Hays Specialist Recruitment • GU34 1AA

Supply Chain Lead Planner

About this role

Your new company

A specialist electro-mechanical manufacturer with a broad client base and high quality products.

Your new role

This is an opportunity to join a successful business and play a key role in the ongoing development of their Supply Chain Planning function.

Responsibilities include

Planning & Scheduling

  • Own the end-to-end supply, production and material planning process, translating this demand into executable plans
  • Ensure plans meet customer demand while balancing inventory, lead times and operational constraints.
  • Act as a planning data owner, ensuring integrity and accuracy is maintained, whilst chasing for updates on outstanding information

Inventory & Materials Management

  • Optimise safety stock levels, reorder points, and replenishment strategies.
  • Maintain healthy inventory levels while minimising obsolescence and excess.
  • Coordinate with procurement to ensure material availability and support supplier performance analysis

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

  • Partner closely with Manufacturing, Procurement, Logistics, Engineering, Sales and Finance to align priorities and resolve conflicts.
  • Communicate planning changes, risks, and mitigation actions clearly and decisively.

Continuous Improvement

  • Identify and implement process improvements to enhance planning accuracy and efficiency.
  • Support digital transformation initiatives (e.g., advanced planning systems, automation, dashboards).
  • Contribute to policy and procedure development within the supply chain function.

What you'll need to succeed

Technical Skills

  • Strong understanding of supply chain planning principles (MRP, DRP, capacity planning).
  • Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, Dynamics 365, etc.).
  • Data-driven decision-making; advanced Excel or planning analytics tools preferred.

Soft Skills

  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
  • Strong leadership and team‑building capabilities.
  • Problem-solving mindset with ability to work under pressure.
  • Analytical thinking and high attention to detail.

Experience & Qualifications

  • Previous experience in manufacturing environment (highly desirable).
  • 3-7 years of supply chain planning experience; prior leadership responsibility advantageous.
  • Professional certifications such as APICS/CPIM, CIPS, or equivalent are beneficial.

What you'll get in return

Competitive salary circa £35k, plus pension and benefits, opportunities for ongoing career progression. Please note this is on-site 5 days per week. The role holder will also need to travel to a facility on the Isle of White (typically 1 day per week). All travel will be fully expensed and there is time off in lieu of time spent travelling.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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