Operations Planner

We are delighted to announce a major new contract win with Welsh Water, supporting them over the next four years and beyond, delivering proactive and reactive maintenance of their Wastewater Network. 

To support this new framework, we are recruiting an Operations Planner to join our high‑performing team based near Rhyl. If you are driven, organised and passionate about delivering excellent service, this is a fantastic opportunity to build a rewarding career with Lanes Group & Sapphire Utility Solutions, working on an exciting new framework with Welsh Water. 

This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced operational environment, enjoys problem‑solving, and takes pride in delivering a “Right First Time” service.

 
About the role 

Working closely with the Planning Team Leader, Operational Managers, Supervisors and our Field Operatives, you will ensure all work is effectively planned, scheduled and transacted to keep the wastewater network operating smoothly. 

Your key responsibilities will include: 

Operational Planning & Coordination 

• Collaborate closely with Operational Managers and Supervisors to design, organise, and progress work programmes, ensuring all processes are followed and systems are accurately updated. 

• Schedule planned, preventative, and reactive works with a strong “Right First Time” focus, ensuring routes are efficient and field productivity is maximised. 

• Track any operational suspensions or rejected tasks, reallocating additional work promptly to help deliver daily and weekly targets. 
  
  

Customer Service & Communication 

• Respond to customer queries confidently and proactively, taking full ownership and providing clear, timely updates. 

• Participate in planned meetings with both internal teams and external clients, acting as a professional representative of the planning function. 

• Consistently meet client and operational expectations, ensuring all stakeholders remain informed about emerging issues or service impacts. 

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement 

• Develop strong, supportive relationships with field colleagues and operational leaders to maintain smooth day‑to‑day delivery. 

• Assist with ad‑hoc tasks and projects as required by the Planning Team Leader, Planning & Customer Manager, or wider leadership. 
   

Data & Systems Management 

• Ensure all works management systems are updated accurately, promptly, and in line with operational standards. 

• Record and escalate issues, risks, and exceptions appropriately, ensuring full visibility across the team. 

• Prioritise and manage workloads effectively to meet contractual SLAs and operational commitments. 
  
  
  

Team Culture & Contribution 

• Deliver outstanding service to both internal and external customers, upholding our commitment to service excellence. 

• Adopt a positive, solutions‑driven attitude, supporting innovation and embracing operational change. 

Skills, Behaviours and Qualifications 

We are looking for a highly organised and motivated Operations Planner with a strong eye for detail and the ability to thrive in a fast‑paced operational environment. Ideally, you will bring experience within the utilities sector and an understanding of reactive wastewater network maintenance, including repair and survey processes. 

You will be confident using Microsoft Office particularly Excel and comfortable working with scheduling software and planning tools commonly used in water industry contracts, such as SAP. The ability to analyse, validate and interpret operational data is essential to ensure accurate scheduling and effective decision‑making. 

A strong customer focus is key, along with the drive to consistently deliver an excellent experience for internal and external stakeholders. Experience coordinating works that require customer access or traffic management considerations would be highly beneficial. 

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

At Lanes Group Plc, 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.

Benefits

• 24 days holiday


• Pension scheme and death-in-service benefit


• Free car parking

About the Lanes Group:

Lanes Group plc is a leading nationwide utility services provider with over 3,500 dedicated employees. Our diverse subsidiaries drive our success across various sectors, contributing to a remarkable turnover of over £500 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.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from under-represented members of the community. 

Strictly no agencies please