Operations Planner

Lanes Group is a leading nationwide utility services provider with c.5000 dedicated employees. Our diverse subsidiaries drive our success across various sectors, contributing to a remarkable turnover of over £700 million. We are committed to excellence and innovation, ensuring we provide industry leading services to our clients and stakeholders. Join us to be part of a dynamic and growing team that values diversity and fosters professional growth.

Sapphire Utility Solutions, a Lanes Group Company specialise in multiple divisions.
Yorkshire Water - WWSA provides essential wastewater services to millions of customers and businesses across Yorkshire. From managing sewerage networks to treating wastewater, protecting the environment, and maintaining reservoirs and catchments.

The Team play a vital role in supporting communities across the region and are committed to sustainability, innovation, and customer service, investing in infrastructure and environmental improvements to create a thriving Yorkshire for generations to come.

We’re looking for an Operational Planner to join our fast‑paced and supportive Planning team in Bradford. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys problem‑solving, working with people, and keeping operations running smoothly – all while delivering an excellent experience for our customers.

At Lanes Group, you’ll play a vital role in supporting our field teams, helping us deliver innovative operational solutions for one of our key clients and contributing to their AMP8 objectives
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Working closely with the Planning Team Leader and a team of experienced planners, you’ll be responsible for coordinating and scheduling work for our Field Operatives, ensuring the right job gets to the right person at the right time.

This is a varied and dynamic role where no two days are the same, ideal for someone who thrives in a busy environment and enjoys making decisions that directly impact service delivery.

• Plan preventive, planned, and reactive maintenance in line with contractual SLAs, taking a Right First Time approach while maximising productivity and efficient travel routes
• Monitor non‑completions throughout the day and proactively plan top‑up work to meet daily completion targets
• Work closely with supervisors, stores, and field teams to ensure jobs are planned and completed effectively
• Respond to customer enquiries with confidence, taking ownership and seeing issues through to resolution
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with operational colleagues and key stakeholders
• Maintain accurate and timely data within works management systems, ensuring issues are logged, tracked, and escalated where needed
• Support continuous improvement by improving data quality and identifying opportunities to enhance planning and scheduling processes
• Take part in internal and external meetings and contribute positively to team discussions and change initiatives

Skills and experience:

• Experience in a planning or scheduling role, preferably within utilities or a similar operational environment
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities at pace
• Confidence making decisions in time‑pressured situations
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
• Clear communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders

• Experience in reactive wastewater network maintenance
• Scheduling software
• Customer access planning
• Traffic management

By embedding our companies core values and purpose into each role, ensures that every employee, regardless of their role or level, understands how their individual development and contributions align with…