Production Planning & Scheduling Consultant - Buckinghamshire - 3 Month Contract (Outside IR35)

Production Planning & Scheduling Consultant - Buckinghamshire - 3 Month Contract (Outside IR35)

Temporary 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Enhance production planning and scheduling for innovative UAV systems.
  • Company: Join a cutting-edge engineering and manufacturing business in Buckinghamshire.
  • Benefits: 3-month contract, competitive pay, and hands-on experience in a growing industry.
  • Other info: Opportunity to work on exciting projects with potential for future growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in advanced manufacturing while developing your skills.
  • Qualifications: Experience in production planning and a background in aerospace or similar fields.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

Role: Production Planning & Scheduling Consultant

Location: Buckinghamshire (4 Days Per Week On-Site)

Contract: Initial 3-Month Contract (Outside IR35)

Overview

Our client is an innovative engineering and manufacturing business specialising in advanced UAV systems. Having successfully evolved from prototype development into low and medium-volume production over the past five years, the business is entering its next phase of growth and is seeking an experienced Production Planning & Scheduling Consultant to help establish greater structure and control across manufacturing operations.

This is a hands-on role focused on improving production planning, scheduling, production control, material flow and inventory management. The successful candidate will work closely with Engineering, Procurement, Stores and Production teams to create scalable processes that support efficient and repeatable manufacturing.

The ideal candidate will come from an aerospace, defence, UAV, automotive Tier 1, motorsport or similar advanced manufacturing environment and will be comfortable operating within a growing business where processes are still developing.

Responsibilities

  • Production Planning & Scheduling
    • Develop and maintain master production schedules across prototype, pre-production and production programmes.
    • Create and manage manufacturing work orders and build schedules.
    • Coordinate production priorities to ensure delivery commitments are achieved.
    • Monitor schedule adherence and proactively identify risks, delays and bottlenecks.
    • Balance production demand against available capacity, resources and materials.
    • Provide accurate production status reporting to key stakeholders.
  • Production Control
    • Establish and improve production control processes across the manufacturing operation.
    • Track work-in-progress and manufacturing performance against schedule.
    • Ensure production documentation and manufacturing information are accurately maintained.
    • Introduce practical planning tools and reporting mechanisms to improve visibility.
    • Support the transition from prototype builds into repeatable production processes.
  • Materials & Inventory Management
    • Work closely with Procurement to ensure materials are available in line with production requirements.
    • Monitor component shortages and expedite critical items where required.
    • Improve inventory visibility, stock accuracy and material traceability.
    • Support the development and optimisation of stores processes.
    • Coordinate material movement throughout the manufacturing process.
  • Continuous Improvement
    • Identify opportunities to improve production efficiency and workflow.
    • Develop scalable planning and scheduling processes to support future growth.
    • Support ERP/MRP implementation and optimisation activities.
    • Drive improvements in schedule adherence, inventory control and manufacturing performance.

Requirements

  • Essential
    • Experience in Production Planning, Production Control, Manufacturing Scheduling or Operations Planning.
    • Background within aerospace, defence, UAV, automotive Tier 1, motorsport, electronics manufacturing or similar complex assembly environments.
    • Experience managing production schedules within a manufacturing environment.
    • Strong understanding of production control principles and manufacturing workflows.
    • Experience coordinating materials, inventory and production activities.
    • Excellent organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
    • Ability to work effectively across Engineering, Procurement and Production functions.
  • Desirable
    • UAV or drone manufacturing experience.
    • Aerospace or defence industry experience.
    • Experience supporting the transition from prototype development into repeatable production.
    • ERP/MRP systems experience.
    • Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement experience.
    • Exposure to high-mix, low-to-medium volume manufacturing environments.

Deliverables

  • Establish a structured and repeatable production planning process.
  • Improve production schedule visibility and adherence.
  • Introduce practical production control and reporting mechanisms.
  • Improve inventory management and stores control processes.
  • Reduce material shortages and production disruptions.
  • Support the creation of a scalable manufacturing operation capable of supporting future growth.

