Vision Profiles is a growing aluminium manufacturing business supplying customers across a range of sectors. We are looking for an experienced Production Planner to join our team and take ownership of the day‑to‑day planning and coordination of production.
Reporting directly to the Operations Manager, this is a hands‑on manufacturing planning role. You won't be sitting away from the factory simply moving dates around a computer system. You'll work closely with Production, Purchasing, Sales, Quality and Dispatch to make sure work flows through the factory efficiently and customer requirements are met.
What you'll be doing
- Creating and maintaining production schedules
- Planning picking of material for orders, CNC machining, fabrication, assembly and packing activities
- Balancing customer requirements against machine and labour capacity
- Monitoring production progress and adjusting plans when priorities change
- Identifying potential delays before they become problems
- Working closely with Production Team Leaders and operators
- Checking material availability and liaising with Purchasing
- Coordinating subcontract and other external requirements where required
- Maintaining accurate planning information within the company's systems
- Communicating realistic delivery dates and changes to relevant departments
- Helping improve production planning processes and efficiency
- Supporting longer‑term capacity and resource planning
What we're looking for
We're looking for someone who understands manufacturing, not just administration.
You will ideally have experience in:
- Production Planning
- Production Scheduling
- Manufacturing Coordination
- MRP/ERP systems
- Capacity planning
- CNC or engineering/manufacturing environments
Experience of aluminium fabrication, CNC machining or a similar manufacturing environment would be particularly useful, but we are also interested in candidates with strong planning experience from other manufacturing sectors.
You will need to be:
- Highly organised
- Able to take ownership and follow through to completion
- Able to prioritise when everything is urgent and able to challenge priorities when necessary
- Practical and commercially aware
- Comfortable working under pressure, can remain calm and organised in a fast-moving environment.
- A strong communicator - communicates clearly and confidently with people at all levels.
- Able to build good working relationships with both office and factory teams.
- Proficient with Excel, IT literate, and comfortable working with production planning systems.
- Someone who naturally looks for solutions rather than simply identifying problems
What matters most
The successful candidate will need to be able to walk onto the factory floor, understand what is happening and make sensible planning decisions based on reality.
Production planning is rarely straightforward. Machines go down, materials arrive late, priorities change and customer requirements move. We need someone who can assess the situation, communicate clearly and make practical decisions to keep production moving.
How we work
How you work is just as important to us as what you do. Our values shape how we work together and the kind of team we're building at Vision Profiles.
In this role, that means:
- Second best is not an option;you care about getting the plan right, maintaining accurate information and continually looking for ways to improve how we work.
- People first;you understand that a production plan only works when the people delivering it understand it, and you communicate with respect even when the pressure is on.
- Better together;you work across departments rather than in isolation, sharing information early and involving the right people when priorities or circumstances change.
- Do what's right;you make honest, practical decisions based on what's actually happening, and you're prepared to have a direct conversation when something isn't achievable.
- Your work matters;you take ownership and understand the impact your decisions have on colleagues, production performance and ultimately our customers.
- Be curious;you don't just work around recurring problems; you ask why they're happening and look for better ways of planning and working.
Our motto is simple: All in it together. We're looking for someone who wants to work that way too.
What we can offer
This is an opportunity to join a growing manufacturing business where the Production Planner has a genuinely important role in how the factory operates. Alongside a competitive salary, we offer:
- 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
- An additional day off for your birthday
- Fridays finishing at 12
- Monthly team lunches
- Staff social events throughout the year
- Employee Assistance Programme
- A growing range of employee benefits as we continue to invest in making Vision Profiles a great place to work
People First is one of our core values, and we're committed to making that mean something in practice. We're continuing to develop our benefits and the wider employee experience as part of building a workplace where people feel valued, supported and able to do their best work. As part of a growing business, this role offers the opportunity to:
- Take ownership of the production planning function.
- Work closely with all areas of the business.
- Improve planning processes and systems.
- Influence how production is organised and prioritised.
- Develop your role as the business continues to grow.
- Make a visible and measurable difference to production performance.
Salary: £30-35K dependent on experience.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Planner in Gloucester
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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!
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✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Vision Profiles Ltd, 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!
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 Vision Profiles Ltd 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 Vision Profiles Ltd
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Vision Profiles Ltd, 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 Vision Profiles Ltd 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.
