Head Of Production Planning

Contract Personnel are recruiting on behalf of a globally recognised manufacturer here in Norfolk. Due to continued growth our client is looking to recruit an experienced Head of Production Planning and Materials to join their team on the outskirts of Norwich.
This position will lead the strategic development and operational delivery of our Production Planning, Control (PP) and Materials Availability (MA) departments.

This position will drive and inspire the supply chain organisation in line with our clients vision corporate strategy ensuring supply chain best practice and lean principles are at the centre of the business. This position will also ensure that policies and processes are aligned and complimentary with other functions, including but not limited to, Purchasing, Sales & Marketing, Product Engineering, Programme Management and Launch

Scope:

• Lead Production Planning and Materials Availability departments ensuring best in class processes and operations.
• Improve Production Planning and Materials Availability departments operations and lead the scoping and implementation of new and revised business processes and systems.
• Ensure vehicle production is planned efficiently in order to ensure production volumes are achieved on a weekly, monthly and annual basis and corporate objectives are met in full
• Ensure sufficient material availability and flexibility in line with build schedules.
• Order, maintain and control material flow chains from supplying points.
• Maintain optimised levels of inventory and keep within agreed financial levels of approved inventory holding
• Ensure all program launches meet supply chain deployment deliverables in a timely manner.
• This position will provide leadership across the PP and MA and broader supply chain function

Production Planning and Control

Plan the chain of operations to enable Manufacturing Operations to be executed according to the approved Sales and Operations Plan (S&OP). Lead S&OP cadence and exec approval.

Achieve maximum efficiency and manage variations and risks with internal stakeholders including Sales & Marketing, Programme Management Office (PMO), Engineering and Procurement.

Materials Availability

Ensure operational and strategic material planning processes are in place to enable execution of production plans. Leading and co–ordinating internal and external parties to ensure the supply of materials is in place to satisfy production requirements. Able to deliver efficient, effective and flexible solutions to meet production requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Overall responsibility for all PP and MP activities across the business
• Create and implement best practice PP and MP vision, strategy, policies, processes and procedures to aid and improve operational performance
• Review opportunities to improve operational and financial performance and to ensure minimal operational disruption and maximum customer satisfaction
• Evaluate the challenges faced by the organisation and action to mitigate risks and develop opportunities
• Contribute to overall business strategy and annual budget process

General and Task Management

• Oversee and manage inventory integrity and review ways to reduce inventory levels
• Ensure IT systems in place are effective, accurate and maintained and review opportunities to standardise and streamline utilising current or new systems
• Interpret and analyse complex data and trends and develop recommendations and strategies based on analysis
• Ensure that plans, schedules and performance metrics are available and regularly report progress to others

People Management

• Provide leadership, coach and develop direct reports and manage high performing teams that deliver continuous improvement, added value and cost reductions
• Set department objectives and monitor ongoing progress and performance
• Ensure strong communication between teams under leadership to facilitate exchange of information and in order to implement change and improvements
• Ensure that all functions under supervision operate in accordance with health, safety and environmental policies and procedures to ensure the safety of staff and visitors
• Responsible for developing the appropriate organisational structure, resource plans and culture to support the business objectives and customer deliverables
• Provide leadership, coordination and coaching to the team, ensuring they are trained enabling them to achieve the operational and financial metrics within their areas of responsibility and succeed in their roles
• Complete regular performance reviews, manage attendance, holidays, disciplinary issues and procedures as appropriate
• Work with the senior management team to translate strategy into specific annual performance goals and departmental objectives. including KPIs, and to track them

Financial Budget and Control

• Input and hold responsibility for PP and MP budgets. Manage the budget from identification to completion of projects

Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and work collaboratively to ensure objectives are being met
• Communicate any concerns and recommend solutions without compromising quality or service and aim for cost optimisation
• Contribute to new business initiatives and projects and review and communicate the impact on PP and MP activities
• Ensure performance of suppliers, logistics partners, transportation companies etc and make improvements and cost savings where possible
• Ensure on time, high quality delivery to all customers
• Work collaboratively, negotiate and engage with key stakeholders to facilitate delivery and compliance with overall supply chain strategy
• Maintain excellent relationships with customers and monitor performance and progress of deliveries to ensure customer satisfaction while optimising costs
• Ensure compliance with import/export regulations/customs regulations including dangerous goods shipment and aviation security, and legal and health and safety requirements

Experience:

• Extensive and proven supply chain strategy development and execution leadership experience, in a product–based material processing and manufacturing assembly operation.
• Development, implementation and optimisation of Sales and Operations planning and execution practices
• Experience and interest in business and supply chain transformation.
• Deep and practical experience of ERP/MRP implementation and integration, ideally SAP Production and Material Planning modules
• Practical experience and knowledge of implementing and optimising Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)

Attributes:

• Proven leadership and management skills with the ability to optimise team performance and development
• Strong analytical leader and people person
• Innate ability to recognise risks and issues, identify root causes and execute resolution actions
• Comfortable and excited by change and business transformation
• Confidence in communication, interpersonal and influencing skills
• Excellent relationship management skills with the ability to engage, negotiate and manage key stakeholders
• Commercially and financially astute
• Proven analytical, problem solving and organisational skills
• Results orientated with the ability to plan and prioritise multiple projects of self and others and to deliver against objectives and deadlines

Benefits:

• 33 days holiday including stats
• Half day Friday
• Annual Bonus
• Car Lease Scheme (inc EV)
• Life Insurance
• Private Healthcare
• Employee Reward and Discount Scheme
• Enhanced Pension
• Other benefits