Location: Ampthill
Salary: £40,000 – £45,000
Clearance: BPSS required to start
Sector: Defence | Aerospace
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced Manufacturing Planner to develop and optimise production planning processes within the Special Projects business area.
You’ll create and maintain short-term production plans, providing clear daily and weekly priorities for Production Operations, with a particular focus on development and prototype programmes.
The role will provide weekly and fortnightly planning visibility, ensuring machine capacity, labour, materials and manufacturing readiness are aligned with programme requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop and manage short-term production plans, identifying and escalating risks and constraints.
Perform capacity planning across labour, machinery and specialist skill sets.
Support machine maintenance planning to minimise disruption.
Interpret Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) and align manufacturing plans with programme milestones.
Lead Line of Balance (LOB) reviews across multiple programmes.
Support weekly planning reviews and daily Level 0/Level 1 meetings.
Communicate production priorities and monitor progress against plan.
Develop Basis of Estimates (BOEs) for programmes, supporting bids and planning activities.
Manage SAP production planning, material control and manufacturing demand.
Drive manufacturing readiness through material availability and accurate planning.
Maintain oversight of project-specific material and demand requirements.
Work cross-functionally to resolve planning, resource and material constraints.
Required Experience:
Strong experience with SAP Production Planning and Material Control.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
Proven experience in production planning, capacity planning and resource management.
Ability to interpret and manage Integrated Master Schedules (IMS).
Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Desirable Experience:
Managing subcontractor orders and external manufacturing suppliers.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Project.
Development, prototype or low-volume/high-complexity manufacturing experience.
Aerospace, Defence or advanced engineering manufacturing experience.
Benefits:
25 days annual leave + bank holidays.
Competitive salary package.
Generous pension scheme.
Private medical cover.
Employee life assurance.
Interested?
Please get in touch with Justin Thornhill to discuss the opportunity and next steps.
IND4
Salary description
£40000.00 - £45000.00 per year