Materials Planning Manager — Lead Transformation & CI in Huddersfield

Materials Planning Manager — Lead Transformation & CI in Huddersfield

Huddersfield Full-Time 50000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Syngenta Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team in optimising materials planning and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Company: Join Syngenta, a global leader in sustainable agriculture and crop protection.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive benefits package, including generous holidays and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Be part of a proactive and friendly team at the Huddersfield Manufacturing Centre.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on global food security while working in a diverse and inclusive environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience managing teams and proficiency in digital tools required.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.

About Syngenta

At Syngenta Crop Protection, we're pioneering solutions that safeguard global food security while championing sustainable agriculture. As a world market leader headquartered in Switzerland, we empower farmers with innovative crop protection technologies that defend against nature's toughest challenges. We unite advanced science with digital solutions to develop intelligent crop protection that maximizes yields while minimizing environmental impact. Join our mission of revolutionizing plant protection from seed to harvest.

Role Overview

As the Materials Planning Manager, you'll spearhead critical vendor scheduling and Material Handler activities while driving continuous improvement initiatives to optimize plant utilization and enhance customer responsiveness. You'll lead a dynamic team in implementing strategic planning processes that balance operational efficiency with business agility, ultimately reducing fixed costs through smart resource allocation and digital transformation.

Key responsibilities:

  • Lead and coach a team of Materials Planners and Material Handlers on site and align practices with materials scheduling/planning excellence.
  • Enable business-optimized decision making through balanced production schedules, anticipating production constraints and responding quickly to customer demand changes.
  • Optimize resource utilization including equipment, materials, and labour to maximize operational efficiency.
  • Monitor inventory to ensure optimal stock levels.
  • Support the development and maintenance of site material planning capabilities (process, people, systems) to continuously improve agility and asset utilization.
  • Provide regular reporting on key planning metrics including schedule adherence, capacity utilization, and inventory performance.
  • Develop contingency plans to address supply disruptions, equipment failures, or demand fluctuations.
  • Support new product introductions and technology transfers from a materials planning perspective.
  • Support and sometimes lead routine and non-routine waste activities and improvement projects.
  • Drive digital transformation initiatives related to planning systems and tools.
  • Support Known Consignor activities when needed.
  • Deputise for the Site Planning and Logistics Manager when needed.

Qualifications Required skills and experience:

  • Experience of managing diverse teams.
  • Digitally proficient.
  • Some experience of continuous improvement methodologies.

Additional Information

Work Level: 4A. There is 1 open position available for this role. At the Huddersfield Manufacturing Centre we make important Crop Protection products that are used in over 120 countries worldwide. These products help our growers to meet the ever-increasing demand for food, feed and fuel, and our talented & dedicated teams make this possible. The Huddersfield team is proactive, driven, and friendly, with a strong emphasis on diversity, equality & inclusion. We work cross functionally to get the job done!

What We Offer:

  • A culture that celebrates diversity & inclusion, promotes professional development, and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members.
  • Extensive benefits package including a generous pension scheme, bonus scheme, private medical & life insurance.
  • Up to 31.5 days annual holiday plus 8 UK bank holidays.

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Materials Planning Manager — Lead Transformation & CI in Huddersfield employer: Syngenta Group

At Syngenta, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly at our Huddersfield Manufacturing Centre, where a proactive and friendly team thrives in a culture that champions diversity, equality, and inclusion. We offer extensive benefits, including a generous pension scheme, private medical insurance, and up to 31.5 days of annual leave, all while fostering professional development and a healthy work-life balance. Join us in our mission to revolutionise plant protection and enjoy the unique opportunity to lead transformation initiatives in a dynamic environment dedicated to sustainable agriculture.

Syngenta Group

Contact Details:

Syngenta Group Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Materials Planning Manager — Lead Transformation & CI in Huddersfield

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at Syngenta. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching Syngenta’s values and recent projects. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate how your skills align with our mission of sustainable agriculture and innovation.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience in materials planning and continuous improvement can drive results at Syngenta. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Materials Planning Manager — Lead Transformation & CI in Huddersfield

Team Leadership
Vendor Scheduling
Material Handling
Continuous Improvement Methodologies
Operational Efficiency
Resource Utilisation
Inventory Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Materials Planning Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing diverse teams and any continuous improvement methodologies you've used.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about materials planning and how you can contribute to our mission at Syngenta. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the job description.

Showcase Your Digital Proficiency:Since digital transformation is key for this role, mention any relevant tools or systems you've worked with. This will show us that you're ready to drive innovation in our planning processes.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at Syngenta Group

Know Your Materials Planning Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of materials planning and scheduling. Understand the key metrics like inventory performance and capacity utilisation, as these will likely come up in conversation. Being able to discuss how you've optimised resource utilisation in past roles will show you're the right fit for the job.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Materials Planning Manager, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed diverse teams in the past. Think about specific situations where you coached team members or improved team dynamics, as this will demonstrate your ability to lead effectively.

Emphasise Continuous Improvement

Familiarise yourself with continuous improvement methodologies and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in previous roles. Highlight any initiatives you've led that resulted in operational efficiency or cost reduction, as this aligns perfectly with the role's focus on driving transformation.

Be Digital Savvy

Since digital transformation is a key part of this role, make sure you can talk about your experience with planning systems and tools. If you've implemented any digital solutions that enhanced planning processes, share those stories. This will show that you're not just familiar with technology but also know how to leverage it for better outcomes.