At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure timely product supply by developing effective production schedules and collaborating with teams.
- Company: Join Thorlabs, a leading global optical technologies company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension, healthcare, 25 days holiday, and in-house training opportunities.
- Other info: Work in a purpose-built facility near Cambridge with excellent transport links.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in production planning while advancing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in planning or supply chain, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 41000 £ per year.
You will play a key role in ensuring the continuous, on-time supply of products to customers and warehouses by developing and maintaining effective production schedules across Assembly and the In-house Machine Shop. Working closely with Production, Engineering, and Machine Shop teams, you will balance customer demand with manufacturing capacity, manage MRP planning parameters, and support product lifecycle activities such as new product introductions, obsolescence management, and the transfer of products into in-house manufacturing. You will help maintain customer delivery performance, optimise inventory levels, and ensure the smooth transition of new products into full-scale production.
Working Hours: Monday to Friday 9am - 5:30pm
Department: Motion Control
Interview process: 2 stage process following shortlisting – First stage: 1 Hour Teams interview; Second stage: Onsite 3 hour interview
What is essential to us…
- Previous Planning, Inventory Controller, or other Supply Chain related experience required
- Experience within a manufacturing environment preferred
- Project management experience preferred
- Demonstrated application of lean/continuous improvement tools/methodologies
- Scheduling techniques including bottleneck management and capacity scheduling (production and machine shop)
- Kanban calculations and monitoring of material flow
- Strong analytical skills and ability to draw actionable insights from data
- Ability to use lean tools to identify root cause and work with relevant teams on corrective actions
- Detail oriented and able to work in a structured and organised manner
- Advanced user of Microsoft Excel, with the ability to manipulate large datasets, analyze production and inventory data, and develop efficient planning tools and reports.
- Effective communicator with excellent written and verbal skills
- A positive approach to continuous improvement activities
- Able to work collaboratively with Stores, Production, Machine Shop, Engineering, Inspection, and Packing teams to ensure uninterrupted flow of goods to meet requested delivery dates
- A flexible approach to work requests – prepared to go the extra mile to get the job done
What we would like you to do/to see…
- Production Flow Support (Assembly and In-House Manufacturing): Develop and maintain an achievable business unit production plan that aligns MRP demand, inventory availability, and manufacturing and production capacity to meet committed customer delivery dates. Participate in regular production review meetings and oversee the allocation of work when Team Leaders are unavailable. Monitor production capacity utilisation throughout the day, identifying risks and constraints, escalating production flow interruptions, and initiating appropriate supply chain corrective actions. Maintain and manage planning-related ERP/MRP parameters to ensure data accuracy and effective production scheduling. Respond promptly to lead time and delivery update requests from global sales teams. Analyse production KPIs, including late orders, open works orders, and stock shortages, to identify trends and implement continuous improvement opportunities. Contribute to the development and implementation of new planning methods, processes, and strategies that improve operational efficiency and productivity. Apply structured problem‐solving techniques, including root cause analysis and PDCA/Lean methodologies, to resolve planning and supply chain issues. Follow departmental procedures and standardised work practices while actively contributing to their ongoing review and improvement.
- Periodic/Projects (Obsolescence, NPI, Process or Component Changes): Manage planning activities for New Product Introductions (NPI), product obsolescence, and the transition to in‑house manufacturing by ensuring all production planning MRP parameters (e.g., production pools, routes, serialisation, and related settings) are correctly configured to support a seamless production launch. Liaise with the Documentation & Data team to ensure new products are accurately configured across all warehouse entities prior to NPI release. Coordinate warehouse stock run‑down activities for obsolete products by balancing customer demand with warehouse replenishment, adjusting inventory parameters, and managing component consumption to minimise excess stock. Participate in obsolescence review meetings, providing projected warehouse depletion timelines to support uninterrupted product availability, and communicate inventory run‑down progress to Production, Engineering, and Machine Shop teams. Contribute to cross‑functional projects that impact production planning, including new product introductions, transition to in‑house manufacturing, product obsolescence, and changes to processes, components, or manufacturing routes. Continuously develop expertise in production planning MRP parameters by participating in D365 planning forums, collaborating with cross‑functional teams, and supporting the implementation of improved planning processes.
What will you get? At Thorlabs there are lots of opportunities for in‑house customised training and development that accelerates your career progression. We have free onsite parking, free refreshments, as well as an entertainment area in our large canteen for your enjoyment.
And the benefits are? Competitive Salary to attract the best, plus an excellent benefits package including pension, health care, 25 days holiday plus public holidays.
We welcome applications from persons who are over 18 years old. This role does not currently meet the UK Visas and Immigration criteria for obtaining a Skilled Worker Visa we are therefore unable to accept applications that require employer sponsorship in order to obtain a Skilled Worker Visa. All offers of employment are subject to eligibility to work in the UK. We would encourage all internal applicants to inform their line managers of their interest in this position.
- Contributed Pension Scheme
- Group Life Cover
- Private Health Care
- Group Income Protection & more.
We are Disability Confident Committed.
Production Value Stream Planner - 2054 in Ely employer: Vytran LLC
Thorlabs is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the field of photonics. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development and a supportive environment that values communication and teamwork. Located in Ely, UK, our hybrid role allows for flexibility while engaging with cutting-edge technology and a diverse range of clients, making it a rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Value Stream Planner - 2054 in Ely
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We think you need these skills to ace Production Value Stream Planner - 2054 in Ely
Some tips for your application 🫡
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Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Vytran LLC 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 Vytran LLC
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Vytran LLC, 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!
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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.
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In a full-time role, companies like Vytran LLC 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.
