At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and manage production schedules for complex engineering projects.
- Company: Leading defence and advanced-engineering manufacturer in Bedfordshire.
- Benefits: Permanent role with competitive salary and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and enhance your skills in a regulated sector.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-value products in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in production planning and strong SAP knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 42750 - 52250 £ per year.
- Manufacturing Planner
- Complex Systems | Defence Manufacturing | Production Planning | SAP
The Opportunity
We are recruiting an experienced Manufacturing Planner to support the manufacture and delivery of complex, high-value products within a leading defence and advanced-engineering environment.
This is a key operational role responsible for developing and maintaining robust production plans across multiple programmes.
You will create detailed short-term schedules, produce six-week capacity forecasts and use SAP to ensure the effective utilisation of labour, machinery, materials and specialist skills.
Working closely with Production, Engineering, Supply Chain and Programme teams, you will identify potential constraints, maintain material readiness and ensure manufacturing activities remain aligned with customer commitments and programme milestones.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain detailed production schedules across multiple manufacturing programmes.
- Identify planning risks, capacity constraints and potential delivery issues, ensuring these are escalated appropriately.
- Produce and maintain six-week capacity plans covering labour, machinery and specialist skills.
- Work collaboratively with Production and Engineering teams to improve resource utilisation and manufacturing throughput.
- Coordinate production schedules with planned machine maintenance and equipment availability.
- Interpret Integrated Master Schedules to align manufacturing capability with programme requirements.
- Lead Line of Balance reviews and engage cross-functional stakeholders to improve delivery performance.
- Ensure production plans support customer requirements, contractual milestones and programme priorities.
- Support daily and weekly production-planning reviews, monitoring performance against agreed schedules.
- Manage SAP demand and production-planning activities throughout the project lifecycle.
- Monitor material availability and maintain readiness to support on-time production and delivery.
- Provide planning and capacity information to support bids, forecasts and Basis of Estimate development.
- Maintain accurate planning data and provide clear reporting on progress, risks and resource requirements.
Skills and Experience
- Previous experience in production planning, manufacturing planning or scheduling within a complex manufacturing environment.
- Strong working knowledge of SAP Production Planning and Material Control.
- Proven experience in capacity planning, resource management and production scheduling.
- The ability to interpret Integrated Master Schedules and translate programme requirements into achievable production plans.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent stakeholder-management and communication skills.
- The confidence to challenge plans, highlight risks and influence cross-functional teams.
- A structured and proactive approach to managing competing programme priorities.
Desirable Experience
- Aerospace, defence, engineering or another highly regulated manufacturing sector.
- Subcontract order management.
- Microsoft Project.
- Manufacturing engineering or production operations.
- Supporting bids, forecasts and Basis of Estimate development.
- Planning the manufacture of complex, low-volume and high-value products.
Why Apply?
This is an excellent opportunity to play an important role in the delivery of complex engineering programmes within a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
You will work with a broad range of technical and operational stakeholders while directly influencing production performance, resource utilisation and customer delivery.
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Manufacturing Planner in Houghton Conquest employer: TXM Recruit
TXM Recruit is an excellent employer, offering a long-term temp-to-perm contract with a focus on stability and career growth for carpenters at large MOD sites near St. Neots. With competitive pay, mileage reimbursement, and a commitment to equal opportunities, employees can expect a supportive work culture that values their skills and contributions while providing ample opportunities for professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manufacturing Planner in Houghton Conquest
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like TXM Recruit, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Manufacturing Planner in Houghton Conquest
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to TXM Recruit specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at TXM Recruit
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with TXM Recruit, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like TXM Recruit value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
