Title:  Head of Production Planning and Material Availability

Lotus Cars is based in Hethel, Norfolk, UK, and is the global headquarter for sports car and hypercar manufacturing operations, the Lotus Advanced Performance Centre and the iconic 2.2-mile test track.

Lotus builds world-class high-performance cars, born out of legendary success on the racetrack including 13 FIA Formula 1 world titles and many other championship honours. In July 2021 Lotus unveiled the all-new Lotus Emira, its last petrol-powered sports car and best-of-breed, and in July 2019 it launched the Evija, the world’s first all-electric British hypercar.

The latest new model from Lotus is the Eletre. Unveiled in March 2022, it has the soul of a sports car and the usability of an SUV. It is pure electric, and represents a clear vision of the future ambition of the company.

Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive consultancy services to many of the world's OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. It is internationally recognised for its long-standing contribution to ground-breaking engineering and innovative vehicle development. Its expertise extends beyond automotive; in August 2021 a Lotus Engineering-developed track bike helped Team GB’s cyclists win seven medals, including three golds, at the Tokyo Olympics. An international consultancy with offices around the world, Lotus Engineering is headquartered at the Lotus Advanced Technology Centre on the University of Warwick’s Wellesbourne Campus in the UK.

Lotus Tech is the global ‘intelligent technology’ division based in Wuhan, China. Its role is to accelerate innovation in the fields of batteries and energy management, electric motors, electronic control systems, intelligent driving, intelligent manufacturing and many more. Lotus Tech is overseeing the manufacture of a range of premium Lotus lifestyle electric vehicles in Wuhan starting in 2022. European operations are based at Lotus Tech Creative Centre, a state-of-the-art design studio in Coventry, UK, and Lotus Tech Innovation Centre, a world-class engineering facility in Raunheim, Germany.

The ongoing transformation of Lotus, from a UK sports car company to a global performance car business and brand, is laid out in the company’s Vision80 strategy. It states what Lotus will be in 2028 when we celebrate our 80th anniversary. We welcome talented, creative and motivated people to join us on our journey. More information on working at Lotus, Vision80 and the exciting, electrified future of Lotus can be found at https://uslot.lotuscars.com

To our candidates, we would encourage the submission of CVs via our online portal. If you cannot see an active position that is suitable, please use the buttons above to REGISTER YOUR INTEREST and appropriate new vacancies will be sent to you.

Head of Production Planning and Materials Availability

Location - Hethel

Overview:

This position will lead the strategic development and operational delivery of our  Production Planning, Control (PP) and Materials Availability (MA) departments, within the Lotus supply chain function at our Hethel facility.

This position will drive and inspire the supply chain organisation in line with the Lotus Vision 80 corporate strategy ensuring supply chain best practice and lean principles are at the centre of the business. This position will also ensure that policies and processes are aligned and complimentary with other functions, including but not limited to, Purchasing, Sales & Marketing, Product Engineering, Programme Management and Launch.

Scope:

• Development and implementation of the Production Planning and Materials Availability departments alongside broader supply chain teams.
• Lead Production Planning and Materials Availability departments ensuring best in class processes and operations.
• Improve Production Planning and Materials Availability departments operations and lead the scoping and implementation of new and revised business processes and systems.
• Ensure vehicle production is planned efficiently in order to ensure production volumes are achieved on a weekly, monthly and annual basis and corporate objectives are met in full
• Ensure sufficient material availability and flexibility in line with build schedules.
• Order, maintain and control material flow chains from supplying points.
• Maintain optimised levels of inventory and keep within agreed financial levels of approved inventory holding
• Ensure all program launches meet supply chain deployment deliverables in a timely manner.

This position will provide leadership across the PP and MA and broader supply chain function.

Production Planning and Control

Plan the chain of operations to enable Manufacturing Operations to be executed according to the approved Sales and Operations Plan (S&OP). Lead S&OP cadence and exec approval.

Achieve maximum efficiency and manage variations and risks with internal stakeholders including Sales & Marketing, Programme Management Office (PMO), Engineering and Procurement.

