JOB SPECIFICATION – Supply Chain Planner / Purchasing Specialist
Overview
Our client is a leading organisation within the nutrition and medical device sector, operating a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the northwest region. The site is recognised for its strong culture of operational excellence, automation, safety, training, and continuous improvement.
Primary Function / Objectives
Reporting to the Planning and Purchasing Manager, the successful candidate will be responsible for managing materials planning and ensuring efficient purchasing processes to support production and operational goals. Key responsibilities include:
* Full responsibility for MPS & MRP across raw materials, intermediates, and finished goods.
* Management of the Purchasing function to ensure timely material supply aligned with plant schedules.
* Coordination of the purchasing process and support for New Product Introduction (NPI) activities.
* BOM and Item Master data management.
* Acting as the primary point of contact for the distribution centre, including CRM activities.
* Scenario planning to support operational decision-making.
* Coordination of materials-related aspects of NPIs.
* Collaboration with Supply Chain teams to achieve KPI targets.
* Inventory management and control, including cycle-count processes.
* Liaison with transportation providers regarding deliveries and logistics.
* Scheduling of deliveries while managing warehouse capacity constraints.
* Support and delivery of projects aligned with site and business objectives.
Key Interactions
The role involves regular communication with:
* Cross-functional teams and management at all levels within the site.
* Supply chain, shipping, distribution, and marketing teams across wider operations.
* External suppliers and logistics partners.
Additional Responsibilities
* Coordination of purchased materials to support production while meeting cost and compliance requirements.
* Management of non-inventory purchasing to meet operational needs at optimum total cost of ownership.
Education / Skills / Experience
* Certificate, Diploma, or Degree in a relevant discipline; IPICS / IIPMM / APICS qualifications (or equivalent) desirable.
* Strong computer skills with proficiency in planning and ERP systems.
* Excellent planning, organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
* High attention to detail.
* Minimum of two years' experience in production planning within a manufacturing environment; experience with short shelf-life products is an advantage.
* Strong problem-solving capability in scheduling, logistics, expediting, and purchasing.