Lead Work Planner
CV-LibraryHaydock, Merseyside, United KingdompermanentPosted: 29 April 2026
Apply NowLead Work Planner
Location: Haydock – Office based with parking on site
Employment type: Full Time Permanent
Working Hours: Monday to Friday
What’s in it for you…
We believe in looking after our people, and it shows. When you join Ipsum, you’re not just taking a job — you’re starting a career with real support behind it.?
20 days annual leave plus bank holidays
Option to buy up to 5 additional holidays
Group Personal Pension Plan
Career development & progression with the opportunity to earn professional qualifications
24/7 access to a virtual GP? and Mental health support & counselling services?
Cycle to Work scheme?
Discount club - supermarkets, phone bills, gyms & more?!
Life assurance cover?
Long service recognition?
Enhanced Maternity Pay
Paid volunteering opportunities in your community?
About the role…
The Lead Operational Work Planner is responsible for planning, coordinating, and optimising drainage maintenance activities across the network. The role ensures work is delivered efficiently, safely, and in line with regulatory and service standards, while supporting the work planners.
The role requires high levels of IT skills as there will be the need to create and distribute management spreadsheets, reports, and plans.
Reporting to the Planning Manager you will be able to confidently manage a busy workload on your own initiative and will adopt a flexible approach to your working day.
As a Lead Work Planner, you will be responsible for…
Planning & Scheduling
Develop short- and medium-term work schedules for drainage operations
Prioritise planned maintenance activities
Allocate resources (teams, vehicles, equipment) efficiently
Ensure work is sequenced to minimise disruption and maximise productivity
Operational Coordination
Act as the link between field teams, supervisors, and management
Monitor daily progress and adjust plans in real time
Coordinate responses when required
Team Leadership
Lead, support and develop work planners
Provide coaching, training, and mentoring
Set planning standards and ensure consistency across the team
Data & Systems Management
Use planning and asset systems (e.g. ILJ, ILA, GIS tools) to schedule and track work
Analyse performance data (KPIs, backlog, response times)
Identify trends and recommend improvements
Compliance & Safety
Ensure all work complies with health & safety regulations and environmental standards
Support risk assessments and method statements (RAMS)
Support permits, traffic management, and access requirements with the wider planning function
Stakeholder Management
Liaise with internal teams (operations, customer, streetworks, commercial)
Coordinate with external supply chain and sub-contractors
Support customer communication for planned works
About you…
Essential
Strong planning/scheduling background
Leadership or supervisory experience
Good knowledge of health & safety practices
Ability to work under pressure as part of a high performing team in a fast-moving environment
Desirable
Experience in drainage, wastewater, or utilities operations
Knowledge of sewer networks and drainage systems
Experience with asset management/planning systems
Understanding of regulatory frameworks (e.g. water industry standards)
Our commitment to Equal Opportunities...
We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences, and we’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Before applying, please review our Privacy Policy to understand how we process your data in line with GDPR.
Next steps...
If you’re interested in this opportunity, please apply or reach out to the Talent Team for more info
Location: Haydock – Office based with parking on site
Employment type: Full Time Permanent
Working Hours: Monday to Friday
What’s in it for you…
We believe in looking after our people, and it shows. When you join Ipsum, you’re not just taking a job — you’re starting a career with real support behind it.?
20 days annual leave plus bank holidays
Option to buy up to 5 additional holidays
Group Personal Pension Plan
Career development & progression with the opportunity to earn professional qualifications
24/7 access to a virtual GP? and Mental health support & counselling services?
Cycle to Work scheme?
Discount club - supermarkets, phone bills, gyms & more?!
Life assurance cover?
Long service recognition?
Enhanced Maternity Pay
Paid volunteering opportunities in your community?
About the role…
The Lead Operational Work Planner is responsible for planning, coordinating, and optimising drainage maintenance activities across the network. The role ensures work is delivered efficiently, safely, and in line with regulatory and service standards, while supporting the work planners.
The role requires high levels of IT skills as there will be the need to create and distribute management spreadsheets, reports, and plans.
Reporting to the Planning Manager you will be able to confidently manage a busy workload on your own initiative and will adopt a flexible approach to your working day.
As a Lead Work Planner, you will be responsible for…
Planning & Scheduling
Develop short- and medium-term work schedules for drainage operations
Prioritise planned maintenance activities
Allocate resources (teams, vehicles, equipment) efficiently
Ensure work is sequenced to minimise disruption and maximise productivity
Operational Coordination
Act as the link between field teams, supervisors, and management
Monitor daily progress and adjust plans in real time
Coordinate responses when required
Team Leadership
Lead, support and develop work planners
Provide coaching, training, and mentoring
Set planning standards and ensure consistency across the team
Data & Systems Management
Use planning and asset systems (e.g. ILJ, ILA, GIS tools) to schedule and track work
Analyse performance data (KPIs, backlog, response times)
Identify trends and recommend improvements
Compliance & Safety
Ensure all work complies with health & safety regulations and environmental standards
Support risk assessments and method statements (RAMS)
Support permits, traffic management, and access requirements with the wider planning function
Stakeholder Management
Liaise with internal teams (operations, customer, streetworks, commercial)
Coordinate with external supply chain and sub-contractors
Support customer communication for planned works
About you…
Essential
Strong planning/scheduling background
Leadership or supervisory experience
Good knowledge of health & safety practices
Ability to work under pressure as part of a high performing team in a fast-moving environment
Desirable
Experience in drainage, wastewater, or utilities operations
Knowledge of sewer networks and drainage systems
Experience with asset management/planning systems
Understanding of regulatory frameworks (e.g. water industry standards)
Our commitment to Equal Opportunities...
We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences, and we’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Before applying, please review our Privacy Policy to understand how we process your data in line with GDPR.
Next steps...
If you’re interested in this opportunity, please apply or reach out to the Talent Team for more info