How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Salary: Competitive Salary
Contract Type: Full Time
Working Pattern: Permanent
The Opportunity
Lead NPI Planner
Click here for our Careers & Life at JCB pages
About the Role
The Lead NPI Planner plays a critical role in supporting the successful introduction of new products within JCB Compact Products. This position is responsible for ensuring material availability, managing planning parameters, and coordinating closely with supply chain, procurement, and production teams to deliver seamless product launches.
You will bring strong expertise in materials and production planning within a manufacturing environment, using MRP/ERP systems to balance demand, inventory, and supply. This is a fast-paced, highly analytical role requiring attention to detail, proactive problem-solving, and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
Planning & Forecasting
- Convert demand forecasts, production plans, and sales orders into material requirements
- Maintain MRP parameters including lead times, lot sizes, safety stock, and reorder points
- Balance inventory levels to meet service targets while minimizing excess and obsolete stock
Inventory Control
- Ensure material availability to support uninterrupted production
- Monitor inventory levels, shortages, and slow-moving stock
- Drive stock optimisation initiatives including reduction, write-offs, and rebalancing
Supplier & Purchasing Interface
- Collaborate with procurement to place and expedite purchase orders
- Track supplier performance (OTIF, lead time adherence)
- Resolve supply constraints, shortages, and delivery issues
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Production Support
- Support production schedules by ensuring materials are available at the right time
- Manage schedule changes and assess material impacts
- Participate in daily and weekly production planning reviews
Data Accuracy & Systems
- Maintain accurate BOMs, routings, and item master data
- Use ERP/MRP systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Syteline, IFS) effectively
- Provide clear material availability reporting to stakeholders
Continuous Improvement
- Identify planning inefficiencies and implement process improvements
- Support lean initiatives and inventory reduction programmes
- Proactively identify and mitigate material risks
Suitable Candidates
- Experience in materials planning, production planning, supply chain, or purchasing, ideally within a manufacturing or engineering environment
- Strong understanding of MRP, demand planning, and inventory control principles
- Confidence working with ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Syteline, or IFS
- Strong Excel and data analysis skills, with the ability to interpret BOMs, lead times, and production schedules
- Excellent numeracy and analytical skills, with a keen eye for detail and data accuracy
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Effective communication skills with suppliers, procurement, and production teams
- Proactive, problem-solving mindset and quick response to shortages and supply challenges
- Organised and methodical, with the ability to work under pressure and drive improvements
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Next Steps
Ordinarily, our Resourcing Team reviews and shortlists CVs. If shortlisted, you’ll speak to one of our Recruiters to discuss the role further. Our interview process usually consists of an initial team’s interview followed by an in-person interview. We’ll keep in touch throughout the process but if you have any questions, please get in touch at recruitment@jcb.com.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- 33 days’ holiday
- Access to company pension
- Onsite gym, in-house doctor and dentist
- ULEV car scheme
- JCB Rewards Hub with discounts on high street retailers
- Cycle to Work Scheme
We value diversity and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We’re committed to ensuring our recruitment process is fair and inclusive. If you face any accessibility challenges with your online application and require additional support, you have the option of speaking to a member of our Recruitment Team who can support you to complete an application in an alternative format. If you would benefit from this support, please email recruitment@jcb.com, and a member of the team will be in touch.
Recruitment Agencies: JCB does not accept any speculative approaches to present candidates for advertised vacancies.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location