Forecast & Planning Specialist

Role overview

Yorkshire Water is hiring a Forecast & Planning Specialist to join the Performance & Planning team. This position supports the Customer Management Centre by making sure the right staffing levels are in place through accurate forecasting, practical planning and active schedule management, so service targets and customer needs can be met.

The organisation serves more than 5.4 million people across Yorkshire, delivering safe drinking water and wastewater services 24/7, 365 days a year while also supporting communities and protecting the environment. With major investment, new environmental requirements and changing customer expectations, this is a significant time to join the business.

Location and working pattern

The role will begin in Bradford, with a planned move to Leeds Valley Park in September 2026. After the move, the role will be based there. The working model is hybrid, with three days per week in the office and the remainder working from home. Working hours are full time, 37 hours per week, within a Monday to Friday window of 8:00am to 6:00pm.

Pay and benefits

The salary range is £30,693 to £35,754 per year, depending on experience. The package also includes an annual performance-related bonus, an attractive pension arrangement with up to 12% company contribution, development opportunities aligned to the progression plan, 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays and two additional wellness days, and life assurance cover worth four times pensionable salary.

Other benefits mentioned include a choice of health cash plan, critical illness cover, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover, retail savings, an online GP service, cycle-to-work support, gym membership discounts and more.

Key responsibilities

In this role, you will help ensure that the Customer Management Centre has the right resource levels in place by using accurate forecasting and planning.

• Balance staffing capacity against business priorities when producing schedules.
• Monitor changes to plan, identify risks and highlight where service delivery may be affected.
• Work closely with colleagues across the Customer Management Centre to improve the quality of forecasting.
• Build a strong understanding of the customer service operation to support more accurate planning.
• Keep senior stakeholders informed, including Team Managers, Team Leaders and Senior Leaders where needed.
• Manage annual leave and bank holiday leave allocations within the Customer Management Centre.
• Make sure individual leave balances are correct and kept current.
• Maintain accurate operational rotas.
• Recommend improvements to planning and scheduling processes.

Skills and experience needed

You should bring strong analytical capability, the ability to work in a fast-moving environment, and confidence managing your own workload. Clear communication and stakeholder influence are also important, along with a proactive approach to improving processes and delivering efficiencies.

Experience using workforce management tools such as Alvaria or Aspect is preferred, although training can be provided if needed. Good IT skills, especially in Microsoft Office, are also required.

Recruitment checks and additional information

The application should include an up-to-date CV and a covering letter that explains your relevant experience.

If offered the role, you will need to complete pre-employment checks, including a Basic Disclosure Check through a third-party provider before starting. Depending on the role, you may also need Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medical assessments may be required.

The employer states that it is committed to removing barriers in recruitment and can provide reasonable adjustments for applicants with accessibility needs, disabilities or conditions. Candidates should include any such requirements in their application so they can be discussed.

The organisation also notes that it may close the vacancy before the advertised date if necessary, so early applications are encouraged. No agencies should apply.

About the employer

Yorkshire Water provides essential water and wastewater services across the Yorkshire region, supporting public health, community wellbeing and environmental protection.