UK

United Kingdom · Operations · Director/VP (16-20 years)

Director of Planning & Scheduling

Here is the whole job, in plain words. What it is, what you decide, how you're judged, how people get here and where they go next. Then the part no course gives you: twelve AI tutors who learn your work.

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  • Experience bandDirector/VP (16-20 years)
  • Direct reports25-50 reports
  • Reports toVP of Operations
  • UK framework levelUsually a director, accountable for a division and its numbers

Also advertised as Head of Supply Planning · Operations Planning Director · VP of Production Planning

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in what real qualifications cover

Two short quizzes about you

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

GQA Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Construction Site Management GQA Qualifications Limited · Level 6 · covers 1 of 10 standards
GQA Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Construction Site Management (Construction) GQA Qualifications Limited · Level 6 · covers 1 of 10 standards
City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Logistics Operations City & Guilds Limited · Level 3 · covers 1 of 10 standards
GQA PAA\VQ-SET Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Signmaking GQA Qualifications Limited · Level 3 · covers 1 of 10 standards
PIABC Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Wood Machining PIABC Ltd · Level 3 · covers 1 of 10 standards

Matched from the standards this job is measured against: a suggestion, not an official ruling.

The units you would start with

Organising, Controlling and Monitoring Supplies of Materials in the Workplace GQA Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Construction Site Management
Schedule logistics operations to meet customers requirements City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Logistics Operations
Plan and Monitor Production Process in a Signmaking Environment GQA PAA\VQ-SET Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Signmaking
Producing Planed Wood and Wood-based Products in the Workplace NOCN Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Wood Machining (Construction/Sawmilling Extrusion)

The future skills this job leans on

AI Fluency working with AI as a thinking partner
Data Fluency turning numbers into a decision
AI Governance Fluency using AI responsibly
Frontier Fluency the next wave, beyond mainstream AI
Foresight Fluency seeing round the corner
Your Plan Illustration

Built for Director of Planning & Scheduling

4 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

  1. Organising, Controlling and Monitoring Supplies of Materials in the Workplace GQA Qualifications Limited · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 6
  2. Schedule logistics operations to meet customers requirements City & Guilds Limited · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 3
  3. Plan and Monitor Production Process in a Signmaking Environment GQA Qualifications Limited · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 3
  4. Producing Planed Wood and Wood-based Products in the Workplace NOCN · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 2
These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

2AI and this work

Will AI change your work as a Director of Planning & Scheduling?

Nobody can say exactly how. Here is what this job is being asked for next, and where to start.

The new skills this role is being asked for

  • AI Strategy & Governance for Operations
  • Digital Twin & Simulation Leadership
Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

What happens when you start

Next, a free account. We build your Director of Planning & Scheduling plan as you set up, starting with the free Automation Fluency module. No card.

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3What this role really is

This role sets the strategy for how production is planned and scheduled across a business unit, looking years ahead rather than day to day.

4What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

ERP/MRP Systems (e.g., SAP S/4HANA PP/DS, Oracle NetSuite) Strategic

Leading system upgrade/selection projects, defining business requirements for customisation, and governing master data policies across the region to ensure data integrity and system effectiveness. You're the business owner, not the daily user.

Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS) (e.g., Kinaxis RapidResponse, Blue Yonder) Architect

Owning the strategic roadmap for the APS tool, working with vendors to implement new features, and integrating the APS with S&OP and financial planning tools (like Anaplan). You're shaping how we use this technology.

Data Visualization & BI (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) Strategic

Defining the BI strategy for the entire planning function, ensuring data integrity and governance for all reporting, and using dashboards to communicate business unit performance to executives and the board. You're setting the reporting standards.

Spreadsheet Software (Microsoft Excel) Strategic

Auditing and standardising complex financial and operational models built in Excel, understanding their limitations and risks, and making strategic decisions about when to move away from spreadsheet-based planning to more robust systems.

5What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choiceComing in Where you are nowThe step above
Strategic Planning System Selection (e.g., new APS) No involvement, might be asked for data. Provide input on system requirements from a user perspective. Lead the requirements gathering, evaluate vendor solutions, and make recommendations to Director.
Major Inventory Policy Changes (e.g., safety stock targets) Execute calculations based on defined policies. Propose adjustments for specific product lines based on performance data. Analyse impact of policy changes across a product family and recommend adjustments to Master Scheduler.
Business Unit S&OP Plan Approval Provide data on current production status. Highlight potential capacity constraints for specific products. Present detailed capacity plans and risks for a workstream to the Master Scheduler.

6How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.

Perfect Order Performance (POP)
The percentage of orders delivered on time, in full, with no damage, and correct documentation.
Target · Achieve >98% consistently across the business unit.

