Location: Templecombe, United Kingdom

Thales people provide armed forces customers with operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defence mission systems solutions at land, sea, and air. Our platforms extend across the battlespace including Above and Sonar, Electronic Combat, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems.

Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

Manufacturing Planner

Location: Templecombe

Hours: 4‑day week (Monday–Thursday)

What the role has to offer

• A dynamic, supportive, and collaborative team environment

• Clear career progression pathways, with full training and development provided

• The chance to work on innovative, complex products and programmes within a world‑class defence organisation

Our Opportunity

Under Water Systems (UWS) is dedicated to being the world’s leading provider of underwater sensors and decision‑superiority solutions, helping navies protect our people, our waters and our way of life. Operating across Mine Countermeasures, Anti‑Submarine Warfare, Services and Future Capabilities, we are expanding our capabilities and looking to welcome a Manufacturing Planner to our team. In this role, you’ll work closely with the Master Planner to support seamless production preparation and delivery, contributing directly to the success of our cutting‑edge underwater systems.

In this role, you will:

• Contribute to production planning activities, including defining lead times, cost elements, and procurement/production parameters

• Maintain and manage all parts supply through internal systems

• Ensure materials are available on the shop floor to support ongoing production

• Support forecasting and scheduling activities

• Play a key role in enabling efficient, on‑time manufacturing across the business

About You

You’ll bring a few years of experience —ideally within a manufacturing environment— or eager to learn and kick start a career within Planning. You’re someone who can work independently, stay organised, and take initiative, with the ability to prioritise effectively.

We’re looking for:

• Strong computer literacy

• Able to use MRP systems effectively

• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills

• A collaborative mindset and ability to work well within a team

• Confident stakeholder management

• The ability to build strong, effective relationships with suppliers

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions.  This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment.  If approved by the MOD, a dual national from a non-ITAR country may be considered. 

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years.  In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.

Thales is an equal opportunities employer, and diversity and inclusion are central to our success.

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In line with Thales' Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.

Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles.

Great journeys start here, apply now!