We are thrilled to announce that Lanes Group and Sapphire Utility Solutions have secured multiple contract extensions with our key strategic client, Severn Trent Water. As trusted delivery partners, we will continue providing proactive and reactive wastewater solutions across their network, supporting them through the AMP8 regulatory period - the most significant investment phase the water industry has ever seen.
We are currently recruiting for a Planning Manager to join our team, delivering exceptional customer service and innovative operational solutions across the Midlands area. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a high-performing team, working on critical infrastructure projects that make a real difference to communities.
Join us as we continue to grow and shape the future of wastewater services with Severn Trent Water.
About the Role:
The Planning Manager plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth and efficient coordination of reactive wastewater network repair and maintenance works under the STW WINS Reactive Repair and Maintenance contract. Acting as the key link between Severn Trent Water’s (STW) Operational Teams and Scheduling and Planning Teams, the Planning Manager ensures that works are correctly promoted with all required information, allowing for efficient, right-first-time delivery. The role also involves close collaboration with internal operations teams to structure and build a prioritised programme of works, ensuring compliance with STW’s scheduling principles, including prioritisation of pollution and internal flooding risks.
Location: Raynesway, Derby
Hours: 42.5 hours per week ( Monday - Friday)
Responsibilities:
Work Promotion Validation
* Ensure that all works promoted by STW’s Operational Teams contain the required information for accurate delivery, including:
* Clear problem identification and required repair scope.
* Accurate location details, asset information, and supporting survey data.
* Customer information, including potential access requirements and restrictions.
* Traffic management requirements, including necessary permits and road closures.
* Health & safety considerations and environmental constraints.
* Work with STW’s Operations / Planning Team to resolve any gaps or discrepancies in work promotion details before scheduling.
* Gatekeep the RRM workstack, ensuring that works which do not meet the required matrix to allow effective planning and right first-time delivery are not programmed and are rejected back to STW for further promotion information
Programme Coordination & Scheduling
* Develop and build a structured programme of reactive works aligned to STW’s priorities, including pollution and internal flooding response, ready for scheduling to field teams
* Ensure that work scheduling aligns with operational resource availability and efficiency.
* Coordinate with internal operational teams to confirm delivery feasibility before passing programmes back to STW’s Scheduling Team for execution.
* Work with supervisors and field teams to resolve any site-specific access issues, ensuring minimal disruption to customers.
Stakeholder & Client Engagement
* Act as the key liaison between STW Operational Teams and Scheduling & Planning functions.
* Build strong working relationships with internal teams, ensuring seamless coordination and alignment with contractual requirements.
* Attend regular meetings with STW such as programme meetings, daily huddles and occasionally performance meetings, providing updates on programme progress and issue resolution.
Performance Management & Continuous Improvement
* Monitor programme execution and resolve any operational bottlenecks.
* Track key performance indicators (KPIs), including job completion rates, right-first-time delivery, and SLA adherence.
* Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce delays.
* Work with teams to enhance data quality in work promotion and scheduling to drive continuous improvement.
Experience and qualifications required for the role:
* Proven experience in programme coordination, scheduling, or planning within the utilities or wastewater sector.
* Strong understanding of reactive wastewater network maintenance, including repair and survey processes.
* Knowledge of work promotion and scheduling processes within Severn Trent Water or similar water companies.
* Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams.
* Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively between different teams.
* Ability to analyse and validate operational data to ensure accurate scheduling.
* Experience managing works requiring customer access and traffic management considerations.
* Familiarity with scheduling software and operational planning tools used within water industry contracts.
* Knowledge of STW’s regulatory and performance drivers, particularly pollution and flooding response.
* Experience managing teams within an operational environment.
What you will get in return:
In joining Sapphire Utility Solutions as part of the Lanes Group - the UK’s largest independent provider, we are committed to fostering a workplace culture that prioritises the well-being, growth, and safety of our employees. Through continuous training, professional development opportunities, and a supportive environment that values every individual's unique contribution, we empower our team to uphold the highest standards of integrity, collaboration, and inclusivity.
* 25 days holiday allowance plus bank holidays.
* Pension
* Death in service
* Free car parking
This position is open to Internal and External candidates. Any internal candidates currently employed within a division of the Lanes Group must complete an Internal Application form and submit to recruitment.
The Lanes Group plc comprises of a range of established service providers subsidiaries, which complement the specialist service of Lanes, by both work type and geography. Increasing our overall capability, assets and offering to our customers.
Lanes
Lanes I
SUS
Clearflow
AQS
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from under-represented members of the community
Strictly no agencies please