Production Planner

Location: Worcestershire

Role Overview

The Production Planner is responsible for developing, coordinating, and maintaining production schedules to ensure the efficient and timely manufacture of aerospace components and assemblies. This role ensures alignment between customer demand, engineering requirements, material availability, and manufacturing capacity while adhering to strict aerospace quality and regulatory standards.

Operating in a highly regulated environment, the Production Planner plays a critical role in ensuring on-time delivery, cost control, and compliance with industry standards such as AS9100.

Key Responsibilities

Production Planning & Scheduling

Develop and maintain detailed production schedules based on customer orders, forecasts, and project timelines.
Translate demand requirements into actionable manufacturing plans.
Sequence production activities to optimise workflow, minimise bottlenecks, and maximise efficiency.
Monitor work-in-progress (WIP) and adjust schedules to respond to changing priorities or disruptions.

Demand & Capacity Planning

Analyse demand forecasts and customer orders to determine production requirements.
Assess manufacturing capacity (labour, machinery, tooling) and identify constraints.
Balance workload across departments to ensure efficient resource utilisation.
Collaborate with operations and engineering teams to resolve capacity issues.

Material & Inventory Coordination

Coordinate with procurement and supply chain teams to ensure timely availability of materials and components.
Monitor inventory levels and minimise excess or obsolete stock.
Support material requirements planning (MRP) processes within ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle).

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with engineering, quality, procurement, and production teams to ensure alignment.
Participate in production meetings to review schedules, progress, and issues.
Communicate schedule changes and priorities across relevant stakeholders.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time delivery, schedule adherence, and cycle times.
Generate regular reports on production performance and highlight risks or delays.
Identify root causes of production delays and propose corrective actions.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

Ensure production plans comply with aerospace standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., AS9100, FAA/EASA requirements where applicable).
Support audit processes by maintaining accurate production records and documentation.
Ensure traceability of materials and components throughout the production lifecycle.

Continuous Improvement

Identify opportunities to improve planning processes, efficiency, and cost control.
Support Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
Implement best practices in scheduling, forecasting, and inventory management.

Key Skills & Competencies

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Advanced planning and organisational abilities
High attention to detail and accuracy
Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, IFS)
Strong knowledge of Microsoft Excel (advanced level preferred)
Understanding of manufacturing workflows and supply chain processes

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field
3+ years' experience in production planning within manufacturing (preferably aerospace or engineering)
Experience using ERP/MRP systems
Knowledge of production scheduling techniques and capacity planning

Desirable

Experience in aerospace, defence, or highly regulated industries
Knowledge of AS9100 or equivalent quality standards
APICS / CPIM or equivalent supply chain certification
Familiarity with Lean manufacturing principles

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

On-time delivery (OTD) performance
Schedule adherence
Inventory turnover and stock accuracy
Reduction in production delays and bottlenecks
Forecast accuracy
Work-in-progress (WIP) levels

At Gleeson Recruitment Group, we embrace inclusivity and welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. We are proud to be a disability confident employer.

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