1. Role Overview
The Production Planner & Buyer, reporting to the UK Director, is responsible for planning production activities and ensuring the timely procurement of technical components and materials required for manufacturing high-performance fluid transfer systems.
Working in a fast-paced motorsport environment, this role coordinates production schedules with material availability, supplier lead times and customer requirements to ensure reliable, on time and in full deliveries to, predominantly, the automotive industry including race teams.
The role combines production scheduling, supply chain coordination and technical purchasing to maintain efficient operations within a small, highly specialised engineering and manufacturing business.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
Production Scheduling
- Respond to customer request for build, delivery, production dates
- Develop and maintain daily and weekly production schedules aligned with customer delivery requirements
- Sequence work orders to optimise due date performance, considering machine capacity, specialist labour and key production resources
- Assist Sales understand production lead times so that realistic due-dates can be promised to customers.
- Adjust schedules in response to engineering changes, expedited jobs or material availability
- Communicate production priorities clearly to the workshop areas
- Coordinate with both the Sales and Workshop managers to ensure effective systems of work
Technical Purchasing
- Source and procure components, materials and parts required for production
- Raise and manage purchase orders with approved suppliers
- Monitor supplier lead times and ensure materials arrive in line with production requirements
- Work with Sales and Engineering to ensure correct specifications and revisions are ordered
Supplier Coordination
- Maintain strong working relationships with suppliers
- Track order progress and proactively manage and highlight any delivery risks or delays
- Support supplier selection and cost management where appropriate
Material & Work Order Coordination
- Ensure all materials, components, and documentation are available before releasing work orders to production. Manage “part-picked” jobs.
- Monitor stock levels of critical or long-lead items. Set minimum stock levels in conjunction with Sales, Engineering and Finance.
- Ensure that minimum stock levels are achieved.
- Coordinate with production to ensure smooth material flow through the workshop.
Progress Monitoring
- Track production progress against schedule and identify potential delays.
- Escalate risks early and support resolution with Production, Sales, Engineering, or suppliers.
To ensure alignment between production priorities, material availability, and customer commitments, you must work closely with Production, Engineering, Quality and Sales.
3. Requirements
Essential
- Experience in production scheduling, purchasing or supply chain roles within engineering or manufacturing
- Experience sourcing precision machined components, specialist materials, or technical assemblies.
- Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving motorsport or high-performance engineering environment.
Desirable
- Understanding of technical drawings, specifications, and engineering change processes.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems and Excel-based planning tools
Pay: £40,000.00-£55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free parking
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Brackley NN13: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- Production scheduling, purchasing or supply chain roles: 3 years (required)
- sourcing precision machined components or materials: 3 years (required)
- Engineering or Manufacturing environment: 3 years (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
