Master Planner

Location: Belfast, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Master Planner - Ground Equipment

Location: Belfast

Would you like to work for a world-renowned department that manufacture and supply technology impacting the lives of millions of people each day, making life better and keeping us safe? Our Integrated Air Systems Manufacturing division provide parts and materials for missile programmes. We are looking for a Master Planner to play a critical, high profile role in facilitating the delivery of increased workloads on these integral programmes.

You will be responsible for managing the material planning activities, preparing the master production schedule, providing materials, resource and KPI analysis in support of manufacturing plans, and reporting project progress to the programme teams up to Director level. You will have full control of identifying opportunities, problems and bottlenecks and finding and implementing solutions. Although this is a hands on role, you will also manage up to 2 direct reports so previous experience in managing a small team, or the genuine desire to, is a pre-requisite.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, validate and input schedules into company ERP system for programmes
• Ensure daily governance and efficient use of ERP best practice
• Provide materials, production capacity, and labour analysis
• Provide comprehensive capacity planning analysis to resource level
• Manage the supply chain planning activities
• Assist in the effective planning of material requirements and manufacturing workflow
• Assist other functions in adopting strategic inventory and material management techniques
• Develop and provide information and management reports
• Day to day management of up to 2 member of staff within the planning team

The successful candidate will:

• Have hands on experience in preparing the master production schedule
• Have demonstrable experience in material planning
• Be involved in or have hands on experience of man power, resource and capacity planning
• Have experience or the right behaviours and desire to manage a team
• Be able to report up to Director level and understand the levels of information required for differing stakeholders
• Be APICS Certified or equivalent
• Have used large ERP systems such e.g. SAP or Oracle
• Able to obtain SC level security clearance

What the role has to offer:

Other than working on cutting edge technology projects, you report up to Programme Directors and Sales and Operations planning meaning you play key part in the sales and operations planning process. The opportunity exists to really make this role your own and drive it through. The role is multifaceted and has a broader scope and more variety than some similar roles can offer. The working environment is supportive, flexible and inclusive. We work a 37 hour week across 4 days in this part of the business with the option to work from home 1 of those days. We also offer additional benefits such as a bonus and Private Medical.

What We Can Offer

We are committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences, along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry. We hire from within as our first priority, so you will have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse, global organisation.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales.

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all.

The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.