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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead materials and planning to optimise manufacturing processes and ensure resource availability.
- Company: Join SEA, a leader in advanced solutions for global safety and efficiency.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, private health insurance, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that protects what matters while driving innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in materials management and ERP systems, with strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
About The Role
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 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
- Assessing 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.
About our company
At SEA, we develop and deliver advanced solutions to make our world safer, cleaner and more efficient. We provide state-of-the-art applications for naval ship and fleet protection, and undersea surveillance systems. In-service across the globe, our systems deliver a rapid response to threats and system effectiveness and interoperation. Our systems support an ever-growing number of navies across the world, and we continue to bolster our already specialist, on-the-ground knowledge of key overseas markets.
What we offer
At our core, we encourage innovation, flexibility and out-of-the-box thinking to solve problems, so we're always looking for talented, flexible, and creative people to bring their best to SEA. In return we offer generous rewards, a fantastic work/life balance, and excellent career and training opportunities for everyone who joins. Have a look at the benefits we offer:
- Work life balance
- Hybrid/flexible working arrangements
- 25 days annual leave, plus buy and sell
- Up to 16 days flexi leave accrual
- Half day Fridays
- Reservists in the Armed Forces receive special paid leave
- Family & wellbeing Private medical health insurance & Employee Assistance Program
- All Staff Bonus
- Group Pension Plan of up to 7% employer contribution
- Cycle to work scheme
- Wellbeing Centre
- Sports & Social activities
- Employee Discounts portal - online and in-store discounts, travel savings
- Life assurance policy
- Publication and recruitment bonus rewards
- Development opportunities, including LinkedIn learning
- Facilities & resources Electric vehicle charging points at all sites
- Private seated lunch areas
- Onsite bistro (Barnstaple office) and free hot and cold beverages
- Onsite showers and toiletries provision
- Free onsite parking
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.
If you’d like to know more, please give Dave from our Talent Acquisition Team a call on 03330 414172.
Head of Materials and Planning in Barnstaple employer: Systems Engineering and Assessment Limited
Contact Detail:
Systems Engineering and Assessment Limited 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 new role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their mission and values, especially how they relate to protecting what matters. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online resources to refine your answers. Focus on articulating your experience with ERP systems and process improvements clearly and confidently.
✨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 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 the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Show Off Your ERP Skills: Since this role involves managing ERP systems, be sure to mention any hands-on experience you have with systems like Access Supply Chain or similar. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their technical prowess!
Highlight Team Management Experience: As a Head of Materials and Planning, you'll be leading a team. Share examples of how you've assessed team skills, created training plans, or filled gaps through recruitment. We’re keen to know how you’ve built strong teams in the past!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Systems Engineering and Assessment Limited
✨Know Your ERP Systems
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of ERP systems, especially Access Supply Chain or similar platforms. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with updates and optimisations, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Planning Skills
Prepare examples of how you've designed and implemented planning processes in previous roles. Highlight any integrated demand planning models you've developed and how they improved operational efficiency.
✨Showcase Team Management Experience
Be ready to talk about your experience in assessing team skills and creating training plans. Discuss how you've filled skill gaps through recruitment or upskilling, as building a robust team is key for this position.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Think of specific instances where you've identified inefficiencies and implemented process improvements. Share how these initiatives enhanced planning accuracy and operational performance, as this aligns perfectly with the company's focus on innovation.
