About this role
Job Description:
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