VHR is partnering with a leading manufacturing and assembly organisation in the UAE to recruit an experienced Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) & Master Scheduling Manager.

This is a key supply chain leadership role responsible for driving integrated business planning, demand and capacity alignment, master scheduling, and inventory optimisation across a complex manufacturing environment.

The successful candidate will own the site's mid and long-term planning processes, ensuring alignment between customer demand, production capacity, material availability, and operational performance.

Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)

• Lead and manage the monthly S&OP process, ensuring alignment across supply chain, operations, engineering and commercial stakeholders.
• Facilitate S&OP review meetings and ensure effective governance across the planning cycle.
• Challenge demand assumptions and support robust decision-making through scenario planning and risk analysis.
• Align production and supply plans with engineering programmes, new product introductions and programme changes.
• Develop finite supply plans based on demand forecasts, production capacity and operational constraints.

Supply & Capacity Planning

• Evaluate mid and long-term capacity requirements and develop workforce and resource plans to support business demand.
• Identify production bottlenecks and capacity constraints before they impact delivery performance.
• Work closely with operations teams to establish effective load balancing and capacity optimisation strategies.

Master Scheduling

• Create, maintain and manage the Master Production Schedule (MPS) across manufacturing and assembly operations.
• Drive MRP signals through the ERP system to support material planning and production execution.
• Facilitate weekly planning reviews with cross-functional teams to monitor performance and implement corrective actions.
• Develop recovery plans and "what-if" scenarios to mitigate schedule risks and improve delivery performance.

Inventory & Process Improvement

• Manage inventory forecasting processes and support financial planning cycles.
• Lead inventory optimisation initiatives and improve planning parameters within ERP systems.
• Analyse demand variability and recommend appropriate inventory and safety stock strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement, process standardisation and digital transformation initiatives within the planning function.

Essential

• Minimum 5 years' experience leading S&OP, Integrated Business Planning or Master Scheduling activities within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience with ERP/MRP systems covering production planning and material management.
• Proven track record of improving planning performance, schedule stability and operational delivery metrics.
• Experience in capacity planning, production readiness assessments and recovery planning.
• Strong understanding of Integrated Business Planning and the relationship between operational and financial planning.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly in data analysis and reporting.

Desirable

• APICS / CPIM certification.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D or Six Sigma.
• Strong analytical capabilities with experience translating complex data into business decisions.

• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Ability to work effectively within a matrix organisation.
• High attention to detail and strong analytical thinking.
• Passion for continuous improvement and business transformation.
• Ability to coach and mentor colleagues while driving planning process maturity.
• Results-driven with a proactive and action-oriented approach.