Material Planner

A leading advanced manufacturing organisation in the West Midlands is seeking a Materials Planner / Inventory Controller to join its established Materials team. Operating within a fast-moving production environment, this role plays a critical part in ensuring continuity of supply, maintaining inventory accuracy, and supporting ongoing systems and process improvements.

Reporting to the Materials Team Leader, you will take responsibility for material planning activities using MRP within an ERP system, ensuring that production demand is translated into accurate and timely purchase orders. You will manage a portfolio of suppliers, monitor delivery performance, and proactively address potential supply risks to prevent disruption to manufacturing operations.

This position offers the opportunity to contribute to the continuous development of planning processes and systems, while playing a key role in maintaining data integrity and driving improvements across the materials function.

Key Responsibilities

• Generate and manage purchase orders through MRP in line with production demand

• Review demand signals against lead times, minimum order quantities, and reorder levels

• Ensure supplier acknowledgements align with agreed delivery schedules and commercial terms

• Monitor open orders, expediting where required to maintain on-time delivery

• Identify potential material shortages and escalate risks to avoid production stoppages

• Collaborate closely with Planning to support schedule adjustments and proactive customer communication

• Maintain accurate ERP data to ensure reliable planning and reporting

• Support supplier performance improvement and recovery planning where necessary

• Assist in the control of material spend and support budget adherence

• Contribute to the development and strengthening of inventory control processes

• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives within the materials and supply chain function

Experience and Skills Required

• Proven experience in materials planning, inventory control, or supply chain within a manufacturing environment

• Strong working knowledge of ERP and MRP systems

• Ability to interpret demand reports and translate them into effective purchasing actions

• Experience managing supplier relationships and resolving delivery issues

• Solid understanding of stock control principles, lead times, and material flow

• Confident user of Microsoft Excel, including advanced functions such as Pivot Tables

• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment

• Strong communication and problem-solving skills

• Proactive, resilient, and comfortable working in a dynamic production setting

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced materials professional who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and is looking to play a key role in ensuring operational continuity and supply chain efficiency.