If we ship 1,000 orders in a month, you'd aim for fewer than 20 that have any issue – whether it's a late delivery, a missing item, or incorrect paperwork. This is a big one for customer satisfaction.

Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC) Reduction
Optimising inventory levels and production lead times to reduce the time it takes to convert investments in inventory into cash from sales.
Target · Reduce CCC by 15 days year-on-year.

If our current CCC is 90 days, you'd be looking to get that down to 75 days by smarter planning, less excess stock, and faster production cycles. This directly impacts our working capital.

Gross Margin Improvement from Operations
The direct contribution of optimised production schedules and inventory management to the overall gross margin of the business unit.
Target · Contribute 0.5% margin point improvement annually.

This isn't about sales price; it's about reducing waste, minimising expedite fees, optimising changeover times, and ensuring we're not sitting on obsolete stock. Every little bit adds up to serious money.

Inventory Accuracy (System vs. Physical)
Ensuring our ERP system reflects the actual physical inventory levels in our warehouses and production lines.
Target · Maintain >99.5% accuracy.

If the system says we have 1,000 units of Component X, we need to physically have 995-1,005 units. Get this wrong, and your schedules are built on sand, leading to costly surprises.

Strategic Influence & Credibility
Being seen as the go-to expert for operational planning, whose input is actively sought and respected by C-suite and cross-functional leadership.
  • You're regularly invited to strategic planning meetings, your recommendations are adopted in major business decisions, and other VPs proactively consult you on new product launches or market expansions. People genuinely listen when you speak about operational realities and opportunities.
Team Development & Talent Pipeline
Building a high-performing planning team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and developing future leaders.
  • Your direct reports are consistently hitting their targets, you have a clear succession plan for key roles, and you're seen as a mentor who genuinely invests in people's careers. We'll look at retention rates for your team and internal promotions.
Risk Mitigation & Resilience
Proactively identifying and mitigating supply chain risks, ensuring business continuity during disruptions.
  • You've got robust contingency plans for major supplier failures or geopolitical events. When a crisis hits (and it will), your team responds calmly and effectively, minimising impact. We'll see evidence of stress-testing your plans and a clear risk register.
Technology Roadmap & Adoption
Defining and driving the strategic roadmap for our planning technology (ERP, APS, BI), ensuring we're using the right tools effectively.
  • You've got a clear, funded plan for system upgrades or new tool implementations. User adoption rates for new planning software are high, and we're seeing measurable ROI from our tech investments. You're not just buying software
  • you're making sure it works for us.

7Would you like it

Both sides. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy
Shaping Organisational Strategy

You'll spend a good chunk of your time in strategic meetings, debating trade-offs, and influencing how the company approaches new markets, product launches, or major capital investments. You'll see your ideas directly impact the company's direction.

Leading the discussion in an S&OP meeting that results in a strategic decision to invest in a new production line to support a 5-year growth plan, based on your planning insights.

Driving Large-Scale Transformation

You'll be leading multi-year programmes to overhaul our planning systems, implement new methodologies (like advanced APS), or redesign our supply chain network. You're building something significant and lasting.

Overseeing the successful implementation of a new APS system across all regional plants, resulting in a measurable improvement in forecast accuracy and inventory turns.

Developing and Empowering Leaders

You'll be coaching your direct reports (the Regional Production Scheduling Managers) to become stronger leaders themselves. You'll delegate significant responsibility, trust their judgment, and celebrate their successes.

Mentoring a manager through a complex regional planning challenge, helping them develop their problem-solving and influencing skills, and seeing them successfully resolve it.

What frustrates people
  • The slow pace of large-scale organisational change, even when everyone agrees it's needed.
  • Dealing with legacy systems and processes that are difficult to integrate or replace.
  • The constant battle to get accurate data from various sources across the business.
  • Having to compromise on 'optimal' plans due to budget constraints or internal politics.
  • Explaining the fundamental principles of supply chain planning to senior leaders who don't quite grasp the complexity.
What this role does not give you
  • Daily, hands-on scheduling work – that's for your team.
  • A quiet, predictable environment where plans never change.
  • The ability to make unilateral decisions without significant stakeholder buy-in.
  • A role where you don't have to deal with difficult people or conflicting agendas.

8Who you work with

This role directly drives the operational P&L for a significant business unit, typically influencing £2M-£10M+ in costs and revenue. You're shaping the entire planning function, which means everything from customer satisfaction and inventory levels to manufacturing efficiency and cash flow. Your decisions have board-level visibility and directly impact our market position and shareholder value.

