Job Description

The Head of Production Planning is accountable for leading all planning activities across manufacturing sites, ensuring reliable end-to-end planning processes that optimise cost, lead times, and delivery performance. The role aligns and develops planning teams to consistently meet or exceed the needs of customers, programmes, and the business.
Leads and develops the Production Planning team across all sites. Backlog management, and ERP/MRP data integrity to enable predictable delivery performance. Acts as a key member of the Supply Chain Leadership Team, driving readiness, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement while co-ordinating closely with both internal and external stakeholders.
Planning Leadership & Strategy
• Define and own the production planning strategy and policies, aligned with Supply Chain function strategy, business strategy, and aerospace best practices.
• Build and develop team capabilities through coaching, functional training, and succession planning.
• Drive functional readiness reviews and support make/buy committee decisions.

Tactical Planning
• Oversee day-to-day planning activities across production planning.
• Establish, publish, and maintain reliable and detailed finite shop-floor schedules.
• Manage work centre backlogs, balancing resources and reducing constraints to improve schedule adherence.

Capacity & Demand Management
• Analyse demand variation and incorporate into supply plans.
• Lead capacity planning (RCCP/CRP) across internal resources, ensuring readiness for rate changes and new product introductions.
• Allocate resource effectively across planning functions to support business growth.

ERP/MRP Systems & Data Integrity
• Ensure ERP/MRP data accuracy (BOMs, routings, planning parameters) to support reliable planning outcomes.
• Embed and standardise QRQC problem-solving and drive continuous improvements in system use.
• Provide daily, weekly, and monthly reports against KPIs, analysing root causes and driving recovery actions.

Programme & Customer Support
• Act as senior planning interface and escalation with Programme Management teams, providing credible delivery dates and recovery plans.
• Own engineering change request (ECR) management through the supply chain, ensuring timely incorporation and minimal disruption.
• Support programme milestones and customer commitments, including readiness reviews.

Continuous Improvement & Technology
• Identify and execute planning improvement initiatives, incorporating lean and problem-solving tools.
• Drive improvement in planning systems, processes, and technology adoption to support long-term efficiency.
• Partner with Supply Chain Centre of Excellence to align training, best practice sharing, and development opportunities.

Job Requirements

Proven experience leading production or supply chain planning in a manufacturing environment (ideally aerospace or complex assemblies).
Strong technical knowledge of MRP II principles, ERP/MES systems, and supply planning methodologies.
Experience in business economics, demand management, or capacity modelling.
Degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field.
Professional qualifications (e.g. APICS CPIM/CSCP, Lean/CI certifications.
Familiarity with advanced planning/APS systems.
Knowledge of lean methodologies, problem-solving tools, and quality management systems (e.g. AS9100)
Highly analytical with strong attention to detail; capable of interpreting demand, backlog, and performance data.
Outcomes-oriented and accountable, with proven ability to improve OTIF, lead time, and plan stability.
Excellent interpersonal skills, able to build strong relationships and influence across functions.
Strong leadership skills with history of managing and developing high-performing teams.
Growth mindset and well adept at change management on a macro and micro level.
Positive can-do attitude, with tenacity to see a task through to completion.

No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to hear from you!

Our employees are at the heart of our success, as we work together for our sustainable future. There are four People Fundamentals that underpin life at Safran:
• We believe in and promote diversity and inclusion as key values across our business
• We develop our colleagues skills and build opportunities so you can shape our future
• We create a trustworthy work place to support you, as you dare to act and innovate
• We encourage collaboration and mutual support for you and your colleagues

Please apply and submit your CV today! Once your CV has been reviewed, we will contact you with the next stages.

We want Safran Seats to be a workplace where everyone feels valued, can be themselves and know they can reach their full potential. We embrace and celebrate our differences through various initiatives and support colleagues through a number of staff networks.

We're committed to building a strong, diverse workforce and making Safran Seats an inclusive place to work.
This role is subject to pre-employment checks, including but not limited to criminal record checks. While having unspent convictions may not necessarily prevent you from being employed, you are required to disclose any unspent convictions during the recruitment process. Only candidates who successfully pass these checks will be considered for employment.

But what else? (advantages, specific features, etc.)

What We'll Offer
• As a valued member of our team, these are just a few of the benefits you'll receive:
• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Industry leading pension scheme with salary sacrifice employer contributions up to 10%.
• Private medical cover (to include Digital GP and rapid access Physio with no excess) with ability to upgrade level of benefit and cover family members.
• Up to 15% bonus
• Access to salary sacrifice benefits scheme including cycle to work and Octopus EV Scheme
• 4 x Life Assurance
• Interactive benefits platform including wide range of discretionary benefits including technology, retail benefits, income protection.
• Enhanced family friendly policies and benefits (enhanced maternity and paternity leave) and employee assistance programme
• Annual share save schemes.
• Option for hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Opportunities for career advancement and personal growth. Benefit from support through Safran University and our internal Training and Development Schools
• Get involved in our corporate social responsibility activities from sustainability initiatives, charity and fundraising, volunteering days, or supporting STEM activities at local schools and colleges nurturing the next generation of talent

Company Information

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.

Safran Seats is one of the world's leading manufacturers of aircraft seats, for both crew and passengers. 1 million Safran Seats-manufactured aircraft seats are currently in service with air fleets around the world.