Strategy and Planning Assistant

Contechs; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; On-site; GBP 30,000 - GBP 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading firm in strategic planning is seeking a Strategy & Planning Assistant for a 12-month contract in Solihull. This role is pivotal in supporting the Site Strategy & Transformation department by managing project controls. Responsibilities include establishing projects in SAP, monitoring expenditures, and providing insights during leadership discussions. Ideal candidates will have strong organizational skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and financial awareness. This position offers an opportunity to engage in strategic planning and project governance.

Qualifications

• Experience of system use and understanding of data.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proactive and structured approach to managing tasks and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Set up new projects in SAP and act as first-line approver for orders.
• Monitor all shopping carts and track project spend against budget.
• Attend SIC and MIC meetings, capturing minutes and actions.
• Organise strategic planning meetings and support reviews of project progress.

Skills

Competent in all Microsoft office products

Presentation skills

Strong financial awareness

Excellent organisational skills

High attention to detail

Confident communicator

Proficient in SAP and Excel

Tools

SAP

Excel

Job description

Position Title: Strategy & Planning Assistant

Duration: 12 Month Contract

Location: Solihull

What to Expect:

• The Strategy & Planning Assistant plays a central role in supporting the Site Strategy & Transformation department, with a strong emphasis on project controlling as a core part of the role.
• This position ensures that capital projects are accurately set up, monitored, and governed from approval through to completion.
• The role also provides essential administrative, analytical, and organisational support to strategic forums such as SIC and MIC, helping maintain strong financial discipline and effective project oversight.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

• Be cost/spend conscious
• Set up new projects in SAP and act as the first-line approver for orders raised by project owners
• Monitor all SCs (shopping carts), including value, purpose, timing, and expected invoicing
• Track project spend against budget from initiation to closure, ensuring accurate forecasting and timely updates
• Support capex processes, ensuring compliance with internal standards and cost-conscious decision-making
• Ensure all spend is accounted for, documentation is complete, and reports are updated
• Support leadership team discussions by providing data, insights, and structured updates on project performance.
• Attend Solihull Investment Committee (SIC) and Manufacturing Investment Committee (MIC) meetings, capturing minutes, actions, and decisions
• Organise and support strategic planning meetings, prepare agendas, circulate materials, and ensure follow-up actions are tracked
• Support regular reviews of project progress, risks, and financial performance

Skills:

• Competent in all Microsoft office products
• Experience of system use and understanding of data
• Presentation skills, appropriate to all levels of the organisation and applicable to different cultures; the ability to produce professional presentations with appropriate and carefully targeted messaging
• Strong financial awareness with a cost-conscious mindset
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• High attention to detail, especially in tracking spend, commitments, and documentation
• Confident communicator able to work with project owners, finance, engineering, and leadership teams
• Proactive and structured approach to managing tasks and deadlines
• Comfortable with governance environments and supporting senior-level meetings
• Proficiency in SAP and Excel (or willingness to learn quickly)