Planner

Role overview

This is a full-time, permanent Planner position based in Norwich. The salary is up to £30,458.75, and the working pattern is 42.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

MPS has supported residents’ homes for more than 25 years. Operating within the Mears Group, the organisation specialises in estate management and property maintenance, delivering services that are shaped around communities and customer needs. Its work covers responsive repairs, planned programmes and cyclical maintenance for more than 100 local authorities and housing providers across the UK.

A major partnership is with Orbit, a large housing provider across the Midlands, East Anglia and the South East, responsible for more than 45,000 homes. Together, MPS and Orbit work to deliver reliable, high-quality repairs and maintenance with a strong focus on safety, resident care and long-term value.

What the role involves

The Planner will join the local repairs team and help ensure that repair jobs are arranged efficiently, allocated correctly and completed on time. This role acts as a central contact point for residents, operatives, subcontractors and internal colleagues, supporting a fast and customer-led repairs service.

• Organise and sequence repair work so operatives and resources are used effectively.
• Manage appointments and job progress through the MCM system.
• Monitor delays and overdue items, helping the team stay on track with KPIs and service targets.
• Work with operatives and subcontractors so jobs are finished on schedule and with the right materials.
• Keep residents informed and handle service updates in a clear and professional way.
• Flag operational problems to the wider team when support or escalation is needed.
• Review workloads and help plan cover for leave, sickness and holidays.
• Assign work to subcontractors and raise material requests in line with procurement rules.
• Use IT tools accurately, including PDAs and subcontractor portals.
• Keep records accurate and up to date across all systems.
• Maintain a courteous, professional and customer-first approach at all times.
• Follow health and safety requirements and company procedures.
• Work closely with colleagues to meet service expectations.
• Support company processes, safeguard company assets and cover for other planners when needed.
• Attend meetings and training sessions as required.

Candidate profile

The ideal applicant will have experience in planning, scheduling or coordination within repairs and maintenance, or in a similar operational setting. The role suits someone who is comfortable in a busy, reactive and service-focused environment.

Strong IT ability is important, especially with job management, scheduling and appointment systems. The successful candidate should also bring excellent organisation, time management and attention to detail, along with clear written and verbal communication skills. A professional, customer-focused manner is essential, particularly when dealing with queries or difficult situations.

An understanding of repairs and maintenance processes is needed, as well as experience scheduling multi-trade repairs using an ICT appointment or job management system.

Working conditions and benefits

• Salary of £30,458.75 per year, with an advertised annual salary of up to £30,458.75.
• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Access to a pension scheme.
• Annual Mears Fun Day as a company-wide thank-you event.
• Paid volunteering leave to support community activity.
• Employee perks through Mears Rewards, including discounts of up to 10% on weekly groceries, holidays, eye test vouchers, a Share Save scheme and other benefits.
• Family-friendly policies.

Eligibility and hiring requirements

Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not offered. The role is also subject to relevant background, identity and security checks before employment begins.

Candidates should hold GCSEs, or an equivalent qualification, in English and Maths.

Additional information

This employer promotes diversity and inclusion and is a Disability Confident employer. It also supports the Armed Forces Covenant and has achieved the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, along with an Endorser Award for the Career Transition Partnership to recognise support for veterans moving into civilian roles.

Applicants may be invited to provide optional background information during the application process to help the organisation understand social mobility and improve opportunities for people from different backgrounds. These questions are voluntary and do not affect eligibility.

For application support, help is available throughout the process. The contact person listed for this opportunity is Francesca Swan at francesca.swan@mearsgroup.co.uk.