Materials Availability

Ensure operational and strategic material planning processes are in place to enable execution of production plans. Leading and co-ordinating internal and external parties to ensure the supply of materials is in place to satisfy production requirements. Able to deliver efficient, effective and flexible solutions to meet production requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Overall responsibility for all PP and MP activities across the business
• Create and implement best practice PP and MP vision, strategy, policies, processes and procedures to aid and improve operational performance
• Review opportunities to improve operational and financial performance and to ensure minimal operational disruption and maximum customer satisfaction
• Evaluate the challenges faced by the organisation and take action to mitigate risks and develop opportunities
• Contribute to overall business strategy and annual budget process

General and Task Management

• Oversee and manage inventory integrity and review ways to reduce inventory levels
• Ensure IT systems in place are effective, accurate and maintained and review opportunities to standardise and streamline utilising current or new systems
• Interpret and analyse complex data and trends and develop recommendations and strategies based on analysis
• Ensure that plans, schedules and performance metrics are available and regularly report progress to others

People Management

• Provide leadership, coach and develop direct reports and manage high performing teams that deliver continuous improvement, added value and cost reductions
• Set department objectives and monitor ongoing progress and performance
• Ensure strong communication between teams under leadership to facilitate exchange of information and in order to implement change and improvements
• Ensure that all functions under supervision operate in accordance with health, safety and environmental policies and procedures to ensure the safety of staff and visitors
• Responsible for developing the appropriate organisational structure, resource plans and culture to support the business objectives and customer deliverables
• Provide leadership, coordination and coaching to the team, ensuring they are trained enabling them to achieve the operational and financial metrics within their areas of responsibility and succeed in their roles
• Complete regular performance reviews, manage attendance, holidays, disciplinary issues and procedures as appropriate
• Work with the senior management team to translate strategy into specific annual performance goals and departmental objectives. including KPIs, and to track them

Financial Budget and Control

• Input and hold responsibility for PP and MP budgets. Manage the budget from identification to completion of projects

Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and work collaboratively to ensure objectives are being met
• Communicate any concerns and recommend solutions without compromising quality or service and aim for cost optimisation
• Contribute to new business initiatives and projects and review and communicate the impact on PP and MP activities
• Ensure performance of suppliers, logistics partners, transportation companies etc and make improvements and cost savings where possible
• Ensure on time, high quality delivery to all customers
• Work collaboratively, negotiate and engage with key stakeholders to facilitate delivery and compliance with overall supply chain strategy
• Maintain excellent relationships with customers and monitor performance and progress of deliveries to ensure customer satisfaction while optimising costs
• Ensure compliance with import/export regulations/customs regulations including dangerous goods shipment and aviation security, and legal and health and safety requirements

Experience:

• Extensive and proven supply chain strategy development and execution leadership experience, in a product-based material processing and manufacturing assembly operation. Automotive not essential
• Development, implementation and optimisation of Sales and Operations planning and execution practices
• Experience and interest in business and supply chain transformation.
• Deep and practical experience of ERP/MRP implementation and integration, ideally SAP Production and Material Planning modules
• Practical experience and knowledge of implementing and optimising Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)

Attributes:

• Open, approachable and ‘one team’ mindset
• Proven leadership and management skills with the ability to optimise team performance and development
• Strong analytical leader and people person
• Innate ability to recognise risks and issues, identify root causes and execute resolution actions
• Comfortable and excited by change and business transformation
• Confidence in communication, interpersonal and influencing skills
• Excellent relationship management skills with the ability to engage, negotiate and manage key stakeholders
• Commercially and financially astute
• Proven analytical, problem solving and organisational skills
• Results orientated with the ability to plan and prioritise multiple projects of self and others and to deliver against objectives and deadlines

Benefits:

• 33 days holiday including stats
• Half day Friday
• Annual Bonus 
• Car Lease Scheme (inc EV)
• Life Insurance
• Private Healthcare
• Employee Reward and Discount Scheme
• Enhanced Pension
• Other benefits

If this seems like thenext step in your career - APPLY NOW!!!

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We offer you all the advantages of working for a prestigious high-tech automotive company. You will find a purpose-built facility, with all the tools and equipment you need to do an outstanding job. You will benefit from our fast-paced learning environment and our track record in designing and manufacturing thoroughbred sports cars over the last seven decades.

Our benefits package includes Bonus Scheme, Pension, Health Cover and more, specifics depend on location. You can also access our exclusive Employee discount, wellbeing and recognition platform #ForUSLOT 

More information on working at Lotus,  Vision 80 and the exciting future for Lotus can be found  https://uslot.lotuscars.com