At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead maintenance planning and optimisation for a prestigious pharmaceutical facility.
- Company: Join a leading Facilities Management and Engineering services provider.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, benefits, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Work collaboratively in a dynamic, regulated environment with growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a world-class pharmaceutical environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in planning, scheduling, or optimisation within technical services.
CNX Recruitment are exclusively recruiting on behalf of a leading Facilities Management and Engineering services provider for an experienced Planning & Optimisation Lead to support a prestigious pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Macclesfield.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly regulated and technically complex environment, where you will play a key role in improving maintenance planning, resource optimisation, and operational performance across a critical Hard Services FM contract.
The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring maintenance activities are effectively planned, scheduled, and optimised to deliver safe, compliant, and efficient engineering services.
The Role
As Planning & Optimisation Lead, you will oversee the development and continuous improvement of maintenance planning strategies, ensuring resources, systems, and processes are aligned with operational priorities and asset criticality.
Working closely with engineering teams, technical stakeholders, and operational leaders, you will use data-driven insights to improve maintenance effectiveness, increase reliability, and support a proactive approach to service delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the planning and scheduling of all Hard Services maintenance activities, including:
- Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM)
- Statutory compliance activities
- Develop short, medium, and long-term maintenance schedules aligned with site requirements.
- Prioritise works based on asset criticality, risk, and operational impact.
- Coordinate shutdowns, outages, and critical engineering interventions.
- Analyse CAFM/CMMS data, KPIs, and asset performance information to identify improvement opportunities.
* Drive improvements in
- PPM compliance and effectiveness
- Reactive maintenance reduction
- First-time fix performance
- Engineering resource utilisation
- Develop resource plans to ensure effective deployment of engineering teams and specialist contractors.
- Maintain accurate CAFM/CMMS records including asset registers, maintenance plans, and work order data.
- Support compliance with pharmaceutical standards, including GMP/Gx P requirements where applicable.
- Work collaboratively with engineering, compliance, and client teams to align maintenance activities with operational priorities.
- Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities across planning and scheduling processes.
About You
The ideal candidate will have
- Previous experience in planning, scheduling, or optimisation roles within Facilities Management, Engineering, or Technical Services.
- Strong understanding of Hard Services engineering delivery, including HVAC, utilities, and critical systems.
- Experience using CAFM/CMMS systems for maintenance planning and performance analysis.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and deliver measurable improvements.
- Experience working within regulated environments such as pharmaceutical, healthcare, or similar sectors.
Desirable Experience
- Knowledge of GMP/Gx P regulated environments.
- Experience with predictive maintenance and asset optimisation strategies.
- Formal training or experience in planning, scheduling, Lean, or operational excellence methodologies.
- Experience using digital maintenance tools and data visualisation platforms.
- What's on Offer
- Permanent position with a highly respected engineering and facilities services provider.
- Opportunity to work within a world-class pharmaceutical environment.
- Competitive salary package and benefits.
- Career development opportunities within a growing organisation.
If you have experience in maintenance planning, engineering optimisation, and delivering performance improvements within complex environments, CNX Recruitment would like to hear from you.
Apply today for a confidential discussion
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning & Optimisation Lead in Macclesfield
✨Unlock Networking Opportunities
Dive into industry-specific events like pharmaceutical conferences and seminars, where you can meet hiring managers from companies like CNX Recruitment. These are goldmines for making connections and learning about job openings before they hit the mainstream job boards.
✨Join Relevant Professional Bodies
Get involved with organisations such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society or your local pharmaceutical professionals' network. Being an active member can boost your credibility and may even lead to job referrals in top organisations like CNX Recruitment.
✨Leverage Internships for Full-time Roles
If you can, consider pursuing internships in the pharmaceutical industry, especially with companies like CNX Recruitment. These opportunities often pave the way for full-time positions and allow you to demonstrate your capabilities firsthand.
✨Tailor Your Approach
When you're applying for roles, don't rush it! Take the time to customise your applications for specific positions, showcasing relevant skills and experiences that align with what CNX Recruitment is looking for. A tailored application can really make you stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Planning & Optimisation Lead in Macclesfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at CNX Recruitment!
Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show CNX Recruitment that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!
Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at CNX Recruitment!
Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At CNX Recruitment, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.
How to prepare for a job interview at CNX Recruitment
✨Understand the Science
Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at CNX Recruitment that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.
✨Know Their Products
Take some time to familiarise yourself with CNX Recruitment’s product range and recent breakthroughs. Understanding their portfolio not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also allows you to ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in actively contributing to their projects.
✨Be Ready for Regulatory Scenarios
In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.
