Production Planning and Logistics Team Leader
- Job Title: Production Planning and Logistics Team Leader
- Country: UK
- Location: Elland, UK
- Department: Supply chain and Procurement
- Job type: 100%
- Employment type: Permanent
Role description
The Production Planning and Logistics Team Leader is responsible for leading and managing overall process and team to ensure efficient production scheduling, inventory management, and logistics operations. This role involves developing strategies for optimizing production workflows, managing logistics coordination, and continuously improving processes. The Team Leader will act as a key liaison between production, procurement, warehousing, and transportation teams to ensure timely delivery of products, cost control, and alignment with business objectives.
Your main challenges
Team Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and supervise a team of production planners and logistics coordinators.
- Assign tasks, monitor team performance, and provide regular feedback to enhance productivity and accuracy.
- Foster a collaborative and proactive team culture focused on continuous improvement.
Production Planning
- Development and management of long – medium – short term capacity planning methodology
- Oversee the development and execution of production schedules in alignment with demand forecasts, capacity, and material availability.
- Ensure production schedules are realistic and achievable, balancing customer delivery deadlines with production constraints.
- Collaborate with the production team to address bottlenecks, optimise workflows, and resolve scheduling conflicts.
- Monitor and adjust schedules as needed to respond to changes in demand or unforeseen disruptions.
- Oversee orders across operational business, proactively identify concerns to smoothen schedule and delivery.
Logistics and Inventory Management
- Oversee inbound and outbound logistics activities to ensure cost-effective and timely delivery of materials and finished goods.
- Manage relationships with suppliers, freight carriers, and other logistics partners to streamline transportation and distribution processes.
- Ensure inventory levels are aligned with production schedules and customer orders, avoiding shortages or excess stock.
- Lead and own process of audits of inventory and logistics processes to identify and address inefficiencies.
- Define and execute all necessary activities related to internal material movements from raw material, work in progress and finish goods.
Process Improvement
- Identify and implement best practices in line with lean manufacturing and Habasit operational principles to optimise production planning and logistics processes.
- Utilise data-driven analysis to support decision-making and improve overall performance.
- Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to production planning, logistics, and inventory control.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate closely with the procurement, warehouse, production, and customer service teams to ensure smooth operational flow.
- Communicate effectively with stakeholders to provide visibility on production timelines, inventory status, and shipment updates.
- Lead regular meetings to align priorities, review progress, and address operational challenges.
Reporting and Documentation
- Prepare and present reports on production schedules, inventory levels, logistics performance, and team efficiency.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation of production plans, logistics movements, and any changes in schedules.
- Management of Processes in line with quality management system for planning, inventory and logistics activities.
What we look for
Training and Experience
- Qualifications in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in production planning, logistics, or supply chain management, with at least 2 years in a leadership role
- Experience in a manufacturing environment with a strong understanding of production processes inventory control and logistics operations.
- Experience in import and export policies and procedures.
- Proficient in ERP systems (e.g. SAP) and advanced Excel skills for data analysis and reporting.
- Excellent leadership and people management skills with the ability to motivate and develop a team.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to address complex scheduling, logistics, and inventory issues.
- Exceptional organisational, time-management, and multitasking skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners.
Personal Qualities
- Integrity with a strong moral compass
- Good Problem solving capabilities
- Good communicator, written and verbal
- Ability to work at pace
- Analytical thinking and attention to detail.
- Strong time management, prioritisation, and delegation skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Customer-oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.