Planning Manager

Planning Manager

Crick Full-Time 42000 - 58500 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Royal Mail

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead staffing and resource planning for the National Distribution Centre and Midlands Super Hub.
  • Company: Join Royal Mail, a trusted name in logistics and delivery services.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, annual bonus, 25 days leave, and family-friendly support.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making a real impact in logistics and operations.
  • Qualifications: Strong analytical skills, financial awareness, and experience in resource planning required.
  • Other info: Inclusive recruitment process with support for all applicants.

The predicted salary is between 42000 - 58500 £ per year.

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Talent Acquisition Specialist (CertRP) at Royal Mail

Salary starting from £52,513 plus 10% annual bonus potential, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with service, and a company pension scheme with highly competitive contribution rates

Permanent Full time

Midlands Super Hub, Dirft Drive, Crick, Northampton, NN6 7HQ

About The Role

Reporting to the Midlands Super Hub Planning Manager and Parcels Hub Manager, you will:

  • Be the major contributor to the effective staffing of the National Distribution Centre / National Parcel Hub and Midlands Super Hub operational functions and be responsible for the effective alignment of resource/work hours to workload.
  • Ensure the accuracy of Staff Resource Planning by work area, shift, and day, cost-effective workforce planning is facilitated in line with traffic forecasting, and the provision of timely analysis on skills, heads, hours planned v actual.
  • Ensure compliance is demonstrated and auditable in line with company standards and terms of licenses upheld (such as Mail Integrity, Data Security, OT & SA authorisation, and Agency deployment).
  • Undertake all legislative requirements for the monitoring and implementation of the Working Time Directive to ensure legal requirements are met and hold overall responsibility of all databases held on all systems within the Resource unit that relate to employees to ensure they comply with the Data Protection Act and with Royal Mail data capture, storage, and management standards.
  • Lead a team of up to 10 Admin and Bookroom direct reports, control and monitor site staff absence and leave, and managing site annual leave through use of PSP / ALP package.
  • Generate workable solutions to the work-hour mix problem by working in partnership with Midlands Super Hub Planning Manager and operational management teams and ensure that the correct skills base is in place to resource the operation.
  • Provide data and analysis to be used in the daily production review (plan v actual) and to challenge and maintain the integrity of the base data and the reported variances, and monitor, manage, and maintain work area, shift, and unit resource levels across the APSS, Cross Docking, Bulk Mail, TRHV and Manual.

About You

To truly excel in this role, you will possess, and be able to evidence, the skills and experience listed below:

  • An ability to understand and apply the Manpower Planning package, RCS, PSP, and the mandatory standards, and able to analyse, forecast, resource, and plan against a model, including budgetary requirements.
  • Understanding of the Working Time Directive, Data Protection Act and other relevant Employment Legislation and good knowledge of Recruitment & Interviewing Techniques (RIT).
  • Strong financial awareness, familiarity with financial drivers, good numeracy skills, and PC literate with advanced excel knowledge and usage.
  • Planning and organising, attention to detail, and a high standard of accuracy.
  • Experience with key dimensions such as budget, headcount. resource provision, pay mix, and financial probity.
  • Operational knowledge, particularly Automation Processing.
  • Experience of managing change and collaborating with unions, such as the CWU.
  • Knowledge of continuous improvement tools and techniques.
  • Ability to maintain site HR systems and reporting alignment.
  • Relevant resourcing background or experience.
  • Experience of continuous improvement implementation for cost saving and efficiency improvement.
  • Family friendly support – enhanced maternity pay, paternity leave, adoption leave and shared parental leave.
  • Discounts and offers – there are more than 800 offers to help you save on things like groceries, days out, holidays and your household bills*.
  • Supportive and generous company sick pay.
  • Your Wellbeing – you and your family have 24/7 access to services and tools to help you get the most out of life. From your physical and mental health to financial and social support and advice. It’s free, and it’s for everyone.

*Available only to perm employees

Next Steps

If you are interested in applying, please complete your application online and submit your current CV. The next stage of the selection process will be a face-to-face interview consisting of competency based and role specific questions.

