Planning Manager

About the Role

We are looking for a driven and analytical Planning Manager to join our team at Future Pipe Industries. In this cross-functional role, you will bridge Sales & Marketing, Finance, and Operations to ensure optimal capacity utilisation across our manufacturing network spanning GCC, MENA, and Asia — delivering the best production outcomes for our customers.

Key Responsibilities

Demand Planning & Production Allocation

• Manage the allocation of forecasted projects to manufacturing units based on available capacity and customer requirements.

• Develop business allocation rules per product line, factoring in manufacturing cost, logistics cost, lead time, and customer satisfaction.

• Perform cost-benefit analysis of production scenarios including shift adjustments, resource changes, and network modifications.

• Maintain weekly validation of enquiry status and ensure master schedules are always up to date.

S&OP & Scheduling Coordination

• Lead S&OP meetings with key stakeholders to finalise production releases, project prioritisation, and capacity allocation decisions.

• Provide management with consolidated capacity utilisation reports and communicate meeting outcomes to local schedulers.

• Oversee scheduling activities across 2 manufacturing units — ensuring machine outputs, backlogs, and constraints are properly reflected.

• Monitor scheduler compliance with monthly production orders and advise corrective actions for any production delays.

• Escalate additional capacity and special raw material requirements to the relevant stakeholders.

Project Planning & Team Leadership

• Maintain a consolidated master plan across all production lines and proactively identify and resolve critical scheduling issues.

• Conduct regular alignment meetings with the Project team to adjust priorities and ensure on-time delivery commitments are met.

• Lead, attract, develop, and retain a high-performing planning team; conduct annual appraisals and define clear KPIs aligned with FPI's strategic goals.

• Identify key positions and ensure succession plans are in place for critical roles within the function.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in a business or technical discipline; Master's / MBA preferred.

• 5+ years of experience in production planning, logistics, or supply chain management with increasing levels of responsibility.

• Hands-on experience with lifecycle planning from quotation to product delivery.

• Background in discrete manufacturing environments.

• Proficiency in planning software tools and strong analytical and logical thinking skills.

• Excellent English communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships across functions.

• Multinational or international working experience is a strong advantage.