Junior Planner

Job Description

About Mettis

Is this the role you are looking for If so read on for more details, and make sure to apply today.

We design, manufacture and assemble precision forged and machined components at our fully integrated facility in the heart of the UK. Our vision is not only to be the best at what we do but to continually set new standards in the industry by investing and innovating. That’s why we have been pioneers in our industry for over eighty years.

We are forging the future today.

About the Role

This role is suitable for someone developing their career in production planning, manufacturing planning, or supply chain, as well as candidates with relevant transferable experience. The Junior Planner will work within Operations, reporting to the Head of Planning and working closely with the Head of Business and Master Production Scheduler. This role plays an important part in supporting the effective planning, coordination, and control of manufacturing activity across the Business Unit, ensuring products are manufactured and delivered in line with customer requirements.

The post-holder will support the development and maintenance of short-term production schedules and contribute to the 13-week time-phased manufacturing plan. This will include assisting with capacity planning, material readiness, tooling availability, press utilisation, WIP control, subcontract management, and the integration of new products into the manufacturing workflow.

This is a hands-on planning role requiring accuracy, organisation, clear communication, and the ability to respond effectively to changing customer, material, and operational priorities.

As a condition of employment successful candidates are required to satisfy ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) compliance and must fulfil the following before commencing this role:

i. Currently hold the legal Right to Work in the UK

ii. Fulfil a DBS clearance

iii. Provide a consistent 5-year UK domicile

iv. Pass Drugs & Alcohol screening at the start of their Mettis employment

Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

· Support the 4-week production and sales plan, including output, material readiness, tooling availability, and press utilisation

· Assist with the development and maintenance of time-phased manufacturing plans and short-term production schedules

· Maintain disciplined WIP management, including release, sequencing, progress chasing of slow-moving works orders, and closure of scrapped or obsolete orders

· Support subcontract product management, including requisitioning, supplier delivery performance, and progress monitoring

· Work with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Planning, and Supply Chain teams to support effective production flow

· Respond to customer, material, tooling, and operational changes to help protect schedule adherence

· Support the integration of new products into the manufacturing workflow through NPI activities

· Maintain accurate planning and manufacturing data within EFACS or relevant business systems

· Escalate risks to delivery, capacity, tooling, material availability, or subcontract performance in a timely manner

Safety Responsibilities

· Comply with EHS and legislative standards

· Adhere to all PPE and safety policy requirements

· Comply with occupational health requirements

· Promote safe working practices across the Business Unit

· Participate in risk assessments and near-miss reduction activities where required

· Support a safe and organised working environment through effective planning and communication

Quality Responsibilities

· Work in alignment with ISO9001 procedures and relevant business processes

· Maintain accurate planning data within EFACS to support quality compliance and traceability

· Support reduction of rework, scrap, and deviation through effective scheduling and WIP control

· Ensure planning activity supports approved methods of manufacture and customer requirements

· Escalate planning or data issues that may create quality, compliance, or delivery risks

· Support process discipline through accurate order management and adherence to planning procedures

Delivery Responsibilities

· Ensure output plans align with customer delivery schedules and business priorities

· Coordinate resource, tooling, material, and subcontract availability to protect on-time delivery

· Support schedule adherence through effective communication, follow-up, and escalation

· Assist in identifying and resolving planning constraints that may impact delivery performance

· Work collaboratively with Operations and supporting functions to maintain production flow

· Support the planning team in driving improved customer satisfaction through reliable delivery performance

Cost Responsibilities

· Support waste reduction through accurate planning, WIP control, and timely order management

· Help improve productivity through balanced capacity planning and efficient scheduling

· Support reduction of unnecessary rework, scrap, delays, and expediting caused by planning inaccuracies

· Provide accurate planning information and forecasts to support business financial planning

· Contribute to improved utilisation of resources, tooling, materials, and subcontract activity

People Responsibilities

· Communicate clearly and effectively at all organisational levels

· Build constructive working relationships across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Planning, Supply Chain, and other key functions

· Influence cross-functional stakeholders to support best-practice planning behaviours

· Work collaboratively to resolve planning challenges and competing priorities

· Demonstrate a calm, professional, and assured approach when dealing with changing or conflicting requirements

· Comply with all Mettis HR policies and procedures

Business Responsibilities

· Act as an ambassador for Mettis

· Role model the company’s Vision, Mission, and Values

· Support continuous improvement within planning, scheduling, WIP control, and operational performance

· Contribute to disciplined business processes that support customer delivery, quality, cost, and operational efficiency

· Maintain confidentiality and professionalism when handling business, customer, and production information

Qualifications

· Degree, BTEC, or relevant further education qualification, or equivalent experience in a planning, manufacturing, supply chain, or operational environment

· Understanding of MRP theory, master production scheduling, and capacity planning

· Experience using ERP systems, preferably EFACS or a similar manufacturing system, to create and maintain production plans

· Experience supporting manufacturing planning, WIP control, subcontract coordination, or production scheduling

· Experience supporting new product introduction processes would be advantageous

· Familiarity with ISO9001 business systems and procedural compliance

· Understanding of manufacturing environments, ideally within aerospace, precision engineering, forging, machining, or other high-compliance sectors

· Logical and analytical approach to problem solving, with confidence to support resolution activities across functions

Required Skills

· Understanding of MRP logic, scheduling, and load versus capacity analysis

· Effective communication skills with the ability to explain planning issues clearly

· Ability to build constructive working relationships across business functions

· Calm and assured approach to resolving challenging or conflicting planning situations

· Analytical mindset with excellent attention to detail

· Organised and disciplined approach to workload, priorities, and follow-up actions

· Proficient IT capability, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and ERP systems

· Ability to follow and promote best-practice planning disciplines

· Ability to work cross-functionally and support continuous improvement activity

· Confidence to escalate risks, challenge data accuracy, and support effective decision-making

· Customer-focused approach, with an understanding of how planning activity impacts delivery performance

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Location: Redditch, Worcestershire (on site, 5 days)

Hours: Monday – Thursday: 07:30 – 16:30 & Friday: 07:30 – 12:30

Benefits:

Pension: 3% Employer & 5% Employee contribution

33 days holiday including 8 statutory Bank Holidays p/a

Employee benefits, rewards, and wellbeing platform (Perkbox)

Free on-site parking

Cycle to work scheme

Bereavement leave

Company events

Employee referral programme

Sick pay

This job description is not exhaustive and may be reviewed periodically in agreement with the job holder. The postholder must comply with all policies and procedures issued by or on behalf of Mettis Aerospace.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Mettis Aerospace is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

External support

We recruit directly and primarily rely on direct applications and referrals. On occasions where agency support is needed, we engage only with agencies on our Preferred Supplier List. xwwtmva Any speculative submissions from non-PSL agencies will not be reviewed or accepted, and no introduction fees will apply.