Operations Planning Manager

Department: Operations / Manufacturing

Reports To: Vice President of UK Operations

Job Summary

The Operations Planning Manager is responsible for developing, managing, and optimising production plans that ensure customer demand is met while maximizing manufacturing efficiency, resource utilisation, inventory control, and on-time delivery performance. The role serves as the key link between customers, supply chain, logistics, purchasing, and manufacturing teams to ensure production schedules are achievable and aligned with business objectives.

The successful candidate will lead production planning activities within a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment, driving continuous improvement, capacity planning, and operational excellence while maintaining compliance with quality, safety, and customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Develop and maintain short, medium, and long-term production plans based on customer demand, forecasts, and business requirements.
• Create and manage daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules.
• Balance production capacity, manpower, equipment, and material availability to achieve optimum output.
• Monitor schedule adherence and implement corrective actions to minimize disruptions.
• Lead Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) and production review meetings.

Demand & Capacity Management

• Conduct capacity planning and identify future bottlenecks.
• Develop contingency plans for fluctuations in customer demand, equipment downtime, or supply constraints.
• Support business growth initiatives through strategic capacity and resource planning.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain and Purchasing teams to ensure material availability.
• Ensure ERP/MRP system parameters are maintained accurately.

Operational Performance

• Track and report key manufacturing performance indicators including:
• Identify performance gaps and lead corrective improvement activities.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead initiatives to improve production planning accuracy and efficiency.
• Utilise Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Support digital transformation initiatives and advanced planning system implementations.
• Drive process standardisation and best practices across planning functions.

Customer & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as the primary point of contact for production planning-related customer requirements.
• Work closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Logistics, Purchasing, Sales, and Spec
• Support new product launches and engineering changes through effective production planning.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, Business Management, or a related discipline desirable.

Experience

• Production planning experience within an automotive manufacturing environment.
• Leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience managing medium to low volume, just-in-time (JIT) or sequenced production operations.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.

Technical Skills

• Advanced knowledge of production planning and scheduling methodologies.
• Strong understanding of automotive supply chain operations.
• Experience with capacity planning.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and data analysis skills.
• Familiarity with automotive customer requirements and performance metrics.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement principles.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Planning
• Analytical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Leadership and Team Development
• Communication Skills
• Decision Making
• Attention to Detail
• Customer Focus
• Time Management
• Change Management
• Stakeholder Management