What does a Planner do?
Overseeing the effective running of business plans, a planner is a useful addition to any business looking to complete projects effectively and on time. A town planner works with politicians, communities and businesses to make decisions on how local land should be used. They are responsible for making sure that land is used in a way that benefits everyone.
On the other hand, a production planner is involved in ensuring that production processes within manufacturing companies run smoothly. This involves assessing and analysing the needs of a business and creating a plan to help them meet their production goals.
Some planning work might require office work or it might involve visiting sites or working on a construction site. Where a planner works depends on the nature of their role.
Planner skills and qualifications
As there are many different types of Planner, it is a good idea for employers to specify the skills and qualifications that they believe are relevant to their particular role. There are some skills that planners on the whole benefit from. These include:
- Analytical and logical skills;
- Business management abilities;
- Good communication and delegation skills;
- Being motivated and good at motivating others;
- Being a multitasker;
- Being proficient with computer software related to planning responsibilities;
- Strong budgeting skills and commercial awareness.
Planner experience requirements
There is not usually one route to becoming a planner, and the different steps might depend on the kind of planner employers are looking to hire. They might progress through an apprenticeship with a planner, or work for a construction or production project in a more junior capacity first. A planner might be promoted from being an assistant planner, once they have the right on-the-job experience.
Planner education and training requirements
A Planner might need a degree, certification or other specialist training in order to practice their profession. A construction planner usually needs to complete a Construction Skills Certification Scheme, as the job requires working on a construction site. When hiring a town planner, employers might look for a degree that has provided their candidate with Chartered Town Planning status, or a similar apprenticeship.
Employers might choose to provide on-the-job training to planners. This is so they are able to learn further planning techniques. In a job description, employers might want to offer additional training, especially if their planning duties require specialist skills.
Job description samples for similar positions
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Planner job description FAQs
How can I make my planner job description stand out?
When hiring a planner, be clear about the kind of planner you are looking to hire. If you are looking to hire a town planner or a production planner for instance, it is useful to mention this in the title. Include the duties and responsibilities that the planner will be required to carry out.
Employers can make their job descriptions more enticing to candidates by including information about job perks and pension plans in the description. Mention any qualifications that might set candidates apart, as well as any previous experience in that role.
What should I look for in a planner CV?
When looking through a planner’s CV, consider whether they have the right technical knowledge, experience and qualifications for the role. This might vary depending on the kind of planner you are looking to hire, so bear this in mind while looking through applications.
As planners have to communicate strategies to their entire team, it is useful to look for proven experience of leading teams through projects. Their CV might include references to how they have boosted the productivity of a business, with evidence to back this up. Some planners might include a portfolio as part of their application, giving employers a better indication as to how successful their past projects have been.
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