At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and modernise the planning function across multiple locations for efficient operations.
- Company: Established technical services organisation with a focus on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: High-impact role with visibility across operations and senior leadership.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact by improving operational efficiency and revenue flow.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in planning or service coordination, with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Location: Leicester (Hybrid with occasional UK travel)
Reporting to: Managing Director / Operations Director
About the Company
We are working with a well-established, privately backed technical services organisation operating across multiple locations in the UK. The business provides specialist testing, inspection, and compliance services to clients across infrastructure, construction, utilities, and regulated industries. With continued growth and operational expansion, the company is now looking to appoint a Head of Planning to lead and modernise the national planning and service coordination function.
The Role
This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the end-to-end planning lifecycle from order handover through to work completion and handover to finance for billing. The role is focused on operational flow, planning discipline, utilisation, and billing readiness rather than technical delivery. You will lead the planning function nationally, ensuring work is scheduled efficiently, delivered predictably, and handed over cleanly for invoicing and cash collection. You will also play a key role in implementing and embedding a central planning system across multiple operational sites.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop the Planning function across multiple locations
- Own the planning lifecycle from order handover to work completion
- Improve utilisation, workflow, and operational efficiency through planning
- Ensure completed work is handed to Finance fully ready for billing
- Implement and embed a central planning and scheduling system
- Monitor KPIs such as backlog, utilisation, and unbilled work
- Act as the key interface between Planning, Operations, Sales, and Finance
- Support operational performance, revenue flow, and cash collection through planning discipline
About You
- Senior experience leading planning, scheduling, or service coordination teams
- Experience in multi-site service, engineering, construction, testing, or infrastructure environments
- Strong commercial and financial awareness
- Comfortable using data, KPIs, and dashboards to drive decisions
- Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills
- Experience implementing planning or scheduling systems would be advantageous
Why This Role
This role is critical to ensuring the business delivers work efficiently, improves utilisation, and converts completed work into revenue and cash more effectively. It is a high-impact leadership position with significant visibility across operations, finance, and senior leadership.
Head of Planning in Leicester employer: Phenna Group
As a Head of Planning at our well-established, privately backed technical services organisation in Leicester, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and operational excellence. We offer a supportive environment with opportunities for professional growth, competitive benefits, and the chance to lead a pivotal function that directly impacts our success across multiple UK locations. Join us to be part of a team that values collaboration, efficiency, and the continuous improvement of our planning processes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Planning in Leicester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Head of Planning role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its operations. Understand their planning processes and think about how your experience can improve their efficiency. This will show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who’s genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership pitch! As a potential Head of Planning, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams and manage stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you’ve successfully led projects or improved processes in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you stand out, and applying directly shows your commitment. Plus, it’s a great way to keep track of your applications and follow up if needed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Planning in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Planning. Highlight your experience in leading planning functions and any relevant achievements in operational efficiency. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this senior leadership role. Share specific examples of how you've improved workflows or implemented planning systems in the past. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:In your application, don’t forget to emphasise your leadership experience. We’re looking for someone who can lead teams across multiple locations, so share how you've successfully managed stakeholders and driven performance in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates about your application status. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Phenna Group
✨Know Your Planning Lifecycle
Make sure you understand the end-to-end planning lifecycle, from order handover to billing. Be ready to discuss how you've improved operational flow and efficiency in your previous roles, as this will show your expertise in managing the planning function.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in multi-site environments. Highlight your experience in stakeholder management and how you've successfully implemented planning systems in the past. This will demonstrate your capability to lead the planning function effectively.
✨Be Data-Driven
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to planning and service coordination. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data and dashboards to drive decisions and improve utilisation in your previous roles.
✨Understand the Business Context
Research the company and its operations within the technical services sector. Understanding their specific challenges and how your role as Head of Planning can address them will help you stand out as a candidate who is not only qualified but also genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
