Production Scheduler / Planner

Confidential Client | Manufacturing & Engineering Environment

Dorset

So… What Is This Role, Really?

Imagine being the person who knows what's being made, when it's being made, what it's being made from-and what's going wrong before anyone else does.

That's this job.

We're looking for a Production Scheduler / Planner to take control of a busy manufacturing operation where plans exist… but don't always behave themselves. You'll be the one turning customer orders into actual, achievable production schedules-and then defending, adjusting, and occasionally rescuing those plans in real time.

This is not a passive role. If you like sitting back and "seeing how things go," this will feel like chaos. If you like being in the middle of it, making things work-welcome home.

What You'll Actually Be Doing as Production Scheduler / Planner

In short: keeping everything moving, despite everyone and everything trying to disrupt it.

More specifically:

• Taking customer orders and turning them into something the factory can actually deliver (not just hopeful promises)
• Running weekly MRP-and questioning it like a seasoned detective ("that can't be right…")
• Managing materials purchasing so production doesn't grind to a halt because someone forgot a £2 component
• Tracking material pricing and negotiating where possible (yes, spreadsheets… but useful ones)
• Making sure goods-in and kitting don't become a daily treasure hunt
• Keeping the system accurate-because "the system says we've got it" is only helpful if it's true
• Building daily production schedules that reflect reality, not wishful thinking
• Constantly re-prioritising as new "urgent" requests appear (they will all be urgent)
• Coordinating subcontract processes-because things leaving site and coming back again should ideally be planned
• Closing work orders properly-no zombie jobs lurking in the system for eternity
• Sitting in meetings where everyone has a different priority and somehow leaving with a plan

The Reality Check

• Your perfect schedule will last approximately 3-17 minutes before something changes
• Customers will want things sooner. Production will want more time. You'll sit in the middle, smiling politely
• The phrase "quick question" will rarely be quick
• You will become the person people come to when things don't add up

What Success Looks Like as Production Scheduler/Planner

• The factory runs smoother (people might not say it-but they'll feel it)
• Materials are available when needed-not early, not late, not missing entirely
• Your plans are trusted because they're realistic
• You can say "no" (or "not yet") without causing a minor uprising
• Problems get solved before they become… bigger problems

Who This Will Suit

You're organised-but not in a rigid, clipboard-and-stopwatch way.

You're calm under pressure, good at problem-solving, and not easily thrown when three people ask you for three different things at once.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• Solid experience with MRP in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• A background in engineering or production (precision environments would be a bonus)
• Experience aligning materials with production schedules
• Enough IT confidence to get what you need from systems without swearing at them constantly
• A hands-on approach-you're happy to leave your desk and go find answers
• The confidence to challenge things that don't make sense (because some won't)
• A sharp eye for detail-small mistakes here have a habit of becoming very visible later

Bonus points if you've ever improved a process that everyone else had just accepted as "the way it is."

Why This Role Is Actually Worth It

• You won't be bored
• You'll have real influence over how things run
• You'll be trusted to make decisions (and occasionally miracles)
• There's genuine opportunity to improve systems and processes-not just maintain them

Final Thought

If you enjoy solving problems, making sense of moving parts, and being the person who quietly keeps everything on track-even when it really shouldn't be-this will suit you.

If you like everything going exactly to plan… we admire your optimism.

Benefits

• An exciting opportunity to be a pivotal part of the business
• Up to £45k basic salary
• Pension
• Parking on site
• Friendly team

If you would like more information on this position please don't hesitate to get in touch

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