Senior Planner

The Opportunity - Senior Planner

About the role:

As a Senior Planner at JCB World Headquarters (Rocester Operations), you’ll play a pivotal role in managing inbound supply to support production. Operating in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, you’ll be responsible for coordinating supply chain activities, ensuring materials are delivered in line with the S&OP build programme, and protecting production schedules.

You’ll work closely with a UK, EU, and international supplier base, leading supplier performance and ensuring inbound schedules are effectively managed through SAP. This is a highly visible role requiring strong planning expertise, supplier management capability, and the ability to respond quickly to changing production demands. In addition, you’ll contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and act as a key driver in enhancing planning processes and operational efficiency.

What does this role involve day to day?

Planning & Scheduling

• Plan and manage inbound manufacturing schedules for Rocester operations

• Convert forecast and S&OP build plans into supplier schedules using SAP

• Ensure alignment between material availability and production requirements

Supplier Management

• Manage a UK, EU, and international supply base

• Build strong supplier relationships and drive performance improvements

• Monitor delivery performance and address overdue or at-risk supply

Expediting & Issue Resolution

• Proactively expedite inbound materials to protect production build programmes

• Respond to shortages, supply delays, and escalations

• Ensure urgent requirements are prioritised to minimise disruption

Systems & Data Management

• Manage inbound schedules and planning activities through SAP (or equivalent MRP systems)

• Maintain accurate planning data, including lead times and supply parameters

• Provide clear visibility of risks and material availability

Production Support

• Work closely with internal stakeholders to align supply with production needs

• Adapt quickly to schedule changes and assess material impact

• Support consistent production output across Rocester operations

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve planning processes and supply chain efficiency

• Support operational transformation initiatives

• Drive improvements in supplier responsiveness and planning accuracy

This will be suited to you if…

• You have experience in supply chain, planning, or supplier management within a manufacturing environment

• You are confident using SAP or equivalent MRP systems

• You have experience managing UK, EU, and international suppliers

• You thrive in a fast-paced environment and can manage competing priorities effectively

• You have a proven ability to expedite materials and resolve supply issues to protect production schedules

• You possess strong analytical skills and attention to detail

• You are an effective communicator, able to build relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders

• You are proactive, organised, and able to identify and mitigate risks before they impact operations

• You have experience working cross-functionally to deliver operational outcomes

What happens next?

Ordinarily, our Resourcing Team reviews and shortlists CVs. If shortlisted, you’ll speak to one of our Recruiters to discuss the role further. Our interview process usually consists of an initial team’s interview followed by an in-person interview. We’ll keep in touch throughout the process but if you have any questions, please get in touch at recruitment@jcb.com 

What’s in it for you?

This is your chance to join a company that values expertise not only in rewards but also in real employee care. At JCB you don’t just get a competitive salary, 33 days’ holiday and access to our company pension—you can also use our onsite gym, in-house doctor and dentist. We have an ULEV car scheme available for our employees too. Then there’s the JCB Rewards Hub, which gives you discounts with high street retailers. Feel like biking to work? There’s our Cycle to Work Scheme.

We value diversity and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We’re committed to ensuring our recruitment process is fair and inclusive. If you face any accessibility challenges with your online application and require additional support, you have the option of speaking to a member of our Recruitment Team who can support you to complete an application in an alternative format. If you would benefit from this support, please email recruitment@jcb.com, and a member of the team will be in touch.

Recruitment Agencies: JCB does not accept any speculative approaches to present candidates for advertised vacancies.