Operations Planner in Hereford

BPSS Screening: Due to the nature of our business and the projects we support, all successful candidates will be required to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment screening, including identity, right to work, employment history and criminal record checks, as applicable.

About Us

At Steatite, we design, manufacture, and supply advanced technology solutions — from industrial embedded computing and custom lithium battery packs to secure communications, antennas, and imaging systems.

Our innovations operate in some of the world’s most demanding environments. From the ocean floor to the edge of space, Steatite technology ensures critical systems perform reliably, consistently, and safely — 24/7. Whether enabling scientific discovery in extreme conditions, transmitting high-bandwidth data across challenging terrain, processing vast volumes of traffic data, or supporting secure transactions on the move, our solutions are built to perform when it matters most.

From day one, you will be part of an organisation that prioritises your safety and wellbeing, values your contribution, and is committed to making your career both rewarding and impactful.

Do you enjoy working with numbers, solving problems and finding better ways of doing things? Are you curious about how production works and what it takes to keep everything running smoothly?

Whether you are a graduate looking to put your analytical skills into practice or someone who has developed an understanding of production through hands‑on experience, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.At Steatite Antennas, we are looking for an Operations Planner who can bring together analytical thinking, a passion for production and the ability to work with people to help us plan and deliver our specialist engineering and manufacturing projects.
We are interested in your potential, how you approach challenges and your enthusiasm for making things work better. You don't need previous planning experience, but you will need to enjoy working with information, understanding how things fit together and finding practical solutions.
You will also have the opportunity to play an important role in implementing our new ERP/MRP system, helping shape how we plan, organise and manage production for the future.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Operations, you will help turn customer requirements, project priorities and manufacturing needs into clear, achievable production plans.
You will work alongside colleagues in engineering, production, supply chain, quality and project management, building relationships, sharing information and understanding how each team's activities contribute to the bigger picture.Using your analytical and numerical skills, you will look at workloads, available resources, production capacity and schedules to identify potential challenges, explore options and help everyone make informed decisions.
This is a varied role that combines analysis, planning, problem-solving and teamwork, with the opportunity to make a real difference to how we operate.

What You Will Be Doing

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Help develop and maintain production plans covering manufacturing projects, products, prototypes, testing and rework activities.
• Analyse workloads, production capacity, resource availability and competing priorities to support effective scheduling.
• Work with colleagues to ensure the right materials, information, equipment and resources are available when needed.
• Identify potential scheduling conflicts, assess their impact and help find practical solutions.
• Support adjustments to production plans as customer requirements and business priorities change.

Working Together

• Build positive working relationships with colleagues across engineering, production, supply chain, quality and project management.
• Take part in regular planning discussions, helping teams stay informed and aligned on priorities.
• Listen to different perspectives, ask questions and work together to overcome challenges.
• Communicate planning information clearly, helping colleagues understand what needs to happen and when.

Supporting Our New ERP/MRP System

We are introducing a new ERP/MRP system, and you will have the opportunity to be actively involved in its implementation.

• Develop and improve the way we organise and use production planning information.
• Prepare, check and validate data to support the introduction of the new system.
• Test planning and scheduling processes, providing feedback and suggesting improvements.
• Work alongside colleagues as we introduce new processes and ways of working.
• Build your own system knowledge and help others get the most from the new technology.

Making Things Better

• Analyse production information to identify trends, patterns and opportunities for improvement
• Help monitor scheduling effectiveness, resource utilisation and delivery performance.
• Explore ways to improve planning accuracy, efficiency and communication.
• Contribute ideas that make everyday processes simpler, more consistent and more effective.

About You

We are looking for someone who is naturally analytical, enjoys working with numbers and has a genuine interest in production and manufacturing. You may be a graduate in Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, Data Analytics or another numerically focused subject, looking for an opportunity to apply your skills in a practical environment. Alternatively, you may have worked in production, manufacturing, scheduling or a related environment and developed a good understanding of how things operate, along with a talent for organising information, identifying problems and improving processes.

Both routes are equally welcome. What matters is your ability to think logically, work with people and bring a positive, practical approach to planning.

We would particularly like to hear from you if you have:

• Strong numerical and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret information, recognise patterns and draw practical conclusions.
• A genuine passion for production and an interest in how manufacturing processes work.
• A logical, structured approach to problem-solving.
• Confidence using spreadsheets, working with data and learning new systems.
• Good organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage changing priorities.
• An approachable, collaborative nature and the confidence to communicate with colleagues at different levels.
• Curiosity, initiative and a willingness to learn, share ideas and challenge existing ways of working constructively.

A relevant degree or practical experience within a production or manufacturing environment would be beneficial, but neither is essential. We are interested in the strengths, aptitude and enthusiasm you can bring to the role.

Considering relocating for the right opportunity? We recognise that making a career move can also mean moving home, which is why relocation assistance may be available to help support your transition, subject to eligibility and Company approval.

Whether you are starting your career or bringing practical production knowledge, if you enjoy working with numbers, solving problems and making things happen, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits For You

• EV Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• 26 Days Annual Leave Plus Bank Holidays + More For Length of Service
• Pensions Plan
• Company Sick Pay Scheme
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Profit Share Scheme
• All Employee Share Plan

We are an equal opportunity employer fostering an inclusive recruitment experience for all candidates.

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