Strategy & Planning Assistant

Rate: £21.88 - £23.63 per hour UMBRELLA PAYE

Location: Solihull

Contract: Inside IR35

We are currently seeking a for a Strategy & Planning Assistant leading Automotive OEM, based in Solihull.

Job Summary

The Strategy & Planning Assistant will play a key role in supporting the Site Strategy & Transformation department. With a primary focus on project controlling, this position will ensure that capital projects are correctly set up, closely monitored, and effectively governed from initiation through to completion. The role includes administrative, analytical, and organisational support for strategic forums like SIC and MIC, contributing to strong financial discipline and project oversight.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities of the Strategy & Planning Assistant:

• Cost and Spend Management: Maintain strong financial oversight and a cost-conscious approach for capital projects. Set up new projects in SAP and act as the first-line approver for orders raised by project owners. Monitor all Shopping Carts (SCs) ensuring compliance with project budgets, purpose, timing, and invoicing expectations.
• Project Financial Tracking Track project spend against budget throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring accuracy in forecasting and timely financial updates. Support Capex processes, ensuring compliance with internal financial standards. Ensure all project expenditures are accounted for and that documentation is complete.
• Reporting And Analytics Prepare and provide data, insights, and structured updates on project performance for leadership discussions. Support leadership team decision-making by ensuring robust financial tracking and documentation. Assist with regular reviews of project progress, risks, and financial performance.
• Committee And Meeting Support Attend Solihull Investment Committee (SIC) and Manufacturing Investment Committee (MIC) meetings, capturing minutes, actions, and decisions. Organise and support strategic planning meetings, including preparing agendas, circulating materials, and ensuring follow-up actions are tracked.
• Administrative And Organisational Support Support administrative functions related to project governance and strategic planning. Act as a key liaison between project owners, finance teams, engineering teams, and leadership, ensuring smooth communication and project progression. Maintain and update project-related reports, trackers, and documents.

Technical Skills Required Skills and Experience Strategy & Planning Assistant:

• Strong proficiency in SAP and Excel; experience with other financial or project management systems would be an advantage.
• Competent in all Microsoft Office products (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).
• Financial Awareness Strong financial awareness with the ability to manage budgets, track expenses, and make cost-conscious decisions.
• Communication And Presentation Excellent verbal and written communication skills, comfortable interacting with various stakeholders at different levels of the organization. Able to produce professional presentations that target different audiences appropriately and effectively.
• Organisational Skills High attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring deadlines and accuracy. Proactive and structured approach to managing tasks and deadlines.
• Governance And Compliance Familiarity with governance environments, ensuring compliance with internal processes and policies, especially around project setup, monitoring, and financial governance.
• Collaboration And Teamwork Comfortable working in a cross-functional environment with stakeholders in finance, engineering, and leadership teams. Ability to attend meetings, take minutes, capture decisions, and ensure follow-up actions are tracked effectively.

Education & Qualifications Experience in a project-controlled environment and/or familiarity with Capex processes would be beneficial.

If you’re an experienced Strategy & Planning Assistant we’d love to hear from you, please click Apply Now!

Please note, this role is deemed inside of IR35. The Umbrella Pay Rate offered is inclusive of the Assignment pay rate, holiday pay and Apex Recruitments contribution towards Employer Costs.