition platform.
- Discount platform – retail, leisure, gym discounts and more.
- Employee assistance programme with access to confidential counselling services.
- Support for further training and education.
- Relocation assistance up to £8,000 if you relocate to take up a position with us.
Production Planning & Scheduling Specialist in Milton Keynes employer: API Microelectronics Ltd.
At our company, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic work environment where collaboration and innovation thrive. As a Production Planning & Scheduling Specialist, you will benefit from flexible working practices, generous holiday allowances, and comprehensive health benefits, all while contributing to impactful projects that enhance operational efficiency. With a strong focus on employee growth and continuous improvement, we offer ample opportunities for professional development and support for further training, making us an exceptional employer in the manufacturing sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Planning & Scheduling Specialist in Milton Keynes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its production processes. Understand their challenges and think about how your skills can help solve them. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to make an impact!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! Use real-world scenarios related to production planning and scheduling to demonstrate your analytical abilities. This will help you stand out as someone who can tackle the challenges head-on.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Production Planning & Scheduling Specialist in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in production planning and scheduling. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to emphasise your proficiency with ERP systems and data analysis tools like Excel or Power BI. We want to see how your skills can help us improve our planning processes!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your achievements and experiences are easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at API Microelectronics Ltd.
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Production Planning & Scheduling Specialist, you'll be dealing with data all the time. Brush up on your key performance indicators (KPIs) like schedule adherence and capacity utilisation. Be ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles to improve efficiency or solve planning challenges.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
This role requires working closely with various teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with procurement, manufacturing, or engineering teams in the past. Highlight any specific projects where cross-functional teamwork led to improved outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Your ERP Knowledge
Since you'll be acting as the functional lead for ERP planning systems, make sure you can talk about your experience with these systems. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured data integrity and effective usage in previous roles, and any improvements you've implemented.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Planning
The ability to develop planning models and tools for scenario planning is crucial. Think of a time when you identified bottlenecks or constraints and adjusted plans accordingly. Share your thought process and the impact it had on production flow and delivery.
