Senior Production Planning Manager - Europe
Europe / Hybrid Circa €100,000 + Benefits
About the Company
Our client is a leading international manufacturing organisation operating across multiple European markets. With a strong focus on innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, the business is investing heavily in supply chain and production planning transformation across its European manufacturing network.
As part of this strategic growth and transformation journey, we are seeking an experienced Senior Production Planning Manager Europe to lead planning excellence across a complex multi-site production environment.
The Opportunity
This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for driving production planning strategy and operational improvements across multiple manufacturing sites throughout Europe.
The successful candidate will play a key role in transforming planning capabilities, improving efficiencies, standardising processes, and enhancing overall supply chain performance within a highly complex production environment.
We are looking for a strong change leader with experience managing large-scale manufacturing planning operations and driving transformation initiatives across international sites.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and develop production planning strategy across multiple manufacturing sites throughout Europe
* Drive transformation and continuous improvement initiatives to optimise planning performance, efficiency, and service levels
* Own and enhance European SIOP / Sales & Operations Planning processes
* Standardise planning processes, KPIs, reporting, and governance across manufacturing operations
* Translate commercial demand forecasts into robust production and supply plans
* Improve forecast accuracy, inventory health, OTIF performance, and working capital efficiency
* Partner closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, and Commercial teams to align production capabilities with business demand
* Lead complex capacity planning and inventory optimisation activities across multiple production facilities
* Identify operational risks, bottlenecks, and constraints while implementing mitigation strategies
* Drive ERP and planning system improvements to enhance visibility, reporting, and decision-making capability
* Present operational performance, strategic insights, and planning risks to senior leadership teams
* Lead, coach, and develop regional planning teams while fostering a high-performance culture
* Support wider supply chain transformation and operational excellence initiatives across Europe
Candidate Profile
We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded supply chain and production planning leader with a strong track record operating within complex manufacturing environments.
Essential Experience & Skills
* Extensive experience within Production Planning, Supply Chain Planning, or Operations Planning leadership roles
* Proven track record managing complex multi-site manufacturing operations across Europe
* Strong experience driving transformation, process improvement, and organisational change
* Deep understanding of SIOP / S&OP processes within manufacturing environments
* Experience improving operational efficiencies, inventory optimisation, and production performance
* Strong analytical capability with advanced Excel skills
* ERP and advanced planning systems experience (SAP highly desirable)
* Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills with the ability to influence at senior leadership level
* Strong leadership experience managing and developing planning teams across multiple locations
* Ability to operate effectively within fast-paced, matrix, international organisations
Preferred
* Experience within Automotive, industrial manufacturing, engineering, or technical production environments
* Lean, Six Sigma, or operational excellence exposure
* Degree qualified in Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, or Business-related discipline
Why Apply?
This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly respected international manufacturing business undergoing significant operational transformation. The role offers the chance to shape European production planning strategy, drive meaningful change across multiple sites, and play a key role in improving operational performance at scal