Production Planner

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 3.5× 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/public holidays)

ABOUT PROGRESS RAIL:

Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, is one of the largest integrated and diversified providers of rolling stock and infrastructure solutions and technologies for the global rail industry. The company provides advanced EMD® locomotives, engines, and technologies, railcars, trackwork, fasteners, signalling, rail welding and Kershaw Maintenance-of-Way equipment, along with dedicated locomotive and freight car repair services, aftermarket parts support and recycling operations. Progress Rail’s deep industry expertise ensures a commitment to quality through innovative solutions. With a global network across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Australia, China, Germany, India, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, we are committed to serving our customers.

PROGRESS RAIL VALUES:

• Integrity – the power of honesty
• Excellence – the power of quality
• Teamwork – the power of working together
• Commitment – the power of responsibility
• Sustainability – the power of endurance

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES:

Progress Rail is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We value and embrace diversity of thought, background and unique experiences and we pride ourselves on being an inclusive workforce and culture.

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered for this role, please click on the link provided. If you would like any further information about this vacancy before applying, please feel free to contact Taher Rahman at our Sandiacre site. We would politely request no agencies please.