Trust is the foundation of Royal Mail. We aim to be transparent about the qualities we seek and what a career with us entails, building trust from the start of your journey with us. Your interview is the first step, and we want you to shine. To help you prepare, we’ll provide your interview questions in advance, so you can have your best examples ready. At Royal Mail Group, we value trust and our people.

Royal Mail Group is committed to inclusion and representing the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals. As a proud Gold signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, we especially encourage applications from the Armed Forces community, including cadet instructors and spouses/partners.

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to support you during the hiring process, please discuss these with your recruiter when contacted.

For more information on Royal Mail Group and our values please click here: https://www.internationaldistributionsservices.com/en/about-us/

Closing Date: Tuesday 24th June 2025. Please note, this advert may close early if the appropriate number of applications has been reached.

#RMG

Job reference 324276

Seniority level

  • Seniority level

    Mid-Senior level

Employment type

  • Employment type

    Full-time

Job function

  • Job function

    Management, Strategy/Planning, and Human Resources

  • Industries

    Freight and Package Transportation, Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage, and Warehousing and Storage

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Planning Manager employer: Royal Mail

Royal Mail is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee wellbeing and growth, offering a competitive salary starting from £52,513, alongside a generous benefits package including enhanced family leave, 25 days of annual leave, and a robust pension scheme. Located at the Midlands Super Hub in Crick, Northampton, the company fosters a supportive work culture that values trust, inclusion, and continuous improvement, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in logistics and planning.
Royal Mail

Contact Detail:

Royal Mail Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Planning Manager

Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific software and tools mentioned in the job description, such as the Manpower Planning package and RCS. Being able to demonstrate your proficiency in these systems during the interview will set you apart from other candidates.

Tip Number 2

Research Royal Mail's operational structure and recent changes in their logistics processes. Understanding their current challenges and how your skills can address them will show your genuine interest in the role and the company.

Tip Number 3

Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams and implemented continuous improvement initiatives in previous roles. This will help you illustrate your leadership capabilities and your ability to drive efficiency, which is crucial for the Planning Manager position.

Tip Number 4

Be ready to discuss your understanding of employment legislation, particularly the Working Time Directive and Data Protection Act. Showing that you are knowledgeable about these regulations will demonstrate your readiness to handle compliance responsibilities in the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Planning Manager

Manpower Planning Package Proficiency
Resource Allocation and Workload Management
Understanding of the Working Time Directive
Knowledge of the Data Protection Act
Recruitment and Interviewing Techniques
Financial Awareness and Budget Management
Advanced Excel Skills
Attention to Detail
Operational Knowledge in Automation Processing
Change Management Experience
Collaboration with Unions
Continuous Improvement Tools and Techniques
HR Systems Maintenance
Cost Saving and Efficiency Improvement Strategies

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and required skills for the Planning Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these requirements.

Craft a Strong CV: Ensure your CV is up-to-date and clearly outlines your relevant experience, particularly in resource planning, compliance, and team management. Use bullet points for clarity and focus on achievements that demonstrate your capabilities.

Write a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should complement your CV by providing specific examples of your past experiences that relate to the role. Emphasise your understanding of manpower planning and your ability to lead teams effectively.

Prepare for the Interview: Since Royal Mail provides interview questions in advance, take this opportunity to prepare detailed responses. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your problem-solving skills.

How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Mail

Understand the Role Requirements

Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Planning Manager at Royal Mail. Familiarise yourself with key terms like 'Manpower Planning package' and 'Working Time Directive', as these will likely come up during your interview.

Prepare for Competency-Based Questions

Since the interview will consist of competency-based questions, think of specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your skills in resource planning, team management, and compliance with legislation. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

As a Planning Manager, you'll need strong analytical skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data analysis in previous roles to improve efficiency or solve problems. Bring examples of reports or analyses you've conducted that had a positive impact on your team or organisation.

Demonstrate Your Leadership Experience

You'll be leading a team of up to 10 direct reports, so it's crucial to highlight your leadership experience. Discuss your approach to managing teams, resolving conflicts, and fostering collaboration, especially in a unionised environment like Royal Mail.

Planning Manager
Royal Mail
Location: Crick
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