Senior Planning Team Leader

Location | Normanton (On Site)

Contract Type | Full-Time, Permanent

Shift | Monday - Friday, one week 9am-5pm, one week 8am-4pm

Why Join Howdens as a Senior Planning Team Leader:

At Howdens, we’re proud of our long-standing British heritage, award-winning products, and our commitment to outstanding customer service. With a network of over 900 depots and a strong manufacturing base, we’re a market leader in the kitchen and joinery sector.

Joining our Solid Surface Manufacturing Facility in Normanton, you’ll be part of a high-performing, fast-paced environment where your leadership will directly influence the planning and delivery of over 30,000 solid surface worktops annually, generating £90 million in sales. As a Senior Planning Team Leader, you’ll play a pivotal role in optimising our operational planning functions while helping to shape the future of our customer experience and manufacturing strategy.

What Will You Be Doing as a Senior Planning Team Leader:

As a Senior Planning Team Leader, you'll be responsible for leading and mentoring a planning team to deliver high-level strategic and operational performance. Reporting to senior management, you'll manage two Team Leaders and oversee around 40 indirect reports across planning and repricing functions.

You will:

Lead the development and execution of effective planning strategies to support service delivery and operational goals

• Drive the achievement of KPIs and SLAs through effective team leadership and resource allocation
• Coach and develop Planning and Repricing Team Leaders, supporting their professional growth
• Facilitate collaboration between planning, service, field, and sales teams to deliver seamless project execution
• Build and manage relationships with depots, field teams, builders, and end users
• Conduct performance reviews and provide data-driven insights to senior leadership
• Lead regular team meetings, promote continuous improvement, and proactively resolve issues
• Identify risks to planning efficiency and develop solutions to maintain operational timelines and quality standards

What Do You Need to Qualify for the Senior Planning Team Leader Role:

To succeed in this role, you’ll need to bring a blend of planning expertise, people management, and commercial awareness. We’re looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and takes pride in building high-performing teams.

Essential Requirements:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a senior planning or operational leadership role
• Proven experience managing and developing large teams (20+ people), ideally across multiple functional areas
• Strong understanding of planning, scheduling, and service operations in a high-volume environment
• Track record of achieving KPIs and driving team performance
• Proficient in ERP systems and planning tools to enhance operational efficiency
• Excellent organisational and decision-making skills
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders across levels
• A proactive and strategic mindset, with the ability to anticipate challenges and implement effective solutions

What we can offer you:

• Competitive salary, bonus and benefits package
• Pension plan with a company contribution of up to 12%
• Free on-site parking
• Free lunch at our on-site canteen
• Friendly and supportive environment offering exceptional reward and recognition

About Howdens:

Howdens Joinery is the UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier providing thousands of products across kitchens, joinery, and hardware. We have over 900 depots throughout the UK and Europe – making us the first choice for more than 460,000 loyal trade professionals. Last year our sales reached circa 2.2bn, and we have an ambitious growth agenda. 

There is a strong entrepreneurial ethos and the opportunity to develop within a fast-paced and commercial environment.  That, along with a competitive salary, development opportunities, and exciting rewards, are among the reasons why our people enjoy working for Howdens – and why we have been named one of the 10 Best Big Companies to Work For.

How to Apply:

We’re building a future where world-class service, innovation, and sustainability are embedded within our DNA. If Howdens sounds like the kind of place where you can build and develop your career as a Senior Planning Team Leader, then we’re keen to hear from you.

When you apply for this role, you will need to activate your account. Please check your email carefully to ensure that you have completed this step. We are unable to view your application if you have not activated your account.

Howdens is founded on the principle of being Worthwhile for ALL concerned. We’re working hard to ensure we provide an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. We will do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, please email recruitmentteam@howdens.com with the job title and location, and we will be happy to help you. 

 #LI-LH1