This role relies heavily on the use of a Material Requirements Planning (MRP) system to manage inventory levels, optimize resource utilization, and maintain accurate production data. The Production Planner works closely with procurement, manufacturing, engineering, and logistics teams to align production plans with customer demand and organizational objectives.

Key Responsibilities MRP & Production Planning

• Develop and maintain detailed production schedules within the MRP system.
• Convert forecast and customer demand into actionable production plans.
• Monitor MRP outputs, including planned orders, material shortages, and capacity requirements.
• Maintain accurate system data such as BOMs, routings, lead times, and inventory parameters.

Material & Inventory Management

• Ensure materials are available to support production schedules while minimizing excess inventory.
• Review material availability reports and coordinate with procurement on shortages or delays.
• Analyze scrap, rework, and yield issues to update material planning as needed.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Communicate production plans and capacity constraints to operations, engineering, and supply chain teams.
• Collaborate with purchasing to expedite critical materials when required.
• Work with quality and engineering to manage changes to BOMs, specifications, or processes.
• Support logistics in meeting on-time delivery targets for customers.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Track key production KPIs such as schedule adherence, lead times, and inventory accuracy.
• Analyze variances between planned and actual production and propose corrective actions.
• Prepare regular planning reports and present insights to management.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve planning processes, data accuracy, and MRP utilization.
• Assist in the implementation of new planning tools, system upgrades, and process changes.
• Support lean manufacturing initiatives, including workflow optimization and waste reduction.

Qualifications Required

• Supply Chain, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• 2–5 years of production planning experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with MRP/ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Flowlens, Infor).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration ability.
• Proficient in Excel or similar data-analysis tools.

Preferred

• APICS CPIM certification or equivalent.
• Experience in aerospace, automotive, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.

Core Competencies

• Attention to Detail – Ensures accuracy in schedules, materials data, and system entries.
• Time Management – Manages priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Systems Thinking – Understands how planning decisions impact inventory, capacity, and customer delivery.
• Decision-Making – Makes data-driven choices under tight deadlines.
• Collaboration – Works well with diverse teams across the organization.

Location: This position is an office based on site at our Fareham, UK production facility.

Security Requirement To be eligible for this role, you must be able to meet the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). This includes confirming your identity, legal right to work in the UK, recent employment history, and criminal record (unspent convictions only).

Unfortunately, we’re unable to consider applicants who cannot meet these requirements and are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.