Production Planning Manager Location: Near Cambridge Salary: Circa £40,000 - £45,000 Benefits We are a market-leading engineering company based near Cambridge, and we are seeking an experienced Production Planning Manager to join our dynamic team. This is a fantastic opportunity for a driven individual to take ownership of key planning processes, manage production schedules, and lead continuous improvement initiatives within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Key Responsibilities: Develop and implement standard operating procedures for key processes across the Planning, Stores, and Packing and Shipping functions, ensuring all teams across both shifts are trained to follow these standards. Collaborate closely with the Inventory Controller to design and implement effective milkrounds, ensuring a continuous flow of materials from Stores through to Production, Inspection, and Shipping. Regularly audit the standard work in the Planning, Stores, and Packing areas, identifying any deviations and using these audits as coaching opportunities to reinforce process adherence and improve team performance. Mentor and develop the teams, encouraging the use of problem-solving techniques, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies such as PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) and Lean principles. Manage the production scheduling support for the Planning team, ensuring adequate coverage for all production shifts, and create fair and balanced team rotas to distribute workloads efficiently. Ensure that all Planners are proficient in capacity planning, enabling effective work scheduling across all Motion Control production teams. Identify and implement opportunities for process improvements that enhance efficiency and reduce waste across the production planning and shipping functions. Essential Skills and Experience: Proven experience in a production planning or scheduling role within a manufacturing environment. Strong knowledge of production planning processes, inventory control, and supply chain management. Experience in developing and implementing standard work procedures and conducting training across multiple shifts. Excellent leadership and team development skills, with a track record of coaching and mentoring teams to improve performance and adherence to best practices. Proficiency in capacity planning and scheduling techniques, with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively. Strong problem-solving skills, with experience in root cause analysis and driving continuous improvement initiatives using lean or similar methodologies. Good organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines. A proactive and hands-on approach to process improvement and team management. Why Join Us? Competitive salary of circa £40,000 - £45,000, plus a comprehensive benefits package. The chance to work for a market-leading engineering company with a reputation for innovation and high-quality manufacturing. A collaborative and supportive work environment where your contributions will directly impact the success of the business. Opportunities for career progression and personal development within a growing company. If you are a proactive and experienced Production Planning professional with a passion for driving efficiency and process improvements, we would love to hear from you. Join our team and take the next step in your career with a company that values excellence and continuous development