Inside the business
  • C-Suite (CEO, CFO, CCO)
  • VP of Sales & Marketing
  • VP of Manufacturing
  • Head of Procurement
  • Head of Finance & FP&A
  • Head of Product Development
Outside the business
  • Key Suppliers & Vendors
  • Strategic Customers (for joint planning)
  • Industry Bodies & Consultants
  • Technology Partners (ERP/APS vendors)

9What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

  • Proven track record of leading large-scale operations planning teams (25+ people, including managers) for at least 5 years.
  • Demonstrable experience in defining and implementing multi-year planning strategies that have delivered significant business impact (£M savings or revenue growth).
  • Extensive experience with major ERP (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS) systems, including leading implementation or upgrade projects.
  • Deep understanding and practical application of S&OP/IBP processes at an executive level.
  • Strong financial acumen, including P&L management and working capital optimisation.
  • Experience presenting complex operational strategies and performance to C-suite and/or board members.

10What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

Advanced Analytics & Prescriptive Modelling

Moving beyond descriptive and predictive analytics, you'll need to understand how prescriptive models can recommend optimal actions. This means understanding optimisation algorithms and their application to complex operational problems.

Linear & Non-Linear Optimisation · Heuristics & Metaheuristics · Constraint Programming · Simulation Modelling (Monte Carlo, Discrete Event)

  • This quarter: Review the capabilities of our current APS system's optimisation engines.
  • Next 6 months: Take an online course on optimisation or simulation for supply chain management.
  • Next 12 months: Challenge your team to develop a prescriptive model for a specific operational problem, guiding them on the methodology.
  • Ongoing: Engage with academic research and industry experts on the latest in prescriptive analytics.

Quick win: Ask your team to present how they currently use optimisation within our existing tools and identify areas where we could push for more advanced applications.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Regularly attending executive-level supply chain conferences and industry forums (e.g., Gartner Supply Chain Symposium, CSCMP EDGE).
  • Participating in peer groups or executive networks focused on operations and supply chain leadership.
  • Engaging with academic research and thought leadership in advanced planning and AI in supply chain.
  • Mentoring junior talent within the organisation and externally, sharing your knowledge and experience.

12The rising capability

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

AI Strategy & Governance for Operations

AI isn't just a tool; it's a strategic capability. Competitors are already using AI for predictive planning, autonomous scheduling, and real-time risk assessment. You need to understand how to harness this power responsibly and effectively across our entire planning function.

  • AI Ethics & Bias in Planning
  • Explainable AI (XAI) for Operations
  • AI Model Lifecycle Management
  • Data Privacy & Security for AI in Operations

Digital Twin & Simulation Leadership

Digital twins are becoming critical for simulating complex supply chain scenarios, testing strategic changes, and optimising network design without physical disruption. As a Director, you'll need to lead the adoption and strategic use of this technology.

  • Digital Twin Architecture & Data Integration
  • Scenario Planning & Optimisation
  • Real-time Monitoring & Predictive Analytics
  • Value Realisation from Digital Twins

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • Theory of Constraints (TOC) - Strategic Application
  • Lean Manufacturing & Heijunka - Enterprise-Wide
  • Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) - Executive Leadership
  • Multi-Echelon Inventory Optimisation (MEIO) - Strategic Network Design

14The pathway

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

  1. 1

    Regional Production Scheduling Manager (L5)

    3-5 years

    Skills to master

    • Managing multi-site teams, setting regional planning policies, leading S&OP for a large region, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Consistently exceeding regional planning KPIs (e.g., schedule adherence, inventory turns).
    • Successfully leading significant regional planning technology implementations or upgrades.
    • Demonstrable ability to influence senior cross-functional leaders (e.g., Regional Sales Directors, Plant Managers).
    • Strong track record of developing and mentoring a high-performing team of managers and schedulers.
  2. 2

    Head of Supply Chain Strategy (from a large consultancy)

    2-4 years

    Skills to master

    • Translating strategic business objectives into concrete supply chain initiatives, managing complex programmes, and influencing executive clients.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Leading large-scale supply chain transformation projects for major clients.
    • Proven ability to develop and present strategic recommendations to C-suite level.
    • Deep understanding of various supply chain models and best practices across industries.
    • Experience in managing significant project budgets and diverse project teams.
  3. 3

    Director of Operations (from a smaller, high-growth company)

    3-5 years

    Skills to master

    • Holistic operational leadership, managing rapid scaling, and building foundational processes in a dynamic environment.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully scaled operations during periods of rapid growth.
    • Direct P&L responsibility for a significant operational unit.
    • Experience in setting up and optimising end-to-end operational processes.
    • Strong leadership capabilities across multiple operational functions (e.g., manufacturing, logistics, planning).

15Where this role leads

The long view: This work can lead to a Chief Operations Officer or Chief Supply Chain Officer role, or independent board and consulting work in operations.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how Director of Planning & Scheduling is actually changing.

Where it leads

Roles this leads to

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Organising, Controlling and Monitoring Supplies of Materials in the Workplace, worked against Director of Planning & Scheduling.

