Role Information
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Job Title: Production Planning Lead
Salary: Up to £38,000 DOE
Location: Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales
Responsibilities
- Lead the development and execution of capacity planning strategies, ensuring optimal utilisation of resources and alignment with production demands and maintenance cycles.
- Own and drive material planning, inventory management and stock control through ERP/MRP systems to meet customer and project requirements.
- Ensure full integration of capacity and material planning within ERP/MRP systems to optimise delivery performance, efficiency and cost.
- Provide leadership, guidance and support to Production Planners, ensuring consistency, accuracy and best practice across the planning function.
- Own data integrity within the ERP system (IFS), ensuring accurate master data, timely MRP execution and resolution of system and stock issues.
- Oversee project loading into ERP systems, ensuring accurate setup of Master Parts, BOMs and key planning data following design release.
- Control the timely release of projects to planning, procurement and production, ensuring alignment with delivery schedules.
- Govern change management within MRP systems, ensuring all amendments are controlled, traceable and reflect latest design intent.
- Ensure accurate linking of shop orders and parent orders to enable robust cost tracking and financial visibility.
- Monitor planning performance, proactively identifying risks, constraints and deviations, and implementing corrective actions.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives across planning systems, processes and methodologies (Lean, 5S, digital optimisation).
- Provide planning expertise and input into bids, forecasting and long-term capacity planning.
- Ensure effective project closure processes, including material issuing, system accuracy and cost roll-up for finance and project teams.
- Act as the subject matter expert for ERP/MRP systems, delivering training, guidance and support to stakeholders.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to align planning with operational priorities and business.
Qualifications
- Significant experience within a production planning, manufacturing engineering or operations planning environment.
- Proven experience in leading or coordinating planning activities within a production, assembly or vehicle build environment.
- Strong track record of using ERP/MRP systems to manage capacity, materials and production flow.
- Experience in driving improvements in planning processes, systems or data accuracy.
- Demonstrated ability to influence and coordinate across multiple functions.
- Advanced experience in production or factory planning roles.
- Strong working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and end-to-end planning processes.
- High level of IT proficiency, including Excel and ERP platforms.
- In-depth understanding of capacity planning, inventory management and production flow optimisation.
- Strong analytical, organisational and problem‑solving skills.
- Effective communication skills with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work accurately under pressure.
Additional Local Needs
- Onsite working.
- Candidates must obtain BPSS clearance.
Benefits of This Role
- Opportunity to lead and shape the production planning function within a complex manufacturing environment.
- Increased ownership and influence over end-to-end planning, delivery and operational performance.
- Development of leadership, strategic planning and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Exposure to business-critical decision-making and long-term capacity planning.
- Opportunities for progression into senior operations, supply chain or planning leadership.
- Involvement in driving system, process and digital transformation initiatives.
