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- Tasks: Lead planning for a groundbreaking £1.25bn industrial programme and shape the future of Tata Steel UK.
- Company: Join Tata Steel, a top global steel producer committed to sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 35 days holiday, bonus scheme, and private healthcare.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on major projects that will last for decades and drive a greener future.
- Qualifications: Experience in large capital projects, strong leadership, and expertise in planning tools like Primavera P6.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth opportunities in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
Department: Project Invictus – Project Controls
Location: Port Talbot (SA13)
Salary: Competitive with Benefits
Closing Date: Sunday 15th February 2026
We believe that our strength is not just in our steel but the diversity of our workforce. Our people make the difference.
Do you want to shape the delivery of one of the most ambitious industrial programmes in Europe? Project Invictus is moving from vision to reality, and opportunities like this do not come along often. This is a once-in-a-generation transformation. A £1.25bn portfolio of capital projects that will fundamentally reshape Tata Steel UK and support the transition to a greener, lower-carbon future. At the heart of this programme is planning – not as a reporting function, but as a strategic driver of safe, predictable delivery.
As Planning Manager, you will play a pivotal role in setting the planning standards, governance and direction for a complex, multi-year programme that includes the construction of the largest electric arc furnace in the world. Your work will directly influence decision-making at programme and executive level, helping teams understand what is achievable, where risks lie, and how we recover when challenges arise. This is not a desk-based scheduling role. It is a leadership position with real influence, where your expertise will help turn strategy into reality. Join us and help shape the future of Tata Steel UK. The scale is significant, the challenge is real, and the legacy will last for decades.
What you will do
This role is for someone who already knows what it’s like to plan big, complicated programmes, not just individual projects. You will have experience working on major capital programmes with long timescales, multiple contractors and a lot of moving parts. You’ll be used to dealing with uncertainty, change and pressure, and to explaining what a plan really means to senior people who need clear answers. This isn’t a role for someone early in their planning career or for a purely technical scheduler. We need someone who can set direction, challenge assumptions and influence decisions, based on a solid understanding of how large programmes are actually delivered.
As Planning Manager, you will set the approach to planning across a complex, multi-year programme, including the build of a new electric arc furnace. Your plans will be used at programme and executive level to understand progress, risk and recovery options when things do not go to plan. This is not a desk-based scheduling role. It is a senior role with real influence, working closely with delivery teams, contractors and leadership to turn plans into outcomes.
What you will need
You will bring substantial experience of planning large, complex capital projects, ideally in heavy industry, energy, infrastructure or similarly demanding environments. You will be comfortable operating at programme level, with the credibility to influence senior leaders and challenge delivery teams constructively. Strong expertise in Primavera P6 and schedule analytics is essential, alongside a solid understanding of critical path method, earned value management and schedule risk. Experience working with NEC contracts and supporting schedule impact assessments will be highly valuable.
Just as important as technical skill is how you work. You will be a clear communicator, confident leader and practical problem-solver, able to balance governance with delivery and optimism with realism. You understand that good planning is not about producing perfect schedules, but about enabling better decisions. Qualifications in engineering, project management or planning are desirable, as is membership of a relevant professional body. Where gaps exist, we are committed to supporting development.
What we can offer you
Tata Steel UK offers their employees significant benefits packages. For this role, you will benefit from:
- A market competitive salary
- 35 days holidays per annum
- Annual Pay Review
- Bonus Scheme – subject to business performance
- Ongoing Tata Steel training, which has built a reputation as one of the best within the industry
- Private Healthcare Scheme (Individual cover)
- One of the UK’s leading defined contribution pension schemes (10% employer contribution / 6% employee contribution)
- Extensive lifestyle benefits including free onsite parking at all of our sites, an employee assistance programme as well as Employee discount scheme for companies including Vodafone, Jaguar Land Rover and also various local services.
Why us?
Tata Steel is one of the world’s top 10 steel producers. The combined group has an annual aggregate crude steel capacity of more than 33 million tonnes with approximately 80,000 employees across four continents. We’re part of the Tata Group, one of the largest, most diverse conglomerates in the world with businesses in the UK including Tata Steel, Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley Tea. Sustainability is at the very heart of what we do and we are dedicated to managing our operations responsibly and to continuously improving our performance. Innovating for tomorrow, making a positive impact today. Tata Steel in the UK is committed to our ambition of reducing energy consumption and to becoming a carbon neutral steelmaker by 2045.
Planning Manager in Port Talbot employer: Tata Steel UK
Contact Detail:
Tata Steel UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Manager in Port Talbot
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their goals and challenges, especially around sustainability and large-scale planning. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Planning Manager, you'll need to explain complex ideas clearly. Try mock interviews with friends or use online resources to refine your pitch and ensure you can convey your expertise confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining us at Tata Steel and contributing to our ambitious projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Manager in Port Talbot
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Planning Manager role. Highlight your experience with large, complex capital projects and how you've influenced decision-making in previous roles. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Expertise: Don’t hold back on showcasing your knowledge of Primavera P6, critical path method, and earned value management. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know how your technical skills will help shape our ambitious projects.
Communicate Clearly: Your application should reflect your ability to communicate effectively. Use clear and concise language to explain your past experiences and how they relate to the role. Remember, we need a confident leader who can convey complex ideas simply!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Tata Steel!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tata Steel UK
✨Know Your Planning Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of planning large, complex capital projects. Brush up on your knowledge of Primavera P6, critical path method, and earned value management. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the tools, but that you can apply them effectively in real-world scenarios.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
This role is all about influence and leadership, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully led teams through complex projects. Think of specific instances where you’ve had to challenge assumptions or guide decision-making at a senior level. This will highlight your ability to set direction and manage uncertainty.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
As a Planning Manager, clear communication is key. Practice articulating your thoughts on planning strategies and risk management in a straightforward manner. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate your points, ensuring that you convey your ideas in a way that’s easy for others to understand, especially those at the executive level.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving skills under pressure. Think about potential challenges you might encounter in a project like the electric arc furnace construction and how you would address them. This preparation will demonstrate your practical approach to planning and your readiness to tackle real-world issues.
