Material Planner

Position Overview:

The Material Planner is responsible for monitoring and analyzing the supply chain process to ensure the timely availability of necessary materials while improving efficiency, reducing inventory costs, and supporting smooth procurement and production operations. This role plays a key part in aligning material management strategies with organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Material Planning & Forecasting

• Develop and implement material requirement plans based on production schedules and forecasts.
• Analyze demand trends and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure the availability of materials.
• Monitor and maintain safety stock levels to avoid disruptions in production.

Inventory Management

• Optimize inventory levels to balance cost efficiency and material availability.
• Conduct regular inventory audits to ensure data accuracy and reduce excess or obsolete stock.
• Implement strategies to minimize inventory holding costs while maintaining required service levels.

Procurement Coordination

• Collaborate with the procurement team to ensure timely purchasing of materials from suppliers.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to improve delivery schedules and cost negotiations.
• Monitor supplier performance to ensure adherence to quality and delivery standards.

Production Support

• Work closely with production teams to understand material requirements and resolve shortages or delays.
• Develop contingency plans for potential disruptions in the supply chain.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Use ERP and other supply chain tools to analyze material data and create actionable insights.
• Generate regular reports on inventory levels, material costs, and supply chain performance.
• Identify and recommend process improvements to enhance supply chain efficiency.

Collaboration & Communication

• Act as the liaison between procurement, production, and logistics teams.
• Communicate material planning updates and resolve discrepancies promptly.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Inventory Turnover Ratio: Measure the efficiency of inventory management and usage.
• Material Availability Rate: Ensure materials are available to meet production schedules.
• Stock-out Rate: Minimize incidents where materials are unavailable.
• Supplier On-time Delivery Rate: Track supplier adherence to delivery timelines.
• Cost Savings on Procurement: Measure cost reductions achieved through negotiation and process improvements.
• Reduction in Inventory Holding Costs: Assess the success of inventory optimization strategies.
• ERP System Accuracy: Monitor data accuracy in ERP systems to ensure effective planning.
• Lead Time Reduction: Track the time taken to procure and deliver materials.