Production Planning & Logistics Manager

Introduction:
Saab UK is part of Scandinavia's largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation. Saab offers world-leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space, and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth. We currently employ over 500 people across eight sites in the UK, and our specialisations include software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training.

As part of the global entity Saab AB, Saab UK combines the innovative spirit of a start-up with the resources and expertise of a larger corporation. Globally, Saab employs over 22,000 people, with operations on every continent. Our partnerships with UK customers and industry mean we are able to deliver innovative solutions to complex challenges, anticipating the threats of tomorrow. We invest 17% of our annual revenue into research and development, collaborating with a range of partners including industry and academia.

The Role:

This role is part of our Sensor Systems Radar Business Unit. You will play a pivotal role in optimising overall production operations, facilitating technical transfer of units and products from Sweden to Fareham production and the general running of the Fareham warehouse. You will lead the implementation and enhancement of the ERP system (IFS) at our Fareham site. You will be responsible for ensuring production schedules are met, coordinating with teams in Sweden, and providing leadership to the production planning, warehouse, and logistics teams.

Responsibilities:

Production Optimization through Planning:

Collaborate with teams in Sweden to optimize production processes and workflows.

Develop planning strategies to enhance production efficiency, minimize downtime, and reduce costs.

Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track production performance and identify areas for improvement.

Develop and implement supply chain strategies to ensure optimal material flow and minimize bottlenecks.

Create and maintain production schedules aligned with customer demand and operational capacity.

Forecast material requirements to support production plans.

Inventory Management:

Develop and maintain inventory policies to meet service level targets while minimizing carrying costs.

Monitor and manage inventory levels to prevent shortages or overstock situations.

Implement systems and processes to track inventory accuracy and ensure availability

Technical Transfer:

Facilitate the seamless transfer of production technologies and processes between Saab sites.

Ensure that technical transfer projects are executed according to schedule and meet quality standards.

Coordinate closely with cross-functional teams to resolve any technical issues that may arise during transfer processes.

Logistics Coordination:

Oversee the coordination of material movements within the supply chain.

Ensure on-time delivery of materials to production and finished goods to customers.

Collaborate with transportation providers and warehouse teams to streamline logistics.

Continuous Improvement:

Identify opportunities to enhance supply chain efficiency and reduce costs.

Drive process improvements through data analysis, metrics tracking, and cross-functional collaboration.

Implement best practices and innovative technologies in supply chain planning.

ERP Implementation/Enhancement:

Lead the project to introduce/enhance the IFS ERP system into the Fareham site.

Develop implementation plans, timelines, and budgets for the ERP enhancement project.

Collaborate with IT and other relevant stakeholders to customize and configure the ERP system to meet the specific needs of the production / Purchasing environment.

Team Leadership:

Manage and provide leadership to a team of production planners, warehouse staff, and logistics personnel.

Set clear performance objectives and provide regular feedback and coaching to team members.

Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability within the team.

Compliance and Quality Assurance:

Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, standards, and quality management systems.

Implement measures to maintain product quality, traceability, and safety standards in the production process.

Coordinate with quality assurance teams to address any non-conformities and implement corrective actions as needed.

Qualifications and Experience:

Proven experience in production planning, project management, and ERP implementation within a manufacturing environment.

Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to effectively coordinate cross-functional teams and drive change initiatives.

Knowledge of production planning principles, supply chain management, and lean manufacturing methodologies as well as an understanding of Export Control regulations.

Experience with ERP systems, particularly IFS, is highly desirable.

Familiarity with regulatory requirements and quality management systems (e.g., ISO standards) is an advantage.

By submitting an application to Saab UK you consent to undertaking workforce screening activities that may include but are not limited to: Baseline Personnel Security checks, National Security Vetting, reference checks, verification of working rights and in all circumstances preferred candidates will be placed through a security interview