The Network Planning Manager is responsible for supporting the Group Head of Operations in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of operational strategy, network planning, inventory management, training, and operational excellence initiatives across the Group.
The role will ensure that the business has the right people, inventory, resources, and operational infrastructure in place to deliver exceptional customer outcomes whilst maintaining efficiency, productivity, and profitability. Through effective planning, performance management, process improvement, and capability development, the Network Planning Manager will drive continuous improvement across all operational functions and support the achievement of the Group’s strategic objectives.
Acting as a key link between Operations, Project Management, Procurement, Sales, Finance & IT teams, the role will create and utilise data, analytics, and best-practice methodologies to optimise network performance, improve inventory control, build organisational capability, and embed a culture of operational excellence.
Network Planning & Optimisation
• Support the development and execution of the Group’s network strategy.
• Analyse network performance and identify opportunities for operational improvements.
• Lead network modelling, optimisation, territory planning, and service area reviews.
• Evaluate operational capacity and recommend changes to support business growth.
• Produce scenario planning and modelling to support strategic decision-making.
Capacity & Demand Planning
• Develop short, medium, and long-term forecasts from our demand planning reports.
• Ensure operational resource plans align with forecasted workloads.
• Monitor capacity utilisation and recommend actions to address risks and constraints.
• Support planning activities into new areas.
• Develop contingency and resilience plans to mitigate operational disruption.
Inventory Management
• Own and continuously improve inventory planning processes across the operation.
• Monitor inventory performance and stock accuracy.
• Work closely with Procurement/Sales to ensure operations are aligned.
• Establish and report on key inventory metrics including stock turns, availability, ageing stock, and forecast accuracy.
• Support warehouse and business strategies to maximise efficiency and service performance.
Performance & Data Analysis
• Develop reporting, dashboards, and performance metrics to measure network and inventory performance.
• Analyse operational, inventory, and financial data to identify trends and opportunities.
• Provide actionable recommendations to the Group Head of Operations and wider leadership team.
• Build business cases for operational improvements and investment opportunities.
Stakeholder Management
• Partner with Operations, Project Management, Procurement, Sales, Finance & IT teams.
• Support the Group Head of Operations in strategic projects and transformation initiatives.
• Present planning recommendations and operational insights to senior stakeholders.
• Drive collaboration across departments to deliver business objectives.
Continuous Improvement
• Lead initiatives to improve planning accuracy, inventory control, and operational efficiency.
• Implement best-practice planning methodologies and governance frameworks.
• Promote a data-led culture of continuous improvement across the operational function.
• Identify and deliver cost-saving opportunities through network and inventory optimisation.
Key Accountabilities
• Network efficiency and utilisation.
• Inventory stock control/accuracy.
• Forecast and capacity planning accuracy.
• Cost-to-serve reduction.
• Inventory working capital optimisation.
• Asset utilisation and productivity improvement.
• Service performance and customer satisfaction.
• Delivery of operational improvement initiatives.
Head Office
Farsound Aviation Limited
Tilbury Road, West Horndon, Brentwood
CM13 3LR, UK
+44 (0)1708 336 780
sales@farsoundaviation.com
