Lead Planner, Production Planning I

About the company

Maaden, founded in 1997, is among the world’s fastest-expanding mining businesses and stands as the largest diversified mining and metals group in the Middle East. The organization is advancing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s mining sector with the goal of making it the country’s third economic pillar through a fully integrated, world-class mining value chain.

This opportunity is for a senior planning professional who can help drive Maaden’s growth agenda and strengthen production planning capabilities at its Ras Al Khair site.

Role overview

The Lead Planner for Production Planning is accountable for coordinating and directing production planning activities so that efficiency, product quality, and customer requirements are consistently met. The position plays a central role in executing Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), improving use of people, equipment, and materials, and supporting ongoing improvements in planning performance.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive hands-on production planning experience, strong S&OP exposure, and a recognized supply chain certification such as CPIM or an equivalent qualification.

Key responsibilities

• Steer the S&OP cycle to keep demand forecasts, production capacity, and inventory plans aligned.
• Create and maintain daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules based on forecast demand, available resources, and operational priorities.
• Plan and assign manpower, machinery, and raw materials in a way that improves throughput and reduces delays.
• Review performance indicators such as efficiency, productivity, and downtime, then recommend and implement improvements.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methods to raise output and reduce waste.
• Work closely with sales, supply chain, quality, and logistics teams to ensure production plans support wider business goals.
• Use ERP platforms such as Oracle or SAP, along with analytics tools like Power BI and Tableau, for planning, tracking, and reporting.
• Prepare detailed reports and updates for management covering production results, risks, and corrective actions.
• Ensure planning activities follow company policies, quality requirements, and applicable regulations, while keeping documentation accurate and complete.
• Guide and coach junior planners and contribute to the growth of the planning team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a closely related discipline.
• CPIM (APICS) certification or an equivalent supply chain credential is required.
• At least 9 to 10 years of progressive experience in production planning, with substantial exposure to S&OP in an industrial or manufacturing setting.
• Advanced capability in ERP systems such as Oracle, SAP, or similar platforms.
• Strong command of Excel, including data analysis, Pivot Tables, and Power Query, plus business intelligence tools such as Power BI and Tableau.
• Solid understanding of supply chain fundamentals, inventory control, and production scheduling.
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement approaches.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Clear communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and team coordination experience.
• Well-organized, able to manage time effectively, and capable of performing under pressure.
• Preferred: experience with advanced planning and scheduling systems such as Quintiq.
• Preferred: proven experience leading cross-functional teams and managing change.
• Preferred: background in a large-scale industrial or metals manufacturing environment.

Additional information

Location: Ras Al Khair, Saudi Arabia

Working hours: 8 hours per day

Employment type: Full time

Job post start date: 4/23/2026

Job post end date: 5/7/2026

Key performance indicators

• On-time adherence to production plans
• Efficiency and productivity levels in production
• Accuracy of inventory records and availability of stock
• Effectiveness of the S&OP process and accuracy of forecasts
• Reduction in cost and waste
• Development of team capability and transfer of knowledge