The Planning Manager is responsible for providing an integrative approach to the customer demand, stock, production control and planning aspects of our Supply chain, working in unison with Sales, Purchasing, Production, Warehouse and Logistics. The post holder will build professional, collaborative working relationships with many stakeholders; Internally; Sales, Purchasing, Production, Warehouse and Logistics, to ensure there are no bottlenecks or shortages preventing the business from meeting our customers’ requirements or the delivery of finished goods. Externally; Customers and Suppliers (external & intercompany), building relationships, challenging information and managing expectations.  Main Duties & Responsibilities Manage, motivate and coach the team Working through direct reports, ensure all Order Management employees are effectively being utilised and working to maximum potential.  Manage the ongoing development of each team member in line with business needs whilst considering succession planning for future needs. Identify best practice, continuous improvement and ways for the team to add value. Oversea the Order Management customer interaction, ensuring customers receive an exceptional service.  Liaise with the relevant sales member and order management team member to understand the short term and longer term customer requirements.   Ensure all sales order information is captured accurately within SAP. Carryout SAP audits to inspect content Identify future issues with customer demand v production capacity and when necessary make plans to manage customer expectations (smoothing out/advance build), liaise directly with the customer if necessary. Manage volume changes and escalate to the wider management team (in particular short notice reductions). Support the Production Planner with the coordination of materials (in-process materials and purchased parts) to facilitate production/delivery requirements in order to meet customer demand. Lead and support the Production Planner to fully utilise SAP to create plans, schedules and work instructions to enable production output to meet customer demand. Work with the Head of Manufacturing to determine sufficient manpower to ensure customer demands are met on time and in full.  Ensure demand forecasts are updated on the MRP system to support with the procurement process. Liaise with Purchasing and Logistics to ensure the delivery of materials/intercompany goods to meet production/customer requirements.  Escalate road blocks to meeting customer demand, making recommendations to minimise issues impacting customer deliveries. When necessary, manage all subcontracted work, oversea the work instructions and timescales. Work directly with the Warehouse Supervisor to ensure the despatch and delivery of all finished goods on time and in full. Support the Logistics team, ensuring a cost effective, productive and functional relationship is maintained to ensure the consistent supply of intercompany products, and the delivery of products to the customer on time and without logistical quality defects Act as the customer escalation point, resolve all customer issues promptly and professionally. Support sales with customer reviews ensuring the necessary customer specific KPI information is available to review. Own the SIOP process, develop accurate and achievable immediate & medium term SIOP plans working in conjunction with production. Manage KPI’s, status reports and present to the Senior team when necessary. Support when necessary with additional site related continuous improvement processes that maybe outside your span of influence. Attend Customer reviews, identify, take ownership and resolve/implement relevant customer supply chain process issues/improvements. Develop systems, procedures and processes to ensure continuous improvement in inventory control and reductions in stock levels. Support with the annual stock count. Leverage Lean business solution methodologies to ensure processes are well defined, documented that result in Best in Class Resolves ERP system related issues and ensures the integrity of the database. Any additional duties as and when required. Requirements Minimum of 5 years Management experience Proven experience of building, developing, managing and leading high performing teams Previous production planning experience within a fast moving manufacturing environment Fluency and proficiency in the practical application of ERP/MRP (ideally SAP), including, scheduling logic, order policies, input/output control, product structures, routings, shop floor control, and product family manufacturing strategies Proven experience of Senior Stakeholder Management (internal & external) High levels of commercial acumen Financial acumen Excellent interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication skills A high functioning team player, who has sound judgment and analytical abilities Strong attention to detail with proven capabilities in handling multiple priorities Competent user of Microsoft Office including Excel, Word and Powerpoint Previous experience in managing change Highly driven and self motivated individual Salary:  > Please call to discuss the details