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- Tasks: Create and execute production plans to meet customer demands on time.
- Company: Join Progress Rail Services UK, a leader in the rail industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, training, generous pension, and 33 days holiday.
- Other info: Promote a positive safety culture while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment with growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Experience in supply chain functions and strong ERP/MRP skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
PRODUCTION PLANNER – SANDIACRE, NG10 5AN (ONSITE). COMPETITIVE SALARY.
Are you a Production Planner looking to make a real impact? Progress Rail Services UK is seeking a Production Planner to take ownership of creating and executing the production plan, ensuring customer demand is consistently met on time and in full.
The Role
- Create, maintain and execute daily production plans and schedules to meet customer delivery commitments in line with S&OP and MRP requirements.
- Generate and manage manufacturing work orders, ensuring accurate BOMs, routings, lead times and customer‑specific product requirements within the ERP system.
- Provide accurate delivery dates and lead time expectations to Sales, confirming final delivery dates following capacity and resource review.
- Monitor production progress on the shop floor, running backlog and performance reports, and implementing recovery plans where required.
- Analyse sales, shipment and capacity data to ensure orders remain on time and in full, minimising late‑delivery risk or penalties.
- Proactively resolve capacity constraints (labour, equipment or materials) and investigate manufacturing‑related issues that impact the production schedule.
- Liaise closely with Procurement to ensure externally sourced items support on‑time manufacturing and delivery.
- Lead and contribute to production status and planning meetings, escalating risks and issues that may impact schedule or customer commitments.
- Collaborate with department heads to agree optimal production and shipping schedules aligned to customer demand and business priorities.
- Support the Annual Operating Plan by contributing to operational and financial targets.
- Provide clear, timely and accurate operational information, including KPIs, efficiency and schedule adherence reports, to support management decision‑making.
- Review, implement and communicate production changes, assessing the impact to schedules and delivery commitments.
- Maintain production planning methods, procedures and offline planning tools, contributing to continuous improvement of planning processes.
- Produce and maintain decking or long‑term plans as required by customer or business needs.
- Promote a positive safety culture, adhering to company procedures and legislative health and safety standards at all times.
The Candidate
- Previous experience within supply chain functions such as Production Planning, Material Planning, Logistics or Supply Chain Administration, ideally across multiple disciplines.
- Ability to use ERP/MRP systems in a manufacturing or engineering environment, supported by advanced Microsoft Office skills.
- Solid understanding of end‑to‑end supply chain principles and how key functions interact within a manufacturing operation.
- Strong working knowledge of manufacturing planning, master production scheduling, inventory control, MRP/CRP, shop floor control and warehousing.
- Demonstrable experience managing constraints, resolving issues and applying agile, practical solutions in a fast‑paced environment.
- Experience monitoring and improving manufacturing processes, productivity and efficiency using data and standard performance measures.
- Ability to manage complexity, balance competing priorities and resolve conflicts through effective problem‑solving.
- Experience creating and auditing standard work and planning processes, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Highly organised, tenacious and methodical, with a strong sense of ownership.
- Confident and effective communicator, able to engage with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
Benefits
- Competitive salary + company bonus
- Tailored training and development, including company‑funded external qualifications where relevant
- Generous pension scheme with 7% employer contribution
- Life assurance at 3.5Ă— your salary
- Employee Assistance Programme for confidential wellbeing support
- Discounted gym membership – up to 25% off at 4,000+ UK gyms
- Fuel card savings of 2–3p per litre at 3,500 stations, including BP, Esso and Shell
- Employee recognition schemes celebrating great work
- 33 days’ holiday per year (inclusive of bank holidays)
Production Planner employer: Progress Rail, A Caterpillar Company
Contact Detail:
Progress Rail, A Caterpillar Company Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Planner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and role thoroughly. Understand their production processes and challenges. This will help us show how our skills align perfectly with what they need.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions and scenarios related to production planning. We can even do mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost our confidence and refine our answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we often have exclusive roles listed there that you won’t find anywhere else.
We think you need these skills to ace Production Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in production planning and supply chain functions. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Show Off Your ERP Skills: Since you'll be using ERP/MRP systems, it’s a good idea to mention any specific software you’ve worked with. We love seeing candidates who can hit the ground running, so let us know how you’ve used these tools in past roles.
Be Data-Driven: We’re all about making informed decisions based on data. When you apply, include examples of how you've used data to improve processes or resolve issues in production planning. This will show us you’re not just a planner, but a proactive problem-solver!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Progress Rail, A Caterpillar Company
✨Know Your Production Planning Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of production planning principles and practices. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully created and executed production plans in the past, and be prepared to share specific examples that highlight your experience with ERP/MRP systems.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
During the interview, be ready to talk about times when you've faced capacity constraints or manufacturing issues. Highlight your ability to analyse data and implement practical solutions quickly, as this is crucial for a Production Planner role.
✨Communicate Effectively
As a Production Planner, you'll need to liaise with various departments. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think about how you can engage stakeholders at all levels and demonstrate your strong communication skills during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Being highly organised is key for this role. Prepare to discuss how you manage competing priorities and maintain accuracy in your work. Bring examples of how you've implemented planning processes or improved efficiency in previous roles to showcase your methodical approach.