Planning Manager

Planning Manager

Temporary 50000 - 55000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead installation planning, ensuring smooth delivery and coordination of resources.
  • Company: Respected workplace design and installation business with a dynamic culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work, bonuses, and 25 days holiday.
  • Other info: Great opportunity for career growth and learning in a supportive team.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by solving operational challenges in a fast-paced environment.
  • Qualifications: Strong planning experience in logistics or operations, with excellent analytical skills.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 £ per year.

A growing and highly respected business within the workplace design and installation sector is looking for an experienced Planning Manager to take ownership of installation planning across the organisation. This is a pivotal role focused on bringing structure, clarity and delivery confidence to a busy installation operation. You will be responsible for translating project demand into realistic, achievable plans that ensure labour, materials, logistics and timelines are fully aligned. Working closely with operational, commercial and project teams, you will act as the central point of accountability for installation scheduling, helping ensure projects are delivered on time and with minimal disruption.

The Role

  • Oversee the end-to-end planning of installation activity, ensuring that operational delivery is properly coordinated and resourced.
  • Own and deliver realistic, fully resourced installation plans aligned to project commitments.
  • Translate project demand into clear daily, weekly and forward-looking schedules.
  • Coordinate labour, materials, logistics and subcontractor capacity to ensure smooth delivery.
  • Identify capacity gaps, scheduling clashes and operational risks early and resolve them proactively.
  • Act as the central planning interface between project, commercial and operational teams.
  • Challenge unrealistic timelines and commitments with practical, data-driven alternatives.
  • Establish planning KPIs and improve visibility of performance and forward risks.
  • Introduce clear planning processes that reduce reactive firefighting and improve operational stability.

About You

This role would suit someone with strong operational planning experience who thrives in fast-paced environments and enjoys bringing structure to complex delivery schedules. You are likely to have:

  • Strong planning experience within FMCG, logistics, operations or similarly fast-paced environments.
  • Experience owning complex operational plans under tight deadlines.
  • A background planning labour-intensive operations or installation projects.
  • Experience coordinating subcontractors or third-party contractors.
  • The confidence to challenge stakeholders constructively when timelines or resources are unrealistic.
  • Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills.
  • A calm, organised and solutions-focused approach.

Due to the location, you will need to have your own transport.

Package

  • 6-month fixed term contract.
  • Hybrid working (1 day per week from home).
  • Quarterly company bonus plus annual performance bonus.
  • BUPA cash plan.
  • 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
  • Lunch provided.
  • Learning and development opportunities.

This is an excellent opportunity for a planning professional who enjoys bringing structure to complex operations and ensuring projects run smoothly from concept to delivery. If you enjoy solving operational challenges, coordinating multiple moving parts and driving performance through effective planning, we would love to hear from you.

Planning Manager employer: RecruitAbility Ltd

Join a dynamic and respected business in the workplace design and installation sector, where your expertise as a Planning Manager will be valued and impactful. With a hybrid working model, competitive salary, and a culture that prioritises employee growth through learning opportunities and performance bonuses, this role offers a rewarding environment for those who thrive on operational challenges. Located near Bishop's Stortford, you'll enjoy a supportive team atmosphere that encourages collaboration and innovation.
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Contact Detail:

RecruitAbility Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Planning Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Planning Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity that’s not even advertised yet.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Show us you’re genuinely interested in their work and how your skills can help streamline their installation processes. Tailor your examples to highlight your planning experience in fast-paced environments.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how you’ve tackled complex operational challenges in the past. We want to hear about your analytical skills and how you’ve successfully coordinated resources to meet tight deadlines.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our success.

We think you need these skills to ace Planning Manager

Operational Planning
Project Scheduling
Resource Coordination
Logistics Management
Stakeholder Management
Analytical Skills
Data-Driven Decision Making
Problem-Solving Skills
Risk Management
KPI Establishment
Process Improvement
Communication Skills
Adaptability
Attention to Detail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Planning Manager role. Highlight your experience in operational planning, especially in fast-paced environments like FMCG or logistics. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

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 role. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed complex operational plans and tackled challenges head-on.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, don’t forget to mention any data-driven decision-making experiences you have. We love seeing how you’ve used data to improve planning processes or resolve scheduling conflicts.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at RecruitAbility Ltd

✨Know Your Planning Inside Out

Make sure you understand the key responsibilities of a Planning Manager, especially in installations. Brush up on your knowledge of operational planning, logistics, and how to translate project demands into achievable schedules. Being able to discuss specific examples from your past experience will show that you’re the right fit for the role.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect to be asked about how you would handle specific challenges, like scheduling clashes or capacity gaps. Think of real-life scenarios where you successfully navigated similar issues and be ready to explain your thought process and the outcomes. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to think on your feet.

✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Since the role requires strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to inform your planning decisions. Whether it’s improving KPIs or enhancing visibility of performance, being able to quantify your impact will impress the interviewers.

✨Be Ready to Challenge Constructively

The job involves challenging unrealistic timelines and commitments. Prepare to discuss how you’ve approached difficult conversations with stakeholders in the past. Highlight your calm and organised approach, and how you’ve managed to find practical alternatives that benefit everyone involved.

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