Planning Manager

Location: Ely (CB6)
Duration: Permanent
Hours: 7:30am - 4:30pm Monday to Thursday and 7:30am - 1pm on Friday
Salary: Competitive
Job Reference: 35877

Polytec are seeking a highly skilled Planning Manager to join our Ely based client. The successful candidate will drive operational excellence through Lean manufacturing principles, ensuring production targets are met consistently and that continuous improvement is a core part of the culture. This is a hands-on leadership position, suited to an individual with strong people management skills, a proven record in Lean manufacturing, and the ability to drive measurable performance improvements across teams and processes.

Responsibilities

* Ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all team members, maintaining and reviewing risk assessments, conducting safety inspections, and leading incident investigations
* Communicate operational goals and KPIs effectively to the team, ensuring optimal use of all resources
* Lead performance management, including appraisals, training and development, recruitment, and disciplinary processes
* Conduct daily Tier meetings to review progress, motivate teams, and reinforce Lean and operational priorities
* Ensure adherence to standard work, operating procedures and company policies
* Coach, mentor, and develop team members to ensure high levels of engagement, capability, and performance
* Actively promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth within the team
* Drive adoption of Lean manufacturing practices across all assembly operations
* Redesign and optimise production systems to support a pull-based material and information flow
* Maintain and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Leader Standard Work, and risk assessments
* Ensure accuracy and best practices in stock management and inventory control
* Support the implementation and sustainment of the Lean Management System, including visual controls and tiered accountability meetings
* Lead root cause analysis and continuous improvement activities to resolve production issues and prevent recurrence
* Develop and oversee total productive maintenance (TPM) routines to maximise equipment reliability

Requirements

* Level 5 qualification (HND or equivalent) in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field
* Minimum 3 years' management experience within a manufacturing environment
* Strong working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and practical application
* Experience using MRP/ERP systems to support efficient production and material flow
* Demonstrated success in driving operational improvements and leading cross-functional teams
* In-depth understanding of Lean tools such as Value Stream Mapping, Visual Management, and Continuous Improvement

Please contact us as soon as possible for more details or apply below!