Head of Work Preparation
Also known as: Planning Manager · Head of Planning Office
Leads the department that prepares and schedules work for production or assembly, owning calculations, material flows and realistic lead times.
The head of work preparation leads planners, estimators and preparation engineers and ensures delivery can start with complete information. Unlike an operations manager, this role does not decide on execution itself but does decide its sequence and preparation. Selection usually focuses on planning software, while negotiating with sales about unrealistic delivery promises determines whether the department keeps control of the order book.
Competencies to measure
These are the behavioural and ability constructs in this profile. Each one shows which hrmforce questionnaire measures it.
| Competencies to measure | Target level | hrmforce instrument | Assessment method | Behavioural anchor at target level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directing and steering people Competency (50-framework): Management Knockout | N4 | Big Fifty, Competency Check, 360 Feedback | Assessment centre | Sets expectations and boundaries per team member, addresses deviating behaviour directly and records agreements in writing. |
| Managing workload pressure Competency (50-framework): Stress resilience | N3 | Big Fifty, Competency Check, Pulse Survey | Structured interview | Cuts or shifts tasks independently when busy on the basis of importance, records this and discusses consequences with clients. |
| Safety awareness Competency (50-framework): Discipline | N3 | Big Fifty, Competency Check | Situational Judgement Test | Recognises unsafe situations in own process, intervenes and addresses colleagues without bringing the work to a halt. |
Short profile
The ten heaviest skills in this profile. The full profile with every skill, behavioural anchor and assessment method is in the download.
| T | Skill | Target level | Weight | Knockout | Assessment method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | Directing and steering people | N4 | 5 | yes | Assessment centre |
| V | Planning and organising | N4 | 5 | yes | Work sample test |
| V | Planning of operational processes | N4 | 5 | yes | Work sample test |
| V | Monitoring progress | N4 | 4 | no | Structured interview |
| V | Capacity and resource planning | N4 | 4 | no | Work sample test |
| K | Technical understanding | N4 | 4 | no | Knowledge test |
| V | conflict handling | N3 | 4 | yes | Assessment centre |
| V | giving feedback | N3 | 4 | no | Assessment centre |
| V | holding others to agreements | N3 | 4 | yes | Assessment centre |
| V | Translating direction into goals | N3 | 4 | no | Structured interview |
See all 28 skills in the full profile
Assessment instruments for this job
Competency Check
Behavioral-Level Competency Assessment
360 Feedback
Multiple assessments based on behavioral anchors
Work sample test
Representative work sample under standardized conditions
Knowledge test (client-specific)
Professional knowledge test, customized for each client
Big Fifty
Personality questionnaire, 150 items, 25 factors
Pulse Survey
Periodic measurement at the team and organizational levels
Development Review
Structured development interview
Ability Scan
Aptitude Test: Verbal, Numerical, and Abstract Reasoning Skills
Conflict Styles
Preferred style in conflict situations
Communication Styles
Preferred communication style
Colour Profile (Jung)
Four color types, linked to Big Fifty factors
Portfolio
Evaluation of prior work against fixed criteria
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