Buyer / Planner

A fantastic opportunity has been created within this leading manufacturing organisation for a Buyer / Material Planner to join the purchasing department. The Buyer / Material Planner is responsible for the planning & scheduling of materials in a timely manner to ensure the right parts are available at the right time for production. Using the MRP (Material Requisition Planning) & Pull process management, he/she manages material availability and troubleshoots material availability problems, communicating material supply issues to internal customers.

The Main Responsibilities of the Buyer / Material Planner:

-Manage material replenishment process; review material requirements to support production schedules and avoid expediting

-Lead Lean Materials process improvement initiatives

-Ensures adequate inventory levels to support customer orders

-Drive inventory reduction and cost savings through supplier negotiations

-Participate in developing strategies to improve current supply chain business processes

-Coordinate schedules with outside suppliers and internal operations

-Monitor Kanban, VMI & MRP Ordering system, resize to current demand pattern

-Support the selection, management and development of the material supply base

-Develop effective supplier relationships to achieve company goals to include achieving schedule, reducing material lead times, improving quality, reliable delivery performance and favourable pricing

Skills and experience of the Buyer / Material Planner:

-Degree qualified is preferable
-Experience in purchasing with in a manufacturing environment
-Experience of dealing with a large range of suppliers including international
-Understanding of supplier relationships, contract negotiations, JIT/demand flow.
-In-depth knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, including MRP (preferred Oracle), inventory management, and planning systems.
-Understanding of concepts in a lean manufacturing environment and Kanban, VSM, TPI, Kaizen
-Sub-contract supply and Supplier development experience would be ideal