Job Description:
Your impact
Leonardo is seeking an experienced Planning Manager to join our Operations team at our Southampton site. This is a key role within the organisation, responsible for ensuring robust production planning and supporting the delivery of operational commitments across the business.
As Planning Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering the operational plan—bringing together demand, supply, and execution to ensure the business can deliver on its commitments. Working closely with stakeholders across the organisation, you will turn complex data and priorities into clear, achievable plans that drive performance, improve delivery, and keep operations running smoothly.
This role will involve line management.
Key responsibilities of the Planning Manager:
Own and maintain the Master Production Schedule (MPS) and SAP planning data, ensuring alignment between customer demand, material availability and operational capacity.
Ensure purchase requisitions are raised in line with the plan, working closely with Procurement to enable timely conversion to purchase orders.
Develop and maintain MRP / material plans that support delivery commitments while optimising inventory.
Review Bills of Material (BOM) and configuration changes to ensure accurate planning and smooth embodiment of design updates.
Work closely with Operations, Procurement, Engineering and Programmes to ensure plans are realistic, aligned and deliverable.
Provide clear planning updates and insight to stakeholders, highlighting risks, constraints and opportunities.
Analyse planning and delivery performance data to identify trends, improve schedule achievability and support informed decision-making.
Ensure planning master data and system integrity are maintained to support accurate operational planning.
Identify and manage risks, constraints and issues that could impact delivery, taking proactive action to maintain schedule performance.
Provide effective line management to the Planning team, including setting clear objectives, conducting regular 1:1s, supporting performance development, and fostering a positive, high‑performing team culture. Ensure team members are coached, supported and equipped with the skills, tools and guidance needed to deliver high‑quality planning outputs.
What you'll bring
Strong understanding of material planning and supply chain requirements within an operational environment.
Excellent organisation, communication and analytical skills.
Experience using SAP and Excel to manage and analyse planning or material data.
Ability to interpret data and performance metrics to make informed decisions and manage risk.
Confident communicator, able to clearly present plans, risks and updates to cross-functional stakeholders.
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and drive practical solutions.
Experience working with or leading cross-functional teams to deliver operational outcomes.
Effective time management, able to prioritise multiple activities and meet deadlines.
Comfortable working independently while coordinating with key stakeholders.
High attention to detail to ensure accuracy and integrity of planning data.
Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships and collaborate across teams.
Ability to remain adaptable in a fast-moving environment, adjusting plans as priorities evolve.
Security Clearance
This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel
Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security
Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC)
or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit:
Why join us
At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.
• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexidays each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.
For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.
Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a
team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.
At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe
that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people
and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment
process, just let us know.
Be part of something bigger - apply now