Production Value Stream Planner - 965

What is the job?
We’re looking for a candidate who has experience in planning production operations with ERP/MRP systems to help ensure uninterrupted and on-time supply of manufactured items to our warehouses and customers. You’ll work closely with our Production and Engineering teams to meet shipping deadlines, achieve minimum stock targets, and successfully transition new products.

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week. This role will work on a rota to ensure onsite Production Flow support from 7:30am to 6pm.

Who we are?

Thorlabs is a global, industry leading optical technologies company. We are experts in the design and manufacture or a range of innovative photonics products. We use these products in manufacturing and research, from fibre optics to piezo motors. We are the gold standard with optics laboratories worldwide. There are now 22 facilities across the world in 9 countries. Here in Ely, we are responsible for the Motion Control and Optical Tables product line.

Where you will be working?

Our purpose-built facility is just 12 miles from Cambridge, within the beautiful mediaeval city of Ely. There are train and bus links to Ely from Kings Cross and Liverpool Street London, and our site is within distance of Ely train station and Ely Bus station.

What is essential to us…

• Strong analytical skills and ability to draw actionable insights from multiple, large sources of data and communicate these effectively through reports, dashboards, and presentations
• Ability to handle large Microsoft Excel-based data sets reliably
• Detail oriented and works in a structured and organised manner
• Willingness to become super user of ERP system (AX 2012 or D365)
• Able to work collaboratively with Stores, Production, Inspection, and Packing teams to ensure uninterrupted flow of goods to meet requested delivery dates
• Willing to change hours as needed to ensure onsite production scheduling support

What we would like you to do/ to see…

Production Flow Support:

• Generate and maintain an achievable BU-wide production plan to meet promised delivery dates, matching MRP demand with works orders based on stock availability and capacity
• Attend daily review meetings with Production team leaders and respond to any planning-related throughput issues by identifying ways to continuously improve planning processes
• Step in for team leaders that are unavailable by overseeing the release of production work
• Monitor % capacity utilisation through the day and initiate supply chain related corrective actions 
• Manage planning related ERP settings to ensure they are correct
• Respond to Lead Time & Delivery Update requests from worldwide sales groups
• Analyse KPI reports (late orders, open works orders, zero stock)
• Actively contribute to new methods and strategies that improve efficiency and productivity
• Apply problem-solving skills to conduct root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives that follow PDCA or lean principles
• Follow departmental procedures and standardised work, and proactively contribute to updating them as needed

Periodic/Projects (Obsolescence, NPI, Process or Component Changes):

• Be aware of upcoming NPI release dates and ensure that all MRP settings related to production planning (production pool, route, serialisation, etc.) are set up correctly
• Liaise with Doc & Data team to ensure that items are set up correctly in every warehouse entity prior to NPI release
• Coordinate the warehouse stock run down process of obsolescence
• Attend obsolescence meetings and be prepared to provide projected warehouse depletion timelines to ensure uninterrupted product supply
• Actively contribute to any project with the potential to impact production planning
• Proactively seek to develop knowledge of MRP settings that are relevant to production planning, attend the PPP AX12/D365 meetings
• Collaborate with other teams on improving or adopting new planning processes
• Proactively engage in the transition to D365 through training, testing, and documentation
• Cross-train on Tables BU Planning processes in order to support when needed

What will you get?

At Thorlabs there are lots of opportunities for inhouse customised training and development that accelerates your career progression. We have free onsite parking, free refreshments, as well as an entertainment area in our large canteen for your enjoyment.

And the benefits are?

Competitive Salary to attract the best, plus an excellent benefits package including pension, health care, 25 days holiday plus public holidays.

Job Reference: THOR-VC-965

This is a rolling campaign, so we will actively interview applicants. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

We welcome applications from persons who are over 18 years old.

*This is a legal requirement, further information is here School leaving age - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

This role does not currently meet the UK Visas and Immigration criteria for obtaining a Skilled Worker Visa we are therefore unable to accept applications that require employer sponsorship in order to obtain a Skilled Worker Visa. 

We would encourage all internal applicants to inform their line managers of their interest in this position.

-Contributed Pension Scheme -Group Life Cover -Private Health Care -Group Income Protection & more.

Please apply through the Apply for this job button or send a copy of your CV along with a covering letter and your salary expectations to: Human Resources at Thorlabs Ltd, 204 Lancaster Way Business Park, Ely, Cambs, CB6 3NX or e-mail recruitment@thorlabs.com.

In line with the requirements of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, all applicants must have a valid permission to enter or remain in the UK with no condition that prevents them from working in the UK. Documented evidence of such permission will be required from candidates as part of the recruitment process.