Planning Manager EMEA - Manufacturing

  • Smartsearch Recruitment
  • Jan 23, 2026
Full time Manufacturing

Job Description

Planning Manager EMEA Manufacturing Salary £60-£70k + excellent benefits and long-term career development Hybrid working 2 3 days per week on-site (Croydon, South London)

Our client is a well-established, global manufacturing business operating in a specialist, high-value product environment. As part of continued growth across international markets, they are looking to appoint an experienced EMEA Planning Manager to lead the regional planning function and support the ongoing development of planning capability.

This is a permanent position with clear scope to evolve over time, offering a strong opportunity for an ambitious Planning Manager to increase regional responsibility within a global organisation.

Planning Manager The Role

You will lead the EMEA Planning team, ensuring manufacturing and inventory plans consistently deliver strong customer service while balancing efficiency, cost, and stock optimisation. The role plays a central part in how planning operates across the region, combining regional oversight with hands-on leadership.

You will work closely with senior stakeholders across Operations, Commercial, Logistics, and Finance, contributing to the continued development of planning processes and the regional input into global S&OP activity.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead, motivate, and develop the EMEA Planning team, setting clear priorities and driving performance.
  • Manage and optimise inventory levels across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
  • Take ownership of supply planning for high-value product ranges, including coordination with third-party suppliers.
  • Support the development of planning capability through improved processes, systems, and data insight.
  • Lead the supply planning input into the company s global S&OP process.
  • Build effective working relationships with cross-functional stakeholders across the business.
  • Champion the effective use and ongoing development of the ERP system.

About You

You will be an experienced Planning Manager with a strong manufacturing background, comfortable operating in a regional role and working across functions. You enjoy improving systems and processes, leading teams, and balancing strategic thinking with operational delivery.

What you ll bring:

  • Solid experience in a Planning Manager or equivalent role within a manufacturing environment.
  • Proven leadership and team development experience.
  • Strong working knowledge of ERP systems and S&OP processes.
  • A track record of continuous improvement within planning or supply chain functions.
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence across functions.

If you're ready to take ownership of the Planning function for a global manufacturing business, we d love to hear from you. Please apply with your CV.

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