Material Planner

Job Summary

The Material Planner is responsible for ensuring the uninterrupted availability of raw materials required to support production in the Closures Factory. The role is accountable for material planning inventory optimization supplier coordination and executing MRP activities to achieve high service levels while maintaining optimal inventory levels. The Material Planner will work closely with Central Teams Production Planning Manufacturing Warehouse Quality and suppliers to support customer demand and business objectives.

What you will do

As a Material Planner you will:

1. Material Planning & Inventory Management
Plan and manage material requirements based on production plans forecasts and customer demand.
Execute MRP runs and review planning signals exception messages and replenishment recommendations.
Ensure continuous material availability to support production schedules.
Monitor inventory levels and maintain optimal stock safety stock and reorder parameters.
Identify and mitigate material shortages and excess inventory risks.
Support inventory reduction initiatives while maintaining target service levels.
Analyze slow-moving obsolete and excess inventory and propose corrective Responsibilities
2. Production Support
Collaborate with Production Planners to align material availability with production requirements.
Monitor critical materials and proactively communicate supply risks.
Support new product launches artwork changes and material phase-in/phase-out activities.
Coordinate material allocation during supply constraints.
3. Supplier coordination
Coordinate with Procurement and suppliers to ensure timely material deliveries.
Review supplier commitments and expedite deliveries when required.
Escalate supply issues and develop recovery plans with suppliers.
Participate in supplier performance reviews.
4. Raw Material Claim Management
Coordinate and manage supplier claims related to raw material quality quantity and delivery discrepancies.
Work closely with Quality Procurement Warehouse and suppliers to investigate material issues and determine root causes.
Track and follow up on claims to ensure timely resolution and recovery of costs where applicable.
Monitor the impact of blocked or rejected materials on production and implement mitigation plans.
Maintain accurate records of claims investigations and supplier responses.
Participate in supplier performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce recurring material issues.
5. System and data management
Maintain accurate planning parameters and master data within ERP systems (SAP preferred).
Review and optimize procurement lead times lot sizes safety stock and reorder points.
Ensure data integrity for material planning processes.
Support continuous improvement projects related to planning and inventory management
6. Reporting & Analysis
Prepare and analyze inventory and material planning reports.
Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and recommend improvement actions.
Conduct root-cause analysis for stock-outs excess inventory and planning variances.
Support monthly inventory reviews and cycle count investigations.
7. Continuous Improvement
Drive efficiency improvements in material planning processes.
Participate in WCM activities S&OP and inventory optimization initiatives.
Support digitalization and automation projects within planning activities.

We believe you have

Education
Bachelors degree in supply chain management Logistics Business administration Industrial Engineering or related field
Experience
35 years of experience in Material Planning Supply Planning Production Planning or Supply Chain Operations.
Experience in a manufacturing environment is required.
Experience in plastics packaging closures or process manufacturing is an advantage
Technical skills
Strong knowledge of MRP and inventory management principles.
Experience with ERP systems preferably SAP.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (Pivot Tables XLOOKUP Power Query data analysis).
Understanding supply chain planning processes and inventory optimization techniques.
Knowledge of forecasting and replenishment concepts.
Competency
Planning Material Requirements (MRP)
Inventory Control
Supply Planning
Demand Analysis
Data Analytics
ERP Systems (SAP)

Behavioral Competencies
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Attention to detail
Effective communication and stakeholder management
Proactive and results-oriented mindset
Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities
Teamwork and cross-functional collaboration