At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage material planning, purchasing, and inventory control for production.
- Company: Join a leading company in the personal care and FMCG sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a focus on teamwork and innovation.
- Why this job: Be a key player in ensuring products are ready for launch and production.
- Qualifications: 2-4 years in materials planning or MRP systems experience required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
To oversee end-to-end material requirements planning (MRP), raw material and packaging purchasing, and inventory control. This role ensures all ingredients (e.g., surfactants, fragrances, active botanicals) and packaging components (e.g., bottles, pumps, cartons) arrive on time to meet production schedules without creating excess inventory or obsolete stock. Additionally, this role will cover for short term production planning during absence.
Key Responsibilities
- Material Requirements Planning (MRP) & Ordering
- Run and maintain the Material Requirements Planning (MRP) plan based on the production schedule and master demand plan.
- Issue Purchase Orders (POs) to suppliers for raw materials and packaging components.
- Manage lead-time variations, order frequency, and Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs) to secure continuous production.
- Track order confirmations, ship dates, and expected deliveries; proactively address supplier delays to prevent production downtime.
- Inventory Control & Optimization
- Maintain optimal inventory levels for Raw Materials (RM) and Packaging Materials (PM) across internal facilities and 3rd party.
- Establish and continuously review safety stock levels, reorder points, and lead times for high-volume or critical materials.
- Lead regular physical stock audits, inventory reconciliations, and scrap/obsolescence tracking.
- Supplier Management & Coordination
- Act as the primary operational contact for suppliers of packaging components and raw ingredients.
- Track supplier performance metrics, focusing on On-Time In-Full (OTIF) delivery, quality defect rates, and lead-time adherence.
- Work with Quality Assurance (QA) to resolve non-conformance issues or rejected component shipments quickly.
- New Product Launches & Packaging Changes
- Order and manage initial runs of new packaging materials and liquid ingredients for new product introductions or seasonal range refreshes.
- Manage component transitions (e.g., label redesigns) to minimise write-offs of old stock.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Material Availability / OTIF: Delivering components to production lines on time and in full.
- Inventory Days of Supply (DOS): Keeping raw and packaging material inventory optimised while avoiding stock-outs.
- Material Scrap & Obsolete Rate: Minimising expired ingredients or scrapped obsolete packaging.
- Purchase Order Accuracy: Ensuring accurate quantities, costs, and delivery dates on all purchase orders.
Candidate Profile & Qualifications
- Experience: 2–4 years as a Materials Planner, Buyer/Planner, or MRP Specialist in personal care, cosmetics, food/beverage, or FMCG.
- Technical Expertise: Direct hands-on experience with MRP/ERP systems (e.g., SAP, NetSuite, Dynamics 365, or similar). Advanced Excel skills (data manipulation, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables).
- Domain Knowledge: Deep understanding of component lead times (especially long-lead pumps, far east suppliers and custom packaging). Familiarity with chemical/batching shelf-life and lot control in a regulated environment.
- Key Attributes: Detail-oriented, highly organized, strong negotiation and communication skills, and resilient in fast-paced operational environments.
Supply Planner in Manchester employer: Faith In Nature
As a Supply Planner at our company, you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive work environment that prioritises employee growth and development. We offer competitive benefits, a collaborative culture, and opportunities to engage in innovative projects that make a real impact in the personal care and FMCG sectors. Join us in our vibrant location, where your contributions will be valued, and you can advance your career while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply Planner in Manchester
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at Faith In Nature, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Supply Planner.
We think you need these skills to ace Supply Planner in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at Faith In Nature. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research Faith In Nature and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Faith In Nature
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at Faith In Nature.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Faith In Nature
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Faith In Nature might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!
