United Utilities
Operations Planning Analyst
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Strategic Planner
About the Role
At United Utilities, our Strategic Planning team plays a vital role in balancing water production, customer demand, and operational resilience. As a Strategic Planner, you’ll leverage data, modelling, and technical expertise to support real-time operational decisions while driving continuous improvements to the systems and processes that underpin our water network.
This is an exciting challenge for someone who enjoys solving complex problems, working with large datasets, and making informed decisions in a fast-paced environment. Whether your background is in utilities, engineering, consultancy, finance, or another analytical discipline, if you excel at turning data into meaningful operational insights, we’d love to hear from you.
Responsibilities
No two days are the same. You’ll combine operational planning with technical analysis to ensure our regional water production systems operate efficiently and effectively. Your key tasks will include:
- Monitoring and optimising regional water production to meet customer demand safely and efficiently.
- Analysing operational data to support timely, evidence-based decision making.
- Acting as a technical specialist for planning and modelling systems, maintaining and continuously improving their performance.
- Developing and enhancing databases, models, spreadsheets, and automated calculations for team-wide use.
- Leading and supporting improvement projects that boost efficiency, resilience, and operational performance.
- Collaborating closely with operational, engineering, and technical teams to resolve complex planning challenges.
- Contributing to the team’s standby rota, supporting decision-making outside normal working hours as required.
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Requirements
We’re looking for someone who thrives on analysing information, solving problems, and making confident decisions. While you needn’t be familiar with our specific systems—we provide full training—you’ll bring the curiosity and analytical talent to excel quickly.
Essential Criteria
- Advanced Excel skills.
- Experience working with large datasets, modelling, or analytical tools.
- The ability to interpret complex information and translate it into practical solutions.
- Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgement under pressure.
- Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to explain technical information to diverse stakeholders.
- A proactive approach to improving processes and identifying innovation opportunities.
A background in utilities, engineering, energy, consultancy, manufacturing, or a data-driven environment is beneficial, though applicable analytical experience is equally valued.
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Standby & Training
After completing a comprehensive training programme (2–4 months), you’ll join the team’s standby rota (currently one week in five). Most on-call support is remote, though occasional on-site attendance may be required if operational circumstances necessitate it.
Essential Application Criteria
When applying, ensure your CV highlights:
- Excel expertise in analysing, modelling, or manipulating complex datasets.
- Examples of using data to influence operational or business decisions.
- Experience improving processes, systems, or reporting.
- Demonstrations of sound decision-making in fast-paced or time-critical environments.
- Evidence of collaborating across teams or stakeholders.
- Prior experience with analytical, modelling, or database systems (if applicable).
Why Join Us?
If you’re naturally inquisitive, enjoy tackling complex operational challenges, and want to make a genuine impact on one of the UK’s largest water networks—we want to hear from you.
Experience in utilities, engineering, energy, consultancy, manufacturing, or data-driven fields is beneficial, but transferable analytical skills are equally valued.
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