Production Planner

Wiltech Acoustics — now proudly part of Rehlko (formerly Kohler Energy) — is entering an exciting phase of growth and investment. Now integrated into Rehlko’s global energy-resilience group, Wiltech continues to build on its reputation as a leading UK specialist in acoustic canopies, generator enclosures, and industrial noise-control engineering.

Based in Loughborough, our manufacturing facility handles everything in-house — from raw material processing to welding, fabrication, painting, and full assembly of bespoke acoustic units. Joining Wiltech now means becoming part of a strengthened, well-funded and expanding organisation, with new opportunities created through the Rehlko transition.

Production Planning Manager

Wiltech Acoustics has a vacancy for a proactive and experienced Production Planning Manager to join our team and play a key role in driving operational performance and delivery excellence.

The Role:

As Production Planning Manager, you will take full ownership of the production planning function, leading the coordination and optimisation of all manufacturing activities across the business. You will be responsible for ensuring that production is strategically planned, efficiently executed, and aligned with business objectives, customer expectations, and growth targets.

Operating within a bespoke manufacturing environment, you will manage complex, project-based workflows and ensure that planning processes are robust, scalable, and supported by effective use of ERP systems.

This is a hands-on leadership role, requiring close collaboration with sales, engineering, procurement, and workshop teams. You will drive performance through effective planning, resource management, and continuous improvement, while also providing clear leadership and direction to the planning function.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop the production planning function, ensuring best-in-class planning practices across a bespoke manufacturing operation
• Own and manage end-to-end production planification, aligning capacity, materials, and labour with customer demand and business priorities
• Utilise and optimise ERP systems to manage scheduling, materials planning, and production tracking, ensuring data accuracy and visibility
• Oversee order management processes, ensuring smooth progression from order intake through to production and final delivery
• Develop and maintain detailed production schedules for bespoke products, balancing competing priorities and changing customer requirements
• Collaborate closely with sales and engineering teams to ensure seamless transition from design to manufacture
• Monitor production performance, identifying risks, bottlenecks, and constraints, and implementing corrective actions
• Provide regular reporting and insight to senior leadership on KPIs, delivery performance, and operational efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement (C.I.) initiatives to enhance productivity, reduce lead times, and improve on-time delivery
• Manage materials planning and inventory in collaboration with procurement, ensuring availability while controlling costs
• Ensure strong cross-functional communication, keeping all departments aligned on schedules, priorities, and changes
• Promote and enforce high standards of health, safety, quality, and environmental compliance
• Mentor and support team members, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

The Person:

We are seeking a driven and highly organised individual who can bring leadership, structure, and strategic oversight to the production planning function. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong leadership capability, with the confidence to take ownership of the planning function and influence cross-functional teams
• A strategic mindset, with the ability to balance long-term planning with day-to-day operational demands
• Experience working within a bespoke or project-based manufacturing environment
• The ability to manage complexity, changing priorities, and multiple concurrent projects effectively
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach, with the confidence to challenge and improve existing processes
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with excellent attention to detail
• Confidence in working with ERP systems and using data to drive planning decisions
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels of the business
• A collaborative approach, building strong relationships across sales, engineering, and production teams
• Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• A continuous improvement mindset, always seeking opportunities to enhance efficiency and performance

Skills and Experience:

• Proven experience in production planning, planification, or scheduling within a manufacturing environment
• Strong experience working with ERP/MRP systems to manage production, materials, and workflows
• Experience in bespoke or made-to-order product environments is highly desirable
• Demonstrable experience in a leadership or managerial role within planning or operations
• Understanding of order management processes and their integration into production planning
• Experience driving continuous improvement (C.I.) initiatives (Lean or similar methodologies desirable)
• Strong organisational and analytical skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications
• Strong understanding of materials management, supply chain coordination, and inventory control
• Commercial awareness with a focus on delivery performance and customer satisfaction
• Solid understanding of health and safety within a manufacturing setting

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary (DOE)
• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Training and development programs to support career progression
• Pension scheme
• Employee assistance program
• A friendly and supportive working environment
• Opportunity to play a key leadership role within a growing, innovative company in a thriving sector