Operations Planning Lead

ABOUT THE ROLE
As an Operations Planning Lead at the company, you will play a vital role in managing and optimizing the planning, scheduling, and coordination of all operational activities. The role ensures that Demand, Production, and Material Planning functions operate at the highest levels of efficiency and effectiveness. The successful candidate will collaborate with Program Management, Supply Chain, Production, and Finance teams to enable smooth operations, optimal resource utilization, and timely delivery of products and services.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, implement, and manage detailed operational plans to support timely production and delivery of products, ensuring alignment with contractual obligations and business requirements.
• Collaborate with Program, Engineering, Procurement, Logistics, and Quality Assurance teams to integrate production and project schedules and optimize resource utilization, including mitigation planning where required.
• Oversee demand forecasting for projects, including materials, labor, and production resources, ensuring sufficient capacity to meet timelines.
• Prepare materials and data for monthly Demand and Operations Planning meetings to facilitate resource allocation decisions.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Program, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing departments.
• Ensure ERP systems (SAP APO/IBP) provide accurate real-time data to support demand fulfillment.
• Align business units with the Master Production Plan to maintain accurate material resource planning (MRP).
• Identify operational risks, including potential supply chain disruptions, and implement contingency plans to maintain project continuity.
• Maintain high-quality, consistent master data to streamline business processes including Plan-to-Produce, Lead-to-Cash, Source-to-Pay, and Design-to-Operate.
• Manage inventory to ensure all components, materials, and subassemblies are available for production, coordinating logistics and delivery schedules.
• Compile and report monthly KPIs using system data across departments.
• Promote lean manufacturing practices, process improvements, and cost-reduction initiatives across operations and supply chain workflows

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 15 years in operations production planning and scheduling across multiple projects, with a proven track record of delivering results.
• Hands-on experience with MRP systems and SAP (preferably SAP APO/IBP).
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Master’s degree preferred).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 15+ years of industry and regional experience in operations planning and scheduling multiple projects.
• Deep expertise in Demand and Operations Planning within a manufacturing or defense environment.

WHY CHOOSE THE COMPANY
Launched in November 2019, the company is one of the world's leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold, and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation. It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to position the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly skilled talent to thrive.

At the company, the real investment goes beyond compensation. Through our dedicated learning academy and digital learning platforms, employees have access to extensive opportunities to develop new skills, deepen their expertise, and advance their careers. Combined with the freedom to innovate, strong career support, and the opportunity to collaborate with world-class talent from across the globe, the company is a place where you can continue to grow, keep learning, and turn ambitious ideas into meaningful outcomes.

Working at the company also comes with a package that genuinely reflects how much we value our people. Salaries are highly competitive and tax-free and, depending on your role and seniority, benefits can include family visas, annual flight tickets, medical insurance for you and your dependents, and education allowances for your children.

CANDIDATE PRIVACY & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
If you feel your skills, experience and potential are a strong match for a role, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement. We are genuinely interested in what you can bring.

Any information you share as part of your candidate profile or job application will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection and privacy regulations.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing workforce. We believe every individual deserves to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity, and our employment decisions reflect that. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

As a global organisation, effective collaboration across international teams is central to how we work, so English proficiency is required for all roles unless otherwise stated in the job posting.

Please note that we do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Any resumes in the absence of a formally executed agreement in place will be deemed the property of the organization, and no placement fees or compensation will be payable in respect of such submissions.