At a Glance
- Tasks: Own production planning and ensure smooth operations in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join CCST Ltd., a leader in high-performance carbon-ceramic brake technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and opportunities for impactful change.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in production efficiency and operational success.
- Qualifications: Experience in production planning and strong problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
About Us
At CCST Ltd., we specialise in producing high-performance carbon-ceramic brake technology. We design, manufacture, and sell lightweight, high-performance brake discs primarily for the automotive industry; especially premium, performance, and supercar manufacturers.
About the Role
We are looking for a highly driven Production Planner to take full ownership of our factory planning and ensure production always runs at optimum performance. This is a critical, hands-on role where you will act as the single point of accountability for production planning, material readiness, and S&OP coordination. You will actively control the factory plan, protect OTIF performance, and ensure production never stops due to avoidable material shortages, poor sequencing, or lack of visibility. You will operate at the heart of the business; working cross-functionally with Procurement, Manufacturing, Logistics, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to proactively identify risks and drive immediate action.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and manage the end-to-end S&OP process, aligning customer demand, production capability, materials, labour, and capacity.
- Develop and maintain a single, finite production plan with clear freeze discipline.
- Monitor material availability daily, escalating risks before they impact production.
- Maintain a rolling shortage tracker and recovery plan for critical paths.
- Drive start-of-shift readiness, ensuring materials, tooling, documentation, and routing are fully in place.
- Collaborate closely with Procurement and suppliers to manage expedites and recovery actions.
- Monitor and optimise inventory levels, WIP, safety stock, and slow-moving stock.
- Reduce schedule instability, firefighting, and last-minute changes.
- Lead weekly S&OE and monthly S&OP reviews, with clear reporting on capacity and material risks.
- Build and maintain capacity models, particularly around bottleneck processes.
- Ensure ERP/MRP data accuracy (lead times, yields, BOMs, routings).
- Provide daily visibility on OTIF risks, schedule adherence, and recovery plans.
About You
You are a hands-on, operational planner who thrives in a fast-moving manufacturing environment. You are confident on the shop floor, challenge issues early, and work collaboratively to keep production flowing. You are not a passive scheduler; you take ownership, drive decisions, and act before problems impact output.
Experience
- Proven experience in production planning within a complex manufacturing environment.
- Background in industries such as automotive, aerospace, advanced materials, precision engineering, composites, or heat treatment is highly desirable.
- Experience working with bottlenecks, long lead times, and material constraints.
Skills & Knowledge
- Strong understanding of: MRP / MPS planning principles, Capacity planning and finite scheduling, Inventory control and optimisation.
- Experience using ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle or similar).
- Advanced Excel and data analysis capability.
- Ability to operate effectively in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.
What Success Looks Like
Performance in this role will be measured against:
- OTIF (On-Time In-Full) performance.
- Schedule adherence and plan stability.
- Material shortage prevention.
- Start-of-shift readiness.
- Inventory accuracy and control.
- Reduction in premium freight and emergency expedites.
- S&OP execution effectiveness.
- Elimination of production downtime linked to planning or material issues.
Key Attributes
- Calm under pressure and highly decisive.
- Data-driven with strong problem-solving capability.
- Confident challenging stakeholders at all levels.
- Strong sense of ownership, urgency, and accountability.
- Clear communicator from shop floor to senior leadership.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to take on a high-impact role where you will directly influence operational performance and business success. You will be empowered to drive change, improve processes, and make a measurable difference every day.
Production Planner in Knowsley employer: CCST Ltd.
At CCST Ltd., we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the high-performance automotive sector, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. Our culture fosters personal and professional growth, providing employees with opportunities to take ownership of their roles and make impactful contributions to our cutting-edge production processes. Located in a vibrant area, we offer competitive benefits and a supportive atmosphere that values every team member's input, making us an excellent choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Planner in Knowsley
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like CCST Ltd., apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Production Planner in Knowsley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to CCST Ltd. specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at CCST Ltd.
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with CCST Ltd., brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like CCST Ltd. value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
