Production Planner

Role Overview

We are recruiting for an experienced Production Planner to work from our manufacturing site in Ashington. The Production Planner is responsible for planning, scheduling, and coordinating production activities to ensure efficient operations and on-time delivery of products. This role works closely with manufacturing, procurement, engineering, and inventory teams to balance demand, capacity, and materials while optimizing workflow and minimizing costs.

Duties & Key Responsibilities

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Develop and maintain daily, weekly, and long-term production schedules based on sales orders, forecasts, and capacity.
• Analyse production constraints (labour, machine time, materials) and adjust plans to meet deadlines.
• Release work orders and ensure accurate routing and bill of materials (BOM) information.

Material & Inventory Coordination

• Monitor material availability and coordinate with procurement to prevent shortages or delays.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels; support cycle counts and inventory accuracy efforts.
• Track usage trends and recommend adjustments to safety stock levels.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Communicate schedule updates and priorities to production, quality, supply chain, and engineering teams.
• Coordinate with customer service on lead times and order status.
• Support new product introductions by planning material requirements and production timelines.

Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

• Track production performance metrics (e.g., schedule adherence, throughput, capacity utilization).
• Identify bottlenecks and propose process improvements to increase efficiency.
• Use ERP/MRP systems to manage planning data and maintain accurate production records.

Health, Safety & Environment

• Ensure that you comply with the requirements of the company Health, Safety and Environmental Policy.
• Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work.
• Promote a safe working environment by directly challenging or reporting unsafe or environmentally damaging practices and hazardous working conditions.
• Always be observant and where applicable make suggestions on health, safety and environmental improvements that can or should be made.
• Support environmental sustainability initiatives within the company such as segregating waste and switching off electrical equipment where appropriate and not in use.

• The position carries the authority to:

• Stop production if dangerous practice is in evidence or excessive reject or non-conforming product is being produced.

• Give direction to leading hands and operatives as to the best manufacturing practice and policies / procedures to be observed.

Quality

• Assures system or product quality by abiding by UEL QMS processes, procedures and work instructions.
• Quality is the concern of every employee & it is every employees duty to inform those responsible for quality if a product does not conform.

Experience / Qualifications

• Previous experience in production planning, operations, or a similar field.
• Knowledge of production management software (ERP/MRP systems) and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• In particular, knowledge of Oracle NetSuite would be advantageous.

Skills

• Possess strong organizational and administration skills, in order to manage multiple operations.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving, skills.
• Proficiency in Excel and data analysis tools.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced setting.

Attributes, Values & Behaviours

• Highly organised.
• Proactive.
• Able to work in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to work as part of a team / independently.
• Good work ethic.
• Team player.
• Attention to detail with a conscientious approach.
• Professional and friendly demeanour.

Pay

£30,000 – £35,000 per annum, depending on experience.

Schedule

Monday to Thursday 8:30am – 5pm, Friday 8:30am – 1:30pm

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £30,000.00-£35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Ashington NE63 8UA: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Application question(s):

• Please advise available start date (based on notice period at current position)?
• Please list the MRP / ERP software you have experience in?

Experience:

• Production planning: 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person