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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and manage materials to ensure on-time delivery and optimal inventory levels.
- Company: Join a dynamic manufacturing team in Harlow focused on supply chain excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on customer delivery and operational efficiency in a growing company.
- Qualifications: Experience in materials or demand planning with strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Hands-on role with opportunities for continuous improvement and teamwork.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a proactive and detail-driven Materials / Demand Planner to join our supply chain team at our Harlow manufacturing site. This role is key to ensuring the right levels of materials and finished goods are available to support a growing sales forecast, while helping the business meet its lean manufacturing objectives.
The role
- Balance customer demand, production requirements and inventory levels to ensure on-time delivery, improved stock turns, and reduced inventory holding — without compromising service.
Key responsibilities
- Plan and manage material and finished goods availability in line with sales forecasts.
- Use demand planning and MRP signals to release purchase orders to suppliers.
- Maintain agreed safety stock levels, challenging forecasts where appropriate to avoid over- or under-stocking.
- Manage inventory levels to meet stock holding and availability targets.
- Expedite urgent material or finished goods requirements to support production schedules.
- Monitor and report on supplier delivery performance against plan.
- Manage product changeovers to ensure continuity of supply while minimising obsolescence.
- Maintain accurate item master data, planning parameters and system records.
- Build strong working relationships with suppliers and internal teams (production, sales, operations).
- Contribute to continuous improvement across the supply chain and wider business.
You’ll also
- Escalate risks or challenges early and work with your Line Manager to agree solutions.
- Support wider departmental and business objectives as required.
About you
- Experience in materials planning, demand planning or supply chain planning.
- Strong understanding of forecasting, MRP, inventory management and production planning.
- Analytical, organised and confident working with data and systems.
- Able to manage multiple priorities and respond quickly to changing demand.
- Strong communication skills and comfortable working with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- A collaborative team player with a proactive, problem-solving mindset.
This is a hands-on planning role where you’ll have real influence on customer delivery performance, inventory optimisation and operational efficiency in a growing manufacturing environment.
Materials Planner in Harlow employer: A1 Personnel
Contact Detail:
A1 Personnel Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Materials Planner in Harlow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its supply chain processes. Show them you understand their needs and how you can help optimise their materials planning. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! Be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios related to inventory management or demand planning during interviews. This will showcase your analytical mindset and proactive approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Materials Planner in Harlow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Materials Planner role. Highlight your experience in materials planning, demand planning, and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can contribute to our supply chain team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our needs. Don’t forget to mention your proactive approach and problem-solving mindset – we love that!
Show Off Your Data Skills: Since this role involves working with data and systems, make sure to showcase your analytical skills. Mention any tools or software you’re familiar with, especially those related to forecasting and inventory management. We’re all about optimising operations!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, you’ll get to see more about what we do at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at A1 Personnel
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Materials Planner, you'll be working with data all the time. Brush up on your understanding of forecasting, MRP, and inventory management metrics. Be ready to discuss how you've used these in past roles to improve stock levels or delivery performance.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
This role requires a proactive mindset. Prepare examples of challenges you've faced in materials planning and how you tackled them. Highlight your ability to manage multiple priorities and respond to changing demands effectively.
✨Build Relationships
Strong communication skills are key. Think about times when you've collaborated with suppliers or internal teams. Be prepared to share how you built those relationships and how they contributed to successful outcomes in your previous roles.
✨Continuous Improvement Mindset
The company values continuous improvement, so come armed with ideas! Think about processes you've improved in the past and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to enhancing supply chain efficiency in this new role.
