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Merlin Entertainments • Staffordshire-Stoke-on-Trent, ST10 4DB, UK

Operations Planner

Employment type:  Full time
Salary:  From £28,000 per annum
7.5

/10

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Job Description

What you'll bring to the team

Operations Planner

Location: Alton Towers Resort

Reports to: Senior Planning and Resource Manager

The Role

At Alton Towers Resort, no two days are the same — and that’s where you come in.

We’re looking for an Operations Planner to play a pivotal role in delivering seamless, efficient workforce planning across the resort. Working closely with operational leaders and support teams, you’ll ensure the right people are in the right place at the right time, supporting exceptional guest experiences while driving cost efficiency and operational excellence.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a data-driven planner who thrives in a fast-paced, guest-focused environment and enjoys collaborating across teams to make a real impact.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Workforce Planning & Scheduling
  • Create and distribute operational rosters across all resort departments to meet daily requirements
  • Schedule front-line teams to ensure appropriate coverage aligned with budgets and operational needs
  • Prepare and consolidate hours reports to support accurate payroll for variable team members
  • Plan and manage break schedules, ensuring efficiency and compliance with labour regulations
  • Resource Management
  • Proactively identify and resolve resourcing challenges to maintain business continuity
  • Work with the People team to trigger recruitment activity based on operational demand
  • Develop contingency plans to manage change and fluctuating demand

Qualifications & Experience

What We’re Looking For

  • Experience & Qualifications
  • Proven experience in workforce planning, scheduling, or resource management
  • Background in a fast-paced, guest-focused environment (hospitality, leisure, attractions preferred)
  • Strong understanding of labour laws, compliance, and workforce planning best practices
  • Experience using scheduling tools and analysing operational data
  • Confident user of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel

Skills & Competencies

  • Strong workforce planning and resource optimisation skills
  • Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in reporting
  • Data-driven, analytical mindset with a focus on efficiency
  • Collaborative approach with strong stakeholder management skills
  • Adaptable and resilient in changing operational environments

If you’re passionate about planning, problem-solving, and helping create unforgettable guest experiences, we’d love to hear from you.

Benefits

Benefits

  • 40% discount off LEGO® sets and products on the online LEGO Store!
  • Merlin Magic Pass: 20 free tickets for you, your family and friends to enjoy all of our Merlin Attractions across the world!
  • 25% discount in Merlin retail shops and restaurants (a brilliant extra treat when you’re using your Magic Pass to visit!)
  • Staff discount codes for Merlin Annual Passes to gift to loved ones!
  • Private pension scheme
  • Life assurance scheme
  • Employee assistance programme
  • Ongoing training & development

Pay Range

Compensation between GBP £28,000.00/Yr.-GBP £28,000.00/Yr.

Company benefits

Annual bonus
Buy or sell annual leave
Charity donation scheme
Cycle to work scheme
Employee assistance programme
Employee discounts – 40% LEGO Discount
Enhanced pension match/contribution
Eye Care Support
Family health insurance
Health insurance
Theme park discounts
Lunch and learns
In house training
Further education support
Open to part time work for some roles

Working at Merlin Entertainments

Company employees:

22,000

Gender diversity (m:f:n-b):

0:52:48

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Australia

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United Kingdom

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