Planning Manager

TeessidePermanent position

The opportunity

Recruit-i is representing an established Teesside-based engineering business seeking to appoint a Planning Manager on a permanent basis. This is a delivery-focused role for someone who can combine programme development, robust project controls and practical construction knowledge with the ability to guide and develop a planning function.

The successful candidate will work across tendering and active projects, collaborating with operational and commercial colleagues to build credible programmes, assess performance and help delivery teams respond to emerging risks. Regular engagement with project sites is an important part of the position.

Principal responsibilities

Programme development and delivery

• Prepare and manage integrated project schedules using Primavera P6, from tender stage through delivery and completion.
• Develop logical, achievable activity sequences, key dates, resource assumptions and programme milestones in conjunction with delivery teams.
• Maintain reliable progress updates and forward-looking programmes, identifying critical activities and emerging constraints.
• Support construction teams with practical short-term plans and coordinated work priorities.

Performance monitoring and project controls

• Establish consistent methods for measuring physical progress, earned hours and workforce productivity.
• Compare forecast and actual performance, investigate variances and recommend practical corrective action.
• Develop resource profiles and labour forecasts to support mobilisation and project delivery decisions.
• Work with commercial colleagues to align schedule performance with cost reporting, forecasts and change management.
• Provide clear, concise programme information to inform operational and management reviews.

Programme risk, change and contractual support

• Assess the schedule implications of scope changes, constraints and evolving project requirements.
• Maintain appropriate records of programme movement and the underlying causes of delay.
• Contribute to time-impact assessments, extension-of-time submissions and other programme-related contractual matters as required.
• Help project teams identify recovery opportunities and develop realistic mitigation plans.

Tendering and planning leadership

• Prepare tender schedules and planning contributions to project delivery proposals, informed by realistic resource and productivity assumptions.
• Promote consistent planning systems, reporting approaches and quality standards across the business.
• Provide technical direction, coaching and day-to-day support to planners working across concurrent assignments.
• Build effective working relationships with estimating, project delivery, construction and commercial functions.

About you

• Established background in planning or project controls within a contracting, engineering or construction environment.
• Advanced, practical knowledge of Primavera P6, including logic-driven scheduling and programme updates.
• Experience of construction-stage planning, with the confidence to validate actual site progress and challenge assumptions.
• Sound understanding of progress measurement, labour productivity, resource forecasting and programme reporting.
• Exposure to engineering, energy, infrastructure, industrial or M&E project delivery.
• Ability to communicate programme risks and priorities clearly to both site-based and senior stakeholders.
• Previous responsibility for mentoring or supervising planners, or the capability to step into a broader leadership role.

Qualifications and additional experience

A relevant engineering, construction or project management qualification (degree, HNC/HND or equivalent experience) would be beneficial. Professional accreditation and recognised construction safety training are advantageous but not essential. Knowledge of contractual programme obligations and delay analysis would also be valued.

Why consider this position?

This appointment offers the opportunity to shape planning practices, work closely with project delivery teams and make a visible contribution to performance across a varied engineering workload. It will suit a hands-on Planning Manager or an accomplished Senior Planner seeking wider responsibility.