Planning Manager

📍 St Ives, Cambridgeshire / Hybrid Are you an organised and proactive planner with experience in logistics, temporary infrastructure, events, or operational planning? Do you thrive on coordinating people, equipment, and resources to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and on budget? We're looking for a Planning Manager to join our team, playing a key role in the successful delivery of projects across the UK. Working closely with our Projects, Operations, Warehouse, and HSEQ teams, you'll be responsible for coordinating resources, equipment, stock, transport, and crew requirements to ensure every project runs smoothly from planning through to completion. What You'll Be Doing

• Planning and coordinating resources for allocated projects.
• Reviewing project requirements and developing detailed operational plans.
• Booking plant, equipment, and external hire items as required.
• Supporting crew allocation in line with project budgets and costings.
• Monitoring stock availability and coordinating site-to-site equipment movements.
• Raising purchase orders and tracking budgets through BuildSmart.
• Creating detailed build, loading, delivery, and dismantle schedules.
• Identifying and communicating potential operational challenges and cost implications.
• Supporting the safe and efficient delivery of temporary seating installations across multiple projects. What We're Looking For
• Experience planning resources for temporary infrastructure, events, construction, logistics, or similar operational environments.
• Strong organisational and coordination skills.
• Logistics or warehouse experience with an understanding of efficient delivery processes.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and layouts.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively across multiple teams.
• Experience within the temporary seating or structures industries would be beneficial. This role will involve travel throughout the UK (and possibly Europe) and may occasionally require overnight stays. Therefore, a full UK driving license and valid passport are required. Why Join Arena? At Arena, we deliver world-class temporary infrastructure and event solutions for some of the most prestigious events and venues worldwide. You'll be joining a collaborative team where your expertise will directly contribute to the successful delivery of exciting projects across the UK and beyond. We offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and work-life balance, including:
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Group Personal Pension Scheme
• Health & Wellbeing Programme
• Company Sick Pay
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Helpline
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Long Service Awards
• Performance-related bonus
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Career progression within a growing and ambitious business Apply today and help us deliver exceptional projects from planning through to completion.