Head of Planning & Logistics

Location:

Glasgow, United Kingdom Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Head of Planning and Logistics Together, we shape the world around usAt Thales, we bring together brilliant people from around the world to design and deliver innovative solutions that make tomorrow possible across aerospace, defence, digital identity, and security.

We are looking for a Head of Planning and Logistics to lead a critical function at the heart of our Industrial and Supply Chain operations. This is an opportunity to play a key leadership role in delivering operational excellence, enabling customer success, and shaping the future of our UK supply chain capability.

The role

As Head of Planning and Logistics, you will lead the strategy, governance, and performance of planning and logistics activities, ensuring the seamless flow of materials, information, and resources from suppliers through to customers.

You will champion the professionalisation of planning and logistics, driving best practice, continuous improvement, and capability development while empowering teams to operate with autonomy and accountability.

Key responsibilities

Lead the Planning function and associated governance, ensuring alignment with operational and strategic objectives

Deliver robust Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), developing viable and resilient supply plans

Oversee the planning of all materials and resources in support of company operating plans

Drive the implementation and governance of MRP2 best practices and ERP-enabled planning processes

Ensure effective supply chain analysis and performance insight to support decision-making

Lead and optimise logistics operations, including 3PL/4PL partner relationships where applicable

Manage inventory strategy and flows, from goods receipt through to despatch

Support production and repair units to meet delivery, capacity, and performance commitments

Contribute to the strategic evolution of supply chain capabilities, including investment, tools, and processes

Embed a culture of Lean thinking and continuous improvement, reducing lead times, WIP, and inventory

Lead cross-functional collaboration to ensure alignment across Procurement, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Projects Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks and business requirements across all logistics flows

About youYou are a strategic, collaborative leader who brings both technical expertise and a passion for developing people and improving systems.

Skills and expertise

Deep understanding of complex, multi-site supply chain environments

Expertise in MRP2, ERP systems, and data-driven decision-making

Strong knowledge of planning, production, repair, and logistics flows

Proven ability to lead teams through change and transformation

Experience applying Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies

Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills

Ability to translate strategic priorities into practical, deliverable outcomes

Experience

Proven success in a senior planning or supply chain leadership role within an industrial or manufacturing environment

Experience of inventory optimisation and flow management

Strong track record in ERP/MES implementation and improvement

Experience delivering change, transformation, and performance improvement initiatives

End-to-end understanding of supply chain disciplines

Qualifications

Degree in Business, Engineering, Manufacturing, or Logistics (or equivalent experience)
APICS certification (or willingness to achieve)
Our values

At Thales, our behaviours guide everything we do:

Think Big – shaping the future and anticipating tomorrow’s challenges

Make It Happen – delivering value for our customers with agility and accountability

Together – growing ourselves and others while embracing diversity and inclusion

We are…