Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Planner

Location:

Ampthill

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000

Clearance: BPSS required to start

Sector:
Defence | Aerospace

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays.
• Competitive salary package.
• Generous pension scheme.
• Private medical cover.
• Employee life assurance.

IND4