Ideal Background

Candidates are likely to have held positions such as:

  • Production Planner
  • Master Scheduler
  • Production Controller
  • Production Planning Engineer
  • Manufacturing Planner
  • Operations Planner
  • Materials Planner
  • Supply Chain Planner
  • Production Planning & Control Specialist

within aerospace, defence, automotive Tier 1, UAV, motorsport or advanced manufacturing environments.

If this is of interest please apply on LinkedIn or email.

Production Planning & Scheduling Consultant - Buckinghamshire - 3 Month Contract (Outside IR35) employer: EVEREC

Join an innovative engineering and manufacturing business in Buckinghamshire, where your expertise as a Production Planning & Scheduling Consultant will directly contribute to the growth of advanced UAV systems. With a strong focus on employee development, a collaborative work culture, and the opportunity to implement impactful processes, this role offers a rewarding experience in a dynamic environment that values continuous improvement and efficiency.

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Contact Details:

EVEREC Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Production Planning & Scheduling Consultant - Buckinghamshire - 3 Month Contract (Outside IR35)

Get Your Hands Dirty in the Industry

For a temporary role in manufacturing, don’t shy away from physically visiting local factories and production sites. A friendly walk-in can often lead to spontaneous interviews or valuable connections, and can really help you get a sense of the workplace vibe.

Tap into Seasonal Hiring Windows

Manufacturing often sees spikes in hiring during particular seasons, like summer when production ramps up. Keep an eye on local job boards and community centres, or even visit seasonal job fairs—they’re golden for snagging those temporary roles we’re after.

Join Industry-Specific Communities

Consider joining online forums and social media groups specific to manufacturing. Sites like Reddit or even LinkedIn groups can give you insights into open positions and allow you to connect with current employees who might give you an edge in the hiring process.

Apply Directly Through Our Site!

With EVEREC looking for temporary talent, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s often the fastest way to get your foot in the door, so make the most of it. Plus, it shows you're proactive—always a win!

We think you need these skills to ace Production Planning & Scheduling Consultant - Buckinghamshire - 3 Month Contract (Outside IR35)

Production Planning
Manufacturing Scheduling
Production Control
Operations Planning
Inventory Management
Material Flow Coordination
Analytical Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Practical Skills:In manufacturing and production, hands-on skills are key! Make sure your CV showcases any relevant experience with machinery, quality control, or assembly line work. If you’ve got certifications related to operating specific equipment, don’t forget to include those too!

Focus on Flexibility and Adaptability:For a temporary role, employers are looking for candidates who can hit the ground running. In your cover letter, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly and work well under pressure. Share any experiences where you've successfully adjusted to changing circumstances or tight deadlines.

Include Specific Measurements of Your Impact:Manufacturing roles often revolve around efficiency and productivity. If you’ve previously worked in similar roles, be sure to quantify your achievements. For example, mention how you improved production rates or reduced waste – numbers stand out and show you mean business!

Express Your Interest in the Industry:Temporary roles can be a great stepping stone for future opportunities! Take a moment in your application to express why you’re interested in manufacturing and production. Showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make a real difference and may keep doors open for upcoming positions!

How to prepare for a job interview at EVEREC

Showcase Your Hands-On Experience

In the manufacturing and production world, they want to see that you can actually handle the tools and machines. Bring along any certifications you have or even pictures of projects you’ve worked on. We want to demonstrate that you're not just a theory person but someone who can jump right in.

Emphasise Safety Knowledge

Safety's a huge deal in manufacturing, so make sure you’re clued up about health and safety regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you've followed safety protocols in past roles. It's all about showing you can contribute to a safe working environment at EVEREC.

Flexibility is Key

Since this is a temporary role, highlight your adaptability and willingness to step into different roles as needed. Share examples of times you’ve adjusted quickly to new situations or tackled varied tasks. We want to show you're the go-to person when things get busy!

Ask About Team Dynamics

In any temporary role, fitting in quickly is vital. Ask about team dynamics and collaboration processes during the interview. This shows you’re not only ready to contribute but also keen to blend into EVEREC’s culture, making you a valuable asset.