At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and manage production plans for innovative defence programmes.
- Company: Leading defence engineering organisation in a collaborative environment.
- Benefits: Flexible 4-day work week, career development, and exposure to cutting-edge projects.
- Other info: Fixed-term contract until May 2027 with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make an impact in defence manufacturing.
- Qualifications: Experience with SAP, production planning, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Manufacturing Planner with strong SAP and production planning experience?
Do you enjoy working in a fast-paced engineering environment where your planning expertise directly contributes to the successful delivery of cutting-edge defence programmes?
We are currently recruiting for a Manufacturing Planner to join a leading defence engineering organisation based in Ampthill.
Working within the Special Projects business area, you'll play a key role in developing and maintaining robust production plans that support the manufacture of hardware for innovative development programmes.
This is an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of defence manufacturing, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure production schedules, materials and resources are aligned to programme requirements.
The Role
As a Manufacturing Planner, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining production plans that support manufacturing activities across a range of Special Projects programmes.
Key responsibilities include
- Developing and maintaining daily, weekly and fortnightly production plans to support manufacturing operations.
- Managing SAP demand planning activities from cradle to grave for development projects.
- Raising and managing production orders within SAP.
- Planning and managing material requirements across multiple programmes.
- Monitoring machine and labour capacity to ensure manufacturing requirements can be met.
- Supporting project teams by providing capacity forecasts and planning information during programme delivery and bid activities.
- Managing Lines of Balance (LOB) and Areas of Operation (AOL) across assigned projects.
- Working closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Production Operations and Team Leads to coordinate resource availability.
- Analysing Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) to ensure production plans remain aligned with programme milestones.
- Identifying planning risks and implementing effective solutions to maintain delivery schedules.
- Collaborating with stakeholders across manufacturing, projects and supply chain functions to ensure successful programme execution.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Strong knowledge and experience of SAP Production Planning and Material Control processes.
- Proven experience in production planning, capacity planning and resource management within a manufacturing environment.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables and VLOOKUPs.
- Experience interpreting and managing Integrated Master Schedules (IMS).
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
- Ability to analyse data and proactively manage production planning risks.
- Experience working closely with manufacturing and production teams.
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Experience managing subcontractor orders and external manufacturing suppliers.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Project.
- Experience supporting development, prototype or low-volume/high-complexity manufacturing programmes.
- Knowledge of aerospace, defence or advanced engineering manufacturing environments.
- Understanding of Line of Balance (LOB) planning methodologies.
- Working Arrangements
- Based on-site in Ampthill, Bedfordshire.
- Flexible 4-day working week (Monday to Thursday).
- Working within a collaborative production planning team supporting complex defence programmes.
- Security Requirements
- BPSS clearance is required to commence employment.
- Candidates must be eligible to obtain Security Clearance (SC).
What's on Offer?
- Fixed-term contract running until the end of May 2027.
- Flexible 4-day working week.
- Opportunity to support cutting-edge defence manufacturing programmes.
- Exposure to advanced production planning and material control activities.
- Collaborative and supportive engineering environment with excellent career development opportunities.
This role would suit an experienced Manufacturing Planner, Production Planner or Material Planner with strong SAP experience who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and enjoys working closely with engineering and production teams to deliver high-quality results.
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Manufacturing Planner in Houghton Conquest employer: Mane Contract Services
Mane Contract Services is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Northern Ireland where innovation and collaboration thrive. Employees benefit from a strong focus on professional development, with opportunities to enhance their skills in lean manufacturing and heavy equipment engineering. The company fosters a supportive culture that values teamwork and encourages employees to contribute to meaningful projects that drive efficiency and excellence in manufacturing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manufacturing Planner in Houghton Conquest
✨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 Mane Contract Services 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 Manufacturing Planner in Houghton Conquest
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 Mane Contract Services
✨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 Mane Contract Services.
✨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 Mane Contract Services’s culture, making you a valuable asset.