Organising, Controlling and Monitoring Supplies of Materials in the Workplace Level 6

Applied to your work in Director of Planning & Scheduling

This unit aims to equip learners with the skills and knowledge to effectively organise, control, and monitor supplies of materials in the workplace. Learners will analyse operational plans, develop delivery schedules, identify standardisation opportunities, and manage supplier relationships. Upon completion, learners will be able to ensure the timely and cost-effective supply of materials to support operational needs.

How the thinking builds
  1. 1 Remember
  2. 2 Understand
  3. 3 Apply
  4. 4 Analyse
  5. 5 Evaluate
  6. 6 Create
An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time.

See Your Progress Grow Illustration
Director of Planning & Scheduling
  • Theory of Constraints (TOC) - Strategic Application
  • Lean Manufacturing & Heijunka - Enterprise-Wide
  • Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) - Executive Leadership
  • Multi-Echelon Inventory Optimisation (MEIO) - Strategic Network Design
This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

16The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

Director of Planning & Scheduling is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. VP of Operations

    3-5 years

    L7 (C-Suite equivalent)

    • Manufacturing Excellence Leadership Driving lean and automation strategies across all plants.
    • Global Logistics & Distribution Strategy Optimising the entire physical flow of goods.
    • Quality Management Systems (QMS) Leadership Ensuring adherence to the highest quality standards.
    • Workforce Planning & Development (Enterprise) Strategic talent management for entire operational workforce.

  2. Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO)

    5-7 years

    L7 (C-Suite)

    • Global Procurement Strategy Overseeing all purchasing and sourcing activities.
    • Supply Chain Finance & Working Capital Optimisation Deep financial management of the entire supply chain.
    • Demand Planning & Forecasting (Global) Leading global demand forecasting processes.
    • Customer Fulfilment & Service Strategy Ensuring exceptional customer experience through supply chain design.
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

As a Director, your time is gold. You're not meant to be buried in spreadsheets or drafting endless emails. Imagine if you could offload the repetitive, data-heavy tasks and focus purely on strategy, leadership, and high-impact decisions. Well, with AI, that's not just a dream – it's already here.

We're not talking about replacing your role; we're talking about augmenting your capabilities. AI tools can handle the grunt work, crunch numbers faster than any human, and even spot patterns you might miss. This frees you up to think bigger, lead better, and drive truly transformative change in our Operations. Here's a glimpse of how AI is already changing the game for Directors in Planning & Scheduling.

Strategic Scenario Modelling

Use an AI co-pilot to generate and evaluate hundreds of complex 'what-if' scenarios for your supply chain strategy in minutes. Factor in everything from new market entry and raw material price fluctuations to geopolitical disruptions and competitor moves. The AI helps you quickly assess risk, opportunity, and the optimal strategic path, giving you robust data for board-level discussions.

Predictive Risk & Resilience Analysis

AI models analyse global data streams (weather, geopolitical news, supplier performance, logistics networks) to predict potential disruptions to your supply chain before they become critical. It can flag a looming port strike, a key supplier's financial distress, or a raw material shortage, allowing you to proactively adjust your multi-year plans and build resilience.

Executive Summary Generation

Instead of spending hours distilling complex S&OP reports or quarterly performance reviews into executive summaries, use an AI agent. It can pull key metrics, identify trends, and draft concise, impactful summaries tailored for the C-suite or board, freeing you up to refine the strategic narrative.

Automated Performance Deep Dives

When a key metric (like Perfect Order Performance) dips, an AI assistant can instantly conduct a deep dive into all underlying data (production, logistics, quality, sales orders). It identifies the most likely root causes and highlights areas for strategic intervention, saving you and your team days of manual investigation.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become a Director of Planning & Scheduling?

Common routes in include Regional Production Scheduling Manager (3-5 years), Head of Supply Chain Strategy (from a large consultancy) (2-4 years) and Director of Operations (from a smaller, high-growth company) (3-5 years). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a Director of Planning & Scheduling progress to?

This role can lead on to VP of Operations (3-5 years) and Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO) (5-7 years), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a Director of Planning & Scheduling?

Increasingly, AI Strategy & Governance for Operations and Digital Twin & Simulation Leadership. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

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17Where to go from here

Other roles at Level 7

Same depth of qualification, different job. Useful if the work appeals but this particular role does not.

 More jobs in operations

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.
If you leave this industry

Strategic planning, operational leadership and supply chain skills transfer across industries. Similar roles exist in retail, consumer goods, automotive, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and technology firms with complex hardware operations.

This role profile is © 2026 Growth Engineering Technologies Ltd. Built from UK occupational standards and regulated qualification data, and written for Zavmo.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Start my free Automation Fluency module What happens next: a free account, then we build your plan as you set up. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.