Production & Materials Planning Assistant

Title

Production & Materials Planning Assistant

Location

St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex

Salary

Competitive + Excellent Benefits

An established, specialist engineering and manufacturing business based in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex is seeking a Production & Materials Planning Assistant to join its operations team.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone early in their career who has at least a year of experience in a manufacturing, production, warehouse, or engineering environment and is looking to develop into a career in production planning, purchasing, and supply chain operations. Candidates may come from a variety of backgrounds including school leavers with relevant hands-on experience, apprentices, or graduates with a strong interest in manufacturing operations and planning.

You’ll be joining a collaborative, technically focused team where planning, purchasing support, coordination, and material flow are essential to delivering high-quality, precision-engineered products on time. Full training and ongoing development will be provided, making this a strong development role for someone with the right attitude and ambition to grow.

The Production & Materials Planning Assistant Role

This Production & Materials Planning Assistant role is a key support position within the operations function. You will assist with production planning, materials coordination, purchasing activities, and stock control, helping to ensure smooth day-to-day operational flow and reliable on-time delivery.

This is a varied role where you will gain exposure across planning, purchasing, logistics, and inventory management, building strong foundations for a long-term career in supply chain or production planning.

Key Responsibilities

Production Planning & Scheduling

Support the creation and maintenance of short- and medium-term production plans

Assist in balancing demand, capacity, and material availability

Help maintain and update Master Production Schedules (MPS)

Planning Execution & Control

Monitor production progress against agreed plans

Highlight delays, shortages, or potential bottlenecks

Support senior team members in resolving planning issues

Materials & Purchasing Coordination

Assist with purchasing activities aligned to production requirements alongside the buyer

Help track supplier deliveries and material availability

Support expediting of orders and identification of supply risks

Stock Control & Inventory

Assist in maintaining accurate stock records

Support goods-in, goods-out, and internal stock movements

Help with cycle counts and stock reconciliation activities

Shipping & Logistics

Assist with coordination of customer shipments

Support packing, dispatch, and documentation preparation

Help ensure basic export and delivery requirements are met

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

Assist in producing basic operational reports and updates

Help track delivery performance and stock levels

Contribute ideas for improving processes and efficiency

Skills & Experience Required for this Production & Materials Planning Assistant Job

Essential

At least a year experience in a manufacturing, production, warehouse, logistics, or engineering environment

Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn

Good numeracy and basic analytical ability

Reliable, organised, and able to follow structured processes

Genuine interest in production planning, purchasing, or supply chain operations

Desirable

Exposure to ERP/MRP systems (training will be provided)

Basic understanding of manufacturing, logistics, or inventory control

Interest in building a long-term career in operations, production and manufacturing, planning or supply chain

Benefits

25 days holiday + bank holidays (rising with service)

Company pension scheme

Life assurance (4x salary)

Income protection scheme

Private healthcare

Employee assistance programme

Full training and development opportunities

Supportive and technically engaging working environment

Apply for this Production & Materials Planning Assistant Role

If you’re early in your career and looking for a Production Planning, Materials Planning, or Purchasing / Supply Chain role where you can build real, hands-on experience in a high-quality engineering environment, we’d like to hear from you.

Due to the confidential nature of this appointment, full company details will be shared on application or during an initial, discreet conversation with Senex Recruitment.

To discuss this role in confidence or apply, contact Kevin McHugh at Senex Recruitment by calling 01424 211872, or apply via the Senex Recruitment website.