At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and manage efficient schedules for our Wastewater Operations team.
- Company: Join South West Water, a leader in the UK water sector with a green mission.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, competitive pension, health support, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to sustainability and community support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on essential services while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in planning or scheduling, strong organisational skills, and digital literacy.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose. South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK's most stunning landscapes. We're proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future.
We're looking for a highly organised and proactive Planner / Scheduler to join our Wastewater Operations team. This is a pivotal role at the heart of our operations - ensuring our field teams are in the right place, at the right time, with the right resources to deliver essential services to our communities.
You'll play a key part in keeping operations flowing smoothly by turning real-time data, operational priorities, and field intelligence into clear, achievable work plans. If you enjoy problem-solving, work well under pressure, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, this could be the perfect opportunity.
What you'll be doing:
- Building and maintaining efficient schedules across daily, weekly, and longer-term work plans
- Coordinating resources to balance preventative, reactive, and statutory work
- Managing real-time changes - adjusting plans quickly to resolve issues and minimise disruption
- Acting as the central point of communication between field teams, contractors, and internal stakeholders
- Using data and system insights to forecast demand, identify trends, and improve performance
- Supporting continuous improvement in productivity, efficiency, and operational flow
What we're looking for:
We're keen to hear from candidates who have:
- Experience in planning, scheduling, coordination, or workflow management within an operational or field-based environment
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced setting
- Confidence using planning or work management systems, alongside Microsoft Excel and other digital tools
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple teams
Qualifications & Requirements
Essential:
- Strong digital literacy, including Microsoft Office
- Ability to interpret and use operational data to support decision-making
Desirable:
- Level 3 qualification in Business Administration, Operations, Engineering, or similar
- Experience with scheduling or planning systems
- Health & safety awareness (e.g. IOSH Working Safely)
- Full UK driving licence (if site visits are required)
What's in it for you:
We know our people drive our success - so we're committed to offering an excellent range of benefits, including:
- Generous holiday allowance + bank holidays
- Discretionary bonus
- Competitive contributory pension
- Share-save scheme
- Health benefits & wellbeing support programmes
- Group discounts
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Financial support services
- Development and training opportunities... and much more!
This role offers a fantastic opportunity to be part of a team that plays a vital role in delivering safe, reliable wastewater services. You'll have the chance to make a measurable difference - supporting essential operations that benefit customers, communities, and the environment.
Closing Date: 17th June 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
- Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
- Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
- Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Planner/Scheduler employer: South West Water
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through extensive development and training opportunities, alongside a generous benefits package that includes competitive pensions and health support. Join us in a pivotal role as a Planner/Scheduler, where you can make a meaningful impact on essential services while enjoying the stunning landscapes of the South West.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planner/Scheduler
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research South West Water and their values. When you understand their mission, you can tailor your conversations to show how you fit into their vision of a greener future.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might just land you a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to planning and scheduling. Think about examples from your past experiences that showcase your organisational skills and problem-solving abilities.
✨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 you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at South West Water.
We think you need these skills to ace Planner/Scheduler
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Organisational Skills:As a Planner/Scheduler, your organisational skills are key! Make sure to highlight any relevant experience in planning or scheduling roles. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've successfully managed competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Be Data Savvy:We love candidates who can interpret and use operational data effectively. Mention any experience you have with planning systems or tools, especially if you're comfortable with Microsoft Excel. Show us how you've used data to make informed decisions in your previous roles!
Communicate Clearly:Excellent communication is crucial for this role. In your application, emphasise your ability to collaborate across teams and manage relationships with stakeholders. Share examples of how you've acted as a central point of communication in past positions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy, and you'll be able to showcase your skills and experiences in a way that aligns perfectly with what we're looking for. Don’t wait too long, though – we might close the vacancy early if we get a lot of applications!
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Planner/Scheduler in the wastewater operations team. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities like building schedules and managing resources. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Show Off Your Organisational Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've managed competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Think of times when you had to adjust plans quickly or coordinate resources effectively. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive under pressure, which is crucial for this role.
✨Get Comfortable with Data
Since the job involves using operational data to support decision-making, brush up on your skills with Microsoft Excel and any planning systems you’ve used before. Be ready to talk about how you've used data insights in past roles to improve performance or forecast demand.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Effective communication is key in this role, so think about how you can showcase your collaboration skills. Prepare to discuss how you've worked with different teams or stakeholders in the past, and be ready to explain how you would act as a central point of communication in this new role.
