JOB PURPOSE / OVERVIEW
- The Material Planner is responsible for ensuring uninterrupted availability of Raw Materials and/or Packaging Materials to support factory operations while balancing inventory, freshness, warehouse capacity, and working capital objectives.
- The role manages material replenishment, supplier coordination, and inbound material flow by working closely with Commercial, Regional Planning, Production Planning, Logistics, suppliers, and logistics partners to secure production continuity.
- The role acts as the key custodian of material planning parameters, inventory policies, and material master data while ensuring compliance with Safety, Quality, and Food Safety standards.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Material Planning & Supply Assurance
- Develop and execute material replenishment plans aligned with factory production plans, regional requirements, and business priorities to ensure consistent material availability.
- Proactively identify and highlight material risks (e.g. shortages, supplier constraints, logistics disruptions) and drive and follow through mitigation actions in collaboration with stakeholders.
- Maintain clear visibility of material coverage, risks, and constraints, enabling proactive decision-making.
- Support continuity of production by ensuring reliable and timely material supply, escalating risks where needed.
- Maintain planning parameters (lead time, MOQ, safety stock, reorder settings) to support stable and efficient supply execution.
Inventory Management & Control
- Manage inventory in line with service level, freshness, warehouse capacity, and working capital targets.·
- Monitor inventory health (excess, obsolete, slow-moving, aging) and propose corrective actions with relevant functions.·
- Execute inventory governance activities including cycle count coordination, stock reconciliation, and issue follow-up.·
- Ensure inventory accuracy by supporting root cause identification and corrective actions.
Supplier & Inbound Flow Coordination
- Partner with APAC commercial and coordinate closely with suppliers, procurement, logistics partners, and warehouse teams to ensure smooth inbound material flow.·
- Track and monitor inbound shipments from supplier dispatch to warehouse receipt, ensuring visibility and timely issue management.·
- Proactively follow up on delays, shortages, or quality issues and support recovery actions to minimize impact.·
- Support supply readiness for NPD, changes, and key business activities.
Cross-functional Collaboration & Execution
- Work closely with Regional Planning, Production Planning, Commercial, Logistics, suppliers, and warehouse teams to ensure smooth material flow.
- Act as the key coordination point for daily material related planning and execution within the factory.
- Drive follow-through of material-related issues and non-conformities until resolution.
Planning Systems & Data Integrity
- Maintain accurate planning master data and system parameters to ensure planning reliability.·
- Ensure timely and accurate system transactions (e.g. PO tracking, confirmations, goods receipt, closing).·
- Act as a key user/supporting user for planning systems, contributing to correct usage and continuous improvement.·
- Support system enhancements, testing, and standardization initiatives.
Continuous Improvement
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to enhance planning efficiency, inventory performance, and service levels.
- Support data analysis and reporting to identify improvement opportunities.
- Participate in planning routines by providing material insights and risk visibility.
Safety, Quality and Food Safety
- Comply with all Safety, Quality, and Food Safety standards and procedures.
- Ensure material planning activities support traceability, compliance, and operational readiness.
- Identify and escalate risks related to safety, quality, or regulatory requirements.
- Participate in site initiatives to support overall factory performance.
CONTEXT AND SCOPE
- Supports factory operations through effective Raw Material and/or Packaging Material availability.
- Works closely with Regional Planning, Production Planning, Commercial, Logistics, suppliers, and logistics partners to ensure uninterrupted material flow.
- Balances material availability, inventory health, freshness, warehouse capacity constraints when making replenishment decisions
- Ensure end-to-end inbound material visibility from supplier dispatch through factory receipt.
- Supports NPD launches, shutdown activities, and supply chain improvement projects.
- Act as a key user for planning systems and support continuous improvement of planning processes
- Ensures compliance with Safety, Quality, Food Safety, and regulatory requirements.
JOB SPECIFICATION / QUALITIFICATION:
1. Education & Professional Qualification
- Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, or related field.
- APICS / CPIM certification is an advantage.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ERP/MRP planning systems is preferred
- Good command of English, both written and verbal.
2. Knowledge / Experience
- Experience in Supply Chain Planning, Material Planning, Logistics, Inventory Management, or related functions is preferred.
- Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Good communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong attention to details and ability to manage multiple priorities
- Team players with a growth mindset and strong sense of ownership.
- Safety, Quality, and Food Safety conscious.
KEY SUPPORTING COMPETENCES
- Plan and Align
- Manage Complexity
- Dealing with Ambiguity
- Attention to Details
- Collaborates
- Drive Results
