Material Planning Manager

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the creation and implementation of best practice material planning vision, strategy, policies, processes and procedures to aid and improve operational performance
• Ensure that material scheduling strategy and processes are in place and work effectively in order to ensure material supply meets production requirements with optimum inventory level.
• Take ownership of material planning issues that arise, including over or under delivery and take any follow up actions especially in the event of material shortages that affect production.
• Assess volume requirements against planning assumptions and communicate with team to balance the supply and demand.
• Manage inventory risk and ensure that contingency plans are in place.
• Seek and recommend solutions to overcome issues arising in order to meet production/customer requirements and address operational risks
• Design, develop and implement flexible solutions to aid business efficiency, drive process improvements and add value. Support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure that Material Requirements Planning system (MRP/ASCP) in place is effective and that data (Planning Parameter) is accurate and up to date and resolve any issues as required.

People Management

• Manage, coach and develop a high performing team that meets agreed objectives and which delivers best practice results, added value and continuous improvements.
• Set departmental objectives/KPIs and review and assess ongoing performance of direct reports
• Ensure that the function operates in accordance with any health, safety and environmental policies and procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of self, staff and visitors.

Relationship Management

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to forecast, plan and facilitate on-time materials to the production line as and when required avoiding disruption to production.
• Take lead on internal and external relationships to ensure consistent, timely and effective communication regarding material availability.
• Work with cross functional teams to deliver effective solutions
• Liaise with stakeholders on product change request /ECN, review and communicate the impact on material planning and schedules.
• Support new business initiatives and projects and contribute to review meetings and change process. Ensure effective material planning implementation takes place relating to the changes
• Develop and maintain good relationships with suppliers and ensure demand for materials is met and deliveries made on time
• Design, develop and implement processes and work with suppliers on continuous improvement initiatives
• Contribute to supplier meetings and negotiations to ensure demand for materials is met
• Resolve supplier concerns and evaluate supplier performance in conjunction with members of the procurement and quality team.
• Work closely with the procurement team to ensure procurement strategies are maximized.

Skills and Attributes:

• Proven management skills with the ability to optimize team performance and development.
• Highly skilled communicator with the ability to form and maintain good relationships internally and externally
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation and influencing skills
• Results orientated and organized with the ability to plan and deliver against deadlines
• Proven analytical, planning and problem solving skills
• Support, encourage and develop team
• Proactively contribute to creating a good team atmosphere
• Anticipates and overcomes challenges
• Self-starter and able to motivate others
• Flexible and works well under pressure

Qualifications and Experience Levels:

• Relevant degree preferred, B.Tech.  in Mechanical/Electrical/Electronic Engineering.
• 12-15 years’ experience of working in a materials planning/Purchasing role and managing the smooth supply of materials in line with production and customer requirements and, ideally within automotive or manufacturing
• Proven people management skill set
• Expert knowledge and understanding of a variety of manufacturing and automotive processes and components and of supply chain management

 · Experience in handling supplier relationships.

• Good working knowledge and experience of using Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems or similar.
• Experience of delivering results through cross-functional working
• Knowledge of lean techniques is essential.