Senior Materials Planner
Added 2 Sept · still live
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£41,700
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 3116 (80% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £41,700, and Oxford Instruments plc is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
Worth checking: this could also be SOC 4133 (Stock control clerks and assistants, Materials planner index entry; role manages material availability and stock), which is not on the eligible-occupation list. Ask Oxford Instruments plc what the duties actually are.
About the role
Location: Bristol, UK
Contract: 6-month fixed-term contract, with the potential to become permanent
Working pattern: Initially site-based, with potential for hybrid working once fully trained
The Opportunity
Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology is looking for an experienced Senior Materials Planner to join our Planning team in Yatton.
This is a key role within our manufacturing operation, responsible for ensuring that materials, work orders and supporting documentation are available when required to meet production schedules and customer commitments.
You will work closely with colleagues across Production, Purchasing, Engineering, Quality, Stores, Build and Test to manage material availability, resolve shortages and support the smooth flow of work through the manufacturing process.
The position is initially offered as a 6-month fixed-term contract, with the potential to become permanent depending on future business requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Contract: 6-month fixed-term contract, with the potential to become permanent
Working pattern: Initially site-based, with potential for hybrid working once fully trained
The Opportunity
Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology is looking for an experienced Senior Materials Planner to join our Planning team in Yatton.
This is a key role within our manufacturing operation, responsible for ensuring that materials, work orders and supporting documentation are available when required to meet production schedules and customer commitments.
You will work closely with colleagues across Production, Purchasing, Engineering, Quality, Stores, Build and Test to manage material availability, resolve shortages and support the smooth flow of work through the manufacturing process.
The position is initially offered as a 6-month fixed-term contract, with the potential to become permanent depending on future business requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Raise and maintain work orders to support the production plan.
- Release work orders into production following the appropriate approval process.
- Work with Stores and kitting teams to ensure materials are available in line with build schedules.
- Manage work-order part lists throughout the build and test process.
- Monitor material availability and resolve shortages in partnership with Production, Purchasing and other operational teams.
- Review and action MRP messages, including work-order amendment and cancellation requirements.
- Support engineering changes, concessions and deviation permits affecting active builds.
- Add additional material requirements to work orders when required, ensuring that requests are properly investigated and controlled.
- Maintain accurate planning information within the relevant MRP and business systems.
- Identify and communicate risks that could affect production schedules, customer delivery or revenue.
You will be an experienced materials or production planner with a strong understanding of MRP-controlled manufacturing.
You will be comfortable working in a busy production environment, managing changing priorities and collaborating with a wide range of internal teams. You will also be proactive in identifying risks, resolving problems and ensuring that accurate information is available to support operational decisions.
As this position will provide immediate support to the Planning team, you should be able to quickly understand existing processes and make a positive contribution.
Essential Requirements
- Substantial experience in materials planning, production planning or manufacturing planning.
- Strong knowledge of MRP-based planning and scheduling.
- Experience working within a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment.
- Practical experience of managing work orders, material requirements and production shortages.
- The ability to interpret production schedules and translate them into clear material actions.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple activities.
- Good communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- A proactive and practical approach to problem-solving.
- Good IT skills and experience using ERP, MRP or other manufacturing business systems.
- The ability to identify delivery risks and escalate issues appropriately.
- Experience working within a lean manufacturing environment.
- Knowledge of lean principles as applied to materials management.
- Experience using Edwards E1 or a comparable ERP or MRP system.
- Experience managing engineering changes, concessions or deviation processes.
- Previous experience supporting or deputising for a team leader.
- An IOM, ONC, HNC or equivalent professional or technical qualification.
- Materials are available to production accurately and on time.
- Work orders are raised, maintained and closed correctly.
- Production shortages are identified and resolved promptly.
- MRP action messages are kept to a minimum.
- Build schedules and customer delivery requirements are supported.
- First-time kitting performance is improved.
- Planning information is accurate and clearly communicated.
- Inventory is managed effectively while protecting production requirements.
At Oxford Instruments, we enable the world’s leading industrial companies and scientific research communities to image, analyse and manipulate materials down to the atomic and molecular level.
Our Plasma Technology business operates in an innovative and growing advanced-manufacturing environment. You will work alongside colleagues from a range of technical and operational disciplines, supporting the delivery of sophisticated products to customers around the world.
The role will initially require regular attendance at our Yatton site while you learn our products, systems and manufacturing processes. Once you are fully trained and established in the role, some hybrid working may be possible depending on business and team requirements.
Our Values
We are committed to being:
- Inclusive: We seek different perspectives and value collaboration.
Oxford Instruments is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds.
If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let our Talent Acquisition team know so that we can support you.
Apply Now
If you are an experienced materials or production planner who enjoys solving operational challenges and working closely with manufacturing teams, we would like to hear from you.
Apply today to join Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology as a Senior Materials Planner.
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Oxford Instruments plc, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
SOC 3116 · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · ~54k in sampleP25 £30kP75 £42k
£26kmedian £35kgoing rate £42k
Similar sponsored roles
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Browse more sponsored jobs at Oxford Instruments plcAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Oxford Instruments plc holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 3116 going rate of £41,700. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.