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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise manufacturing and operations planning processes for impactful projects.
- Company: Join SEA, a leader in advanced solutions for global safety and efficiency.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while working with innovative technologies in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in materials and planning management, plus ERP system expertise required.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team dedicated to protecting what matters.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 75000 £ per year.
Engineered to Protect, that’s our promise, we protect what matters - our nations, our waters, our land, our cities, our people, our environment, our world. As Head of Materials and Planning you’ll lead the development and optimisation of the manufacturing and operations planning team and processes. This role will be responsible for ensuring that project, service, and sales order demand are effectively incorporated into a unified planning framework. The successful candidate will have proven experience in updating and managing ERP systems (Access Supply Chain), driving process improvements, and building a robust planning function that supports operational excellence. The Head of Materials and Planning can be based at any of our three sites, Barnstaple, Beckington, or Bristol. This role allows for flexible working with a minimal expectation of 3 days per week in Barnstaple for the initial period. The salary for this role is up to £75k, depending on experience.
What you’ll be doing
- Planning & Process Development
- Design and implement improved planning processes for manufacturing and operations.
- Develop integrated demand planning models that incorporate project, service, and sales order requirements.
- Establish KPIs and reporting mechanisms to monitor planning performance and material availability.
- Team Creation and Management
- Assess the current skills and abilities of the current team.
- Creating training requirements and plans.
- Filling gaps by recruitment or upskilling.
- ERP System Management
- Lead updates, configuration, and optimisation of the ERP system to support planning and materials management.
- Ensure accurate data input and reporting across projects, services, and sales orders.
- Materials Management
- Oversee material requirements planning (MRP) to ensure timely availability of resources.
- Collaborate with procurement and supply chain teams to align material flow with production schedules.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Projects, Service, Operations, Engineering, and Finance to align planning activities.
- Act as the central point of contact for planning-related communication across departments.
- Continuous Improvement
- Identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements to enhance planning accuracy and operational performance.
- Drive initiatives to improve communication, transparency, and accountability in planning activities.
The skills you need
- Proven track record in materials and planning management within a manufacturing or operations environment.
- Hands-on experience updating and optimising ERP systems (e.g. Access Supply Chain, SAP, Oracle, IFS, or similar).
- Strong background in demand planning across projects, services, and sales orders.
- Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
- Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems and advanced Excel or data analysis tools.
Join us and be part of something smaller – with 500 people in the UK and Canada – doing something bigger: protecting what matters.
Head of Materials and Planning in Barnstaple employer: SEA Ltd
Contact Detail:
SEA Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Materials and Planning in Barnstaple
✨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 Materials and 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 values. Understand their mission to protect what matters and think about how your experience aligns with that. We want to see your passion for operational excellence and process improvement shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills with real examples! When discussing your experience, highlight specific instances where you’ve optimised ERP systems or improved planning processes. We love seeing how you’ve made a tangible impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at SEA and contributing to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Materials and Planning in Barnstaple
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in materials and planning management. We want to see how your skills align with our mission of protecting what matters!
Show Off Your ERP Skills: Since managing ERP systems is key for this role, don’t forget to mention any hands-on experience you have with systems like Access Supply Chain or similar. We love seeing candidates who can drive process improvements!
Highlight Team Management Experience: If you've led teams before, share those experiences! We’re looking for someone who can assess skills, create training plans, and fill gaps effectively. Show us how you’ve built strong teams in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you into our system quickly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at SEA Ltd
✨Know Your ERP Systems
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of ERP systems, especially Access Supply Chain. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with updates and optimisations, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Process Improvement Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully implemented process improvements in previous roles. Highlight specific KPIs you established and how they enhanced planning performance or material availability.
✨Showcase Team Management Experience
Think about your past experiences in assessing team skills and creating training plans. Be ready to discuss how you’ve filled skill gaps through recruitment or upskilling, as team creation is a key part of this role.
✨Cross-Functional Collaboration
Be prepared to talk about your experience working with different departments like Projects, Service, and Finance. Share examples of how you’ve acted as a central point of contact for planning-related communication and how that improved collaboration.
