Planning Officer \/ Graduate Planning Officer in Stowmarket

A high number of candidates may make applications for this position, so make sure to send your CV and application through as soon as possible.

Freedom Professional Services are currently recruiting a Senior Planner to join our team, you will be based from our Stowmarket office with options to work from Home, you will be required to travel as and when required.

To undertake planning and scheduling activities on high value and complex projects, producing workable, realistic and efficient programmes of work which meet an appropriate standard for the contract conditions, and both internal and client requirements. Plans will be implemented with the best-practice approach utilising Critical Path Analysis, Resource Planning, Cost Management and Progress/Productivity Monitoring and Control. You will be responsible for Milestone definition and tracking, and work with the project team on progress reporting to management and client teams.

Some of the key deliverables in this role will include:

• Lead the planning response for project tenders, owning the planning actions and working with the tendering team to deliver the tender and client requirements.
• Arrange and facilitate internal integrated planning meetings with relevant project stakeholders to agree the team input into the project plan and work closely with said team and our external customer.
• Produce and agree a ‘Contract Baseline’ programme for each allocated project; that aligns with the agreed formal contract, price and workscope, and reduces risk for Freedom Group.
• In conjunction with the Planning Manager, ensure that planning outputs / reports are produced in a timely manner for all contract reviews.
• Support operational teams to ascertain whether project targets are being achieved and to jointly establish and agree any corrective measures to be taken where necessary.
• Take responsibility for all allocated projects, ensuring that progress and productivity is effectively monitored against project plan, produce and circulate clear reports to the appropriate stakeholders in a concise and timely manner (e.g. Resource Histograms, 'S' Curves, Earned Value Analysis).
• Maintain and update contract baseline in line with agreed contract change (e.g. variations). Ensure that change impacts are effectively communicated to Operations and Commercial Teams.
• Ensure that the inclusion of variations are communicated and integrated into project plans.
• In conjunction with the Planning Manager, perform Time/Risk analysis against programmes at regular intervals with the Project Manager throughout the whole project life cycle.
• Participate within bid activity as requested by the senior management, working in conjunction with the Business Development department, in line with the Focus Win processes.
• Ensure that all planning related activities are carried out in compliance with contractual obligations, internal processes and external legislation governing business operations.

What we’re looking for:

We are looking for a highly driven individual with a diverse skill set in technical, ethical, social, and management competencies. You should be a self-starter, motivated by challenges, and eager to grow professionally. Strong organisational skills and attention to detail are essential, as is the ability to thrive in a dynamic work environment.

Qualifications and experience:

• Considerable experience in a planning role
• Experience of projects on HV networks
• Experience working within Rail / Nuclear/ Power / Water (where relevant for the role)
• Use of planning software (P6, Asta, TILOS, QSRA).
• Active experience of working with a wide range of planning techniques in serving both tendering and contract delivery.
• A clear understanding of the commercial and contractual interfaces with the planning function.
• Computer literate with a good working knowledge of Microsoft packages, including Microsoft Project and P6.

Benefits:

We’re always evolving our benefits to ensure we’re attracting and retaining great people. Some of what you can expect includes:

• Competitive Salary
• Car or Car Allowance – (Only available for Senior Role)
• 25 Days holiday plus