Operations Planner

Lanes Group is a leading nationwide utility services provider with c.5000 dedicated employees. Our diverse subsidiaries drive our success across various sectors, contributing to a remarkable turnover of over £650 million. We are committed to excellence and innovation, ensuring we provide industry leading services to our clients and stakeholders. Join us to be part of a dynamic and growing team that values diversity and fosters professional growth.

Department

Sapphire Utility Solutions, a Lanes Group Company specialise in multiple divisions.

Yorkshire Water - WWSA provides essential wastewater services to millions of customers and businesses across Yorkshire. From managing sewerage networks to treating wastewater, protecting the environment, and maintaining reservoirs and catchments.

The Team play a vital role in supporting communities across the region and are committed to sustainability, innovation, and customer service, investing in infrastructure and environmental improvements to create a thriving Yorkshire for generations to come.

Purpose of the role

We’re looking for an Operational Planner to join our fast‑paced and supportive Planning team in Bradford. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys problem‑solving, working with people, and keeping operations running smoothly – all while delivering an excellent experience for our customers.

At Lanes Group, you’ll play a vital role in supporting our field teams, helping us deliver innovative operational solutions for one of our key clients and contributing to their AMP8 objectives.

Working closely with the Planning Team Leader and a team of experienced planners, you’ll be responsible for coordinating and scheduling work for our Field Operatives, ensuring the right job gets to the right person at the right time.

This is a varied and dynamic role where no two days are the same, ideal for someone who thrives in a busy environment and enjoys making decisions that directly impact service delivery.

Key responsibilities

• Plan preventive, planned, and reactive maintenance in line with contractual SLAs, taking a Right First Time approach while maximising productivity and efficient travel routes
• Monitor non‑completions throughout the day and proactively plan top‑up work to meet daily completion targets
• Work closely with supervisors, stores, and field teams to ensure jobs are planned and completed effectively
• Respond to customer enquiries with confidence, taking ownership and seeing issues through to resolution
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with operational colleagues and key stakeholders
• Maintain accurate and timely data within works management systems, ensuring issues are logged, tracked, and escalated where needed
• Support continuous improvement by improving data quality and identifying opportunities to enhance planning and scheduling processes
• Take part in internal and external meetings and contribute positively to team discussions and change initiatives

Key Requirements

Skills and experience

• Experience in a planning or scheduling role, preferably within utilities or a similar operational environment
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities at pace
• Confidence making decisions in time‑pressured situations
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
• Clear communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders

Desirable

• Experience in reactive wastewater network maintenance
• Scheduling software
• Customer access planning
• Traffic management

Living the Company Values

By embedding our companies core values and purpose into each role, ensures that every employee, regardless of their role or level, understands how their individual development and contributions align with our purpose of ‘improving today for a better tomorrow’.

Each role and value has an alignment to set proficiency levels and expectations; this role holder is expected to

• Leading: Acts as a role model, shaping the learning agenda and influencing change.
• Agile: Anticipates learning needs, adjusts quickly to changing operational contexts.
• Nurturing: Supports the development of others through coaching and structured development plans.
• Engaging: Inspires and motivates learners, builds trust and credibility
• Safe & Secure: Ensures all learning is aligned to safety and compliance standards.

Your Contribution to the company

• Strive to be always positive and constructive
• Adhere to all company policies
• Straight talking about the facts of the situation – open discussions are the best way to find solutions
• Help others through communicating clearly
• Deliver on commitments
• Ensure that any ideas that may enhance the productivity or systems of the company are brought to the attention of Senior Management, or your colleagues
• Deliver our Company Values understanding that by working together in unity we are ‘Stronger Together’

Equality, Diversion & Inclusion

At Lanes Group, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. We believe that our differences make us stronger and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. Join us in our commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse world.