Planning Analyst Undergraduate Placement

Location

Milton Keynes

Closing Date

30th September 2026

Salary

£23,915.49

Contract

12-13months FTC Start dates are usually in June/July

Hybrid working

We want you to get the best out of your placement, so we operate a hybrid policy where undergraduates work in the office 3 days per week. There may be times where you will need to be in more frequently depending on the needs of the business.

Eligibility

To apply for our undergraduate placement scheme, you must be studying for an undergraduate degree that requires a placement year. Master’s students are not eligible for this placement.

Location considerations

Please consider before applying if you live more than 60 minutes away from post code MK15 8HG, that you would need to relocate to either Milton Keynes or be a commutable distance (within 60 minutes).

We’re looking for an undergraduate to join our Operations Planning team as an Planning Analyst Undergraduate. You will have the chance to support workforce planning, scheduling and performance analysis to help Customer Operations meet service levels, backlog predictions and business targets. If you’re eager to kick-start your career, possess a good understanding of workforce planning, scheduling, operational performance and data analysis, and have a genuine passion for the field, we want to hear from you!

What will you be doing?

• Own and manage the Planning mailbox, responding to advisor and manager queries around shifts and holidays.
• Update workforce management systems accurately and support scheduling activity ahead of publishing windows.
• Track planned events, training and investment time, flagging exceptions back to planners and operations.
• Update daily performance summaries in time for performance calls.
• Track outsource provider actual productive hours against agreed targets.
• Create and own a mailbox workload report, including request types and volumes by department, team and individual.
• Identify efficiencies from data analysis and present recommendations to stakeholders.

What are we looking for?

• Currently studying an undergraduate degree that requires a placement year.
• Good understanding of Microsoft Office, with a particular focus on Excel.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to build relationships internally and with outsource providers.
• Excellent attention to detail, organisation and analytical skills.
• Able to make recommendations and decisions using factual information, not opinion.
• Resilient self-starter who can work under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines.
• Interest in operational planning, performance data and meaningful value-adding outputs.

Why apply for an undergraduate placement with VWFS?

Here at VWFS you'll be able to kick start your professional experience in the workplace. We take on 49 undergraduates each year which we find really helps our undergraduates as you all go through the programme, building your knowledge and networks together.

You’ll also benefit from

• A focus on personal development with access to LinkedIn Learning via our ‘Degreed’ platform and a bespoke development programme throughout your placement year delivering personal management, technical and soft skills including building successful relationships, presentation skills, IT skills and data literacy.
• A supportive environment and network of colleagues to help you get your best out of the year - in a recent survey, 100% of our undergraduates said they felt valued and supported.
• The opportunity to work on real life business projects and deliver impact around topics like sustainability.
• Subsidised onsite canteen and coffee shop
• Subsidised onsite restaurant with a range of hot and cold breakfast and lunches.
• Employee Resource Groups supporting an inclusive workplace
• Social gatherings and team events & volunteering opportunities.
• Physical and mental health support with our Onsite Wellbeing Centre

Discretionary benefits include

• Bonus: Discretionary bonus based on both personal and Group company performance (pro-rated)
• Car schemes*: The opportunity to join our popular car scheme plus car insurance cover.
• Pension: Employer pension contribution of 9% (based on employee contribution of 3%). VWFS will pay 6% if employee chooses a 2% employee contribution. From day 1 we provide income protection, life assurance (4x salary), will writing, retail discount vouchers, access to Care Concierge (a service to support carers of adults). Private medical insurance is available following successful completion of probation.

What our recruitment process looks like

• You’ll be invited to complete a Situational Judgement Test. This is a short multiple-choice question set to help us understand how you may approach situations.
• If you pass this stage, you will be invited to complete an online video interview where you will have the opportunity to tell us more about yourself.
• If successful, your last step in the journey is to attend an in-person Assessment Centre at our Milton Keynes office. You’ll also meet some of our managers and our current undergraduates to find out more about a placement year with us.

Please note: Our undergraduate placement roles do not meet the UKVI’s criteria for the skilled worker sponsorship route, therefore we are unable to accept candidates requiring sponsorship for this role.

• More information about car schemes

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