Planning Manager

Planning Manager
£50,000–£65,000 + Bonus
Manchester (On-site with some flexibility)

Help scale a growing UK manufacturer.
This well-established engineering and manufacturing business supplies complex electrical products used in energy, rail, defence, and critical infrastructure projects across the globe.

They’re scaling fast – with turnover set to double this year – and shifting from low- to medium-volume production. As Planning Manager, you’ll lead the rebuild of planning systems and processes to help the business scale efficiently and sustainably.

Your role

This is a hands-on planning role. You’ll be at the centre of operations, working with supply chain, manufacturing, and leadership to ensure the right parts and products are available at the right time – all while improving systems, data, and decision-making.

Key responsibilities:

• Build and manage the Master Production Schedule (MPS)
• Lead the monthly S&OP process and weekly planning reviews
• Improve ERP system accuracy – BOMs, routings, and lead times
• Balance demand, capacity, and inventory to hit delivery targets
• Drive short-, medium-, and long-term capacity planning
• Lead improvements in scheduling, planning data, and forecasting
• Work with procurement and logistics to ensure material availability
• Support new product introductions and CI initiatives

What you’ll need

• Strong ERP/MRP experience – ideally having improved or implemented systems
• Background in production or materials planning within a busy factory environment
• Good Excel skills – confident with pivot tables and data analysis
• Clear communicator – able to bridge operations and commercial teams
• Experience applying lean manufacturing principles (especially in Kanban or high-mix settings)
• Resilient, logical, and proactive under pressure

Nice to have:

• Experience in a scaling SME
• A technical, engineering, or business-related degree

Why apply?

• Shape the planning function of a business in growth mode
• Work closely with leadership on business-critical decisions
• Career progression in a stable, supportive environment
• Competitive salary and bonus
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays, with buy/sell options
• Pension scheme 
• Enhanced maternity/paternity pay
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Access to financial advice, occupational health, and EAP
• Free on-site EV charging and parking

Ready to shape how planning works in a growing manufacturing business?
Apply now with your CV or get in touch for a confidential chat to learn more.