Planning Manager

Established Search is partnering with an international manufacturing organisation to appoint a Planning Manager for one of its key manufacturing operations in France. This is an important leadership hire within the supply chain organisation, with a clear mandate to strengthen the planning function and improve how demand is translated into executable production plans.

The successful individual will lead the local planning team, improving material availability, production sequencing, capacity planning and overall visibility for manufacturing. You will:

• Lead and develop the site planning function and team.
• Translate forecasts and demand into executable production and material plans.
• Own production planning, master scheduling and production sequencing.
• Improve planning stability, schedule adherence and visibility for manufacturing.
• Anticipate material requirements and work closely with Procurement and Sourcing to manage shortages.
• Develop capacity plans and identify production constraints.
• Improve inventory, working capital and service levels through stronger planning disciplines.
• Strengthen S&OP/SIOP and the connection between commercial demand and factory execution.
• Improve planning processes, data, reporting and KPIs.
• Establish clearer ways of working across Planning, Production, Procurement and Sales.

We are looking for an experienced planning or supply chain leader from a manufacturing environment. You could currently be a Planning Manager, Supply Chain Planning Manager, Production Planning Manager or a broader Supply Chain Manager with significant responsibility for planning. You should bring:

• Strong production and factory planning experience.
• Knowledge of forecasting, MRP/material planning and master production scheduling.
• Experience balancing demand, capacity, inventory and material availability.
• Previous responsibility for leading and developing a team.
• The ability to operate strategically while remaining close to day-to-day manufacturing challenges.
• Experience working cross-functionally across Production, Procurement/Sourcing and commercial teams.
• Experience improving or transforming planning processes.
• Fluent French and English.

Experience within medical devices or healthcare manufacturing would be advantageous but is not essential. Candidates from automotive, aerospace and other complex industrial manufacturing environments will also be considered.