Planning Leader - 18 Months Fixed Term Contract

This role is for a temporary maternity cover for the Planning Leader at Dowty. As the Planning Leader - Dowty Propellers, you will own and lead the planning function to ensure safe, high-quality, on-time delivery of propeller products and services to global customers. You will manage a team of planners, develop robust production and materials plans, and drive data accuracy and process discipline in our planning systems. Working closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Program teams, you will balance demand and capacity, optimize inventory, and proactively manage risks and constraints to achieve core business objectives in Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost., Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the planning function for the site/business, including production planning, materials planning, and capacity planning.
• Develop and deploy planning strategies that support OEM and aftermarket demand, new program introductions, and site capacity constraints.
• Manage, mentor, and develop the planning team, setting clear goals, priorities, and development plans.
• Represent Planning in key forums, including SIOP/IBP, program reviews, customer reviews, and daily/weekly operations reviews.
Demand, Production & Materials Planning
• Translate demand signals (customer orders, forecasts, spares, and repair demand) into feasible master production schedules (MPS).
• Balance demand and capacity, highlighting constraints, risks, and trade-offs; develop mitigation plans with Operations and Supply Chain.
• Lead MRP and materials planning to ensure timely availability of components, kits, and raw materials while controlling inventory levels.
• Coordinate with Procurement and Supplier Management to align supplier capacity and lead times with Dowty's production requirements.
• Support new product introductions and engineering changes, ensuring planning parameters and schedules reflect configuration changes and phase-in/phase-out plans.
Execution & Delivery Performance
• Monitor adherence to plan (schedule adherence, on-time start/finish, OTD) and drive corrective actions when deviations occur.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, and Logistics to resolve material shortages, bottlenecks, and shop floor disruptions.
• Maintain accurate planning master data in ERP/MRP systems (lead times, lot sizes, safety stocks, routings, BOMs, planning strategies).
• Support root cause analysis and corrective actions for late deliveries, past-due orders, and material shortages.
• KPI Development and Business performance Communication Cyclical communication to the business on performance metrics
Inventory & Data Management
• Optimize inventory (raw, WIP, finished goods) to meet service levels and working capital targets.
• Monitor inventory health (excess, obsolete, slow-moving items) and lead recovery and disposition strategies.
• Drive data integrity and discipline for item masters, BOMs, routings, and planning attributes.
• Develop and maintain planning KPIs and dashboards, providing clear visibility to leadership and driving accountability.
• Configuration Control Analyze and execute on configuration control changes made by the Engineering department and plan effectivity dates to optimize inventory strategies
Continuous Improvement
• Identify and implement process improvements in planning, scheduling, and materials management using lean and standard problem-solving tools.
• Standardize planning processes and standard work, ensuring consistent execution across the team.
• Support digital and analytics initiatives to improve forecast accuracy, planning stability, and visibility.
• Train and coach cross-functional teams on planning processes, roles, and expectations.
  
  This role requires advanced experience in the Manufacturing & Materials Planning and Execution. Knowledge level is comparable to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college ( or a high school diploma with relevant experience).
• Strong knowledge of production planning, MRP/ERP systems, materials planning, and capacity planning; strong Excel and data analysis skills; experience with lean/continuous improvement.
• Applies structured problem solving and lean tools to improve planning and business outcomes., Strong oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve problems. Ability to document, plan, market, and execute programs. Established project management skills.
• APICS/ASCM certifications (CPIM, CSCP, or similar) desirable.
• Experience in production/materials planning, supply chain, or operations in a manufacturing environment;
• Experience gained in a people-leadership or team-lead role. Aerospace or complex engineered products experience preferred.
• Leads, motivates, and develops planners; builds a high-performing, engaged team.
• Uses data to build robust plans, evaluate scenarios, and recommend trade-offs.
• Works effectively across Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Programs, and Customer Support.
• Acts with urgency to protect customer delivery and program commitments.
• Communicates clearly and can influence decisions at all organizational levels.
  
  GE supports and encourages flexible working arrangements, where possible, and recognises the benefits to employees of having a positive work-life balance.
Total Reward At GE Aviation we understand the importance of Total Reward. Our flexible benefits plan, called FlexChoice, gives you freedom, choice and flexibility in the way you receive your benefits, as well as giving you the opportunity to make savings where possible. As a new joiner to GE we are pleased to be able to offer you the following as default in your benefit fund, which you then can tailor to meet your individual needs;
• Non-contributory Pension
• Life Assurance
• Group income protection
• Private medical cover
• Holiday Hourly equivalent of 26 days, with flexible option to buy or sell
Security Clearance Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance is required and must be maintained for this role. Please note that in the event that BPSS clearance cannot be obtained, you may not be eligible for the role and/or any offer of employment may be withdrawn on grounds of national security. Please see the link below for further details regarding the requirements for BPSS clearance: BPSS (http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-baseline-personnel-security-standard)