Site Planning Manager - 42832

The Newton Aycliffe rail vehicle manufacturing facility has a critical customer delivery plan for each train project, building multiple train sets across a range of manufacturing sections. The overall customer delivery plan breaks down into a detailed manufacturing build schedule for each individual train and train car.

The Site Planning Manager has a pivotal role with overall responsibility and being involved in the following level of plans:

• 1st Level Planning : Global Workload, Scenario Planning, Bids, Financial Models
• 2ndLevel Planning : Site Plans, Capacity Models
• 3rd Level Planning : Production Planning and Control

Manufacturing teams experience a variety of situations that result impact planned build activity. This can include material shortages, equipment failure, quality issues or design changes post production. Key responsibilities include:

• Leadership of the Newton Aycliffe production plan across multiple train projects, e.g. IEP (Intercity Express Programme) and ASR (Abellio Scot Rail) and future projects
• Manages a production control function / team who:-
• Create, own and maintain an up to the minute daily build plan that is constantly updated and visible to all stakeholders in real time.
• Create, own and maintain an up to the minute daily Testing plan that is constantly updated and visible to all stakeholders in real time.
• Create, own and maintain an up to the minute daily Post Production Works (PPW) plan that is constantly updated and visible to all stakeholders in real time.
• On a daily basis maintains a clear view of the day by day and week-ahead production, test & PPW plan.
• Develop close working relationships and information flow with managers and section leaders across the warehouse, production, material control, test, quality and PPW.
• Bring together the high volume of complex build and information from across the many different manufacturing and planning teams to form a clear daily / weekly production, test & PPW plan.
• Take action on a daily basis to check, verify and confirm the key information that backs up the plan e.g. reviewing material shortage lists, expected material delivery dates, looking at SOPS, chasing information on materials arriving on site.
• Work closely with the multiple operations, warehouse and test section leaders to get up to the minute, accurate information that allows the daily build plan to be constantly updated in real time.
• Are fully knowledgeable about where the opportunities exist to re-plan build activities where necessary.
• Put in place recovery plans / re-plan activity in response to issues that impact the daily build.
• Communicate the plan and changes back out to stakeholders, leaders and teams.
• Release orders for production, PPW and Test.
• Leads the decision making, communication of actions and recording of adjustments to be made to the plan in order to respond to the frequent changes that arise on a daily / weekly basis. This includes rescheduling work within the build plan and/or making the decision to index the line and catch back later.
• Job holder often needs to make judgements based on partial information / best judgement with the information available.
• Co-ordinates and attends daily meetings with key stakeholders with the aim of communicating the plan, including any changes.
• Attends to lead decision making conversations and drive acceptance of the plan across the site.
• Has the overall authority to control, change, delay, recover and adjust the build plan. Exercises this authority with due consideration and communication with key production personnel. This may include overtime, alternate shift planning, resource recommendations etc. Escalates decision making where required.
• Takes an active role in planning for future projects at NAY incorporation with other departments, including index rates, ramp up speeds, trails and expected completion dates.
• Co-ordinates and reviews plant capacity (site wide) for planning purposes, to ensure constraints are not broken and escalate as required.
• Attends weekly project reviews and has active input into areas which effect the planning / constraints of the plant.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate all of the Essential Requirements listed below:

• Experience demonstrates that the candidate has previously operated at this level of pivotal role, it brings together the required functions to deliver the production plan. Candidate is a key influencer and must have worked in a similar high level role in manufacturing environment previously.
• Must have worked in a manufacturing environment where the product is large and complex, individual units are variable and change to the product is frequent. Train design is not fixed at manufacturing launch and high levels of variance exist between train types and individual rail cars. Material changes/shortages are frequent.
• A proven track record of material flow processes in a complex manufacturing business, a confident decision maker, who can effectively plan, organise and control the daily build plan across multiple models and variation.
• Communication / influencing skills, strong persuasion, good judgement, high levels of confidence and ability to execute decision making and lead others outside of their team.
• High levels of resilience – experience of working at the frontend of the business responding to daily issues and changes.
• Experience of leading and managing a cross functional team.
• Desirable Requirements
• Experience of SAP and Project Planning general tools
• Experience working with cultures outside of the UK, ideally experience of working in or with a Japanese or Italian company

Qualifications

Degree level (or equivalent experience), preferably within significant manufacturing related component.