At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage material planning to ensure smooth production and inventory control.
- Company: Join Whyte and Mackay, a leading whisky brand with a global presence.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonus, 35 days leave, and family-friendly policies.
- Other info: We value growth potential; apply even if you don't meet every requirement!
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving innovation in the whisky industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in material or supply planning, preferably in manufacturing or FMCG.
The predicted salary is between 31050 - 37950 £ per year.
The Material Planner is responsible for the 4 to 12 week material planning horizon, with primary focus on dry materials availability at SLS and EDC, inventory performance and clear planning decisions.
The role uses demand signals, supplier commitments, system alerts and inventory insight to protect production continuity, manage material risks early and convert risk visibility into appropriate expedite, de-expedite, redeployment, mitigation or escalation actions.
Leads material planning reporting and KPI insight for SLS and EDC dry materials, including the monthly Material Risk pack for Procurement. The role will also implement and lead improved planning processes and ways of working, including RIRO and Finished Goods status management, where these will strengthen inventory control, availability and decision making.
Forward visibility and risk management
- Own and continuously improve the 4 to 12 week material planning horizon, converting forward visibility into timely decisions and controlled actions.
- Lead supplier engagement within the 12 week window to align supply commitments to demand, challenge constraints and escalate risks early to protect production continuity.
- Identify, assess and escalate supply risks, constraints and scenario impacts, with clear recommended actions across expedite, de-expedite, redeployment, mitigation and escalation routes.
Inventory and working capital management
- Own planning visibility, governance and control of dry materials held on site at SLS and EDC, balancing service, lead time and working capital.
- Lead the identification, root-cause analysis and delivery of planning actions to reduce Inventory, SLOB, aged stock and new obsolescence creation.
- Provide Procurement with clear inventory insight, risk analysis and recommended actions to support supplier follow-up and commercial decision making.
KPI ownership, reporting and risk insight
- Own and actively manage material planning KPIs including Days of Supply, SLOB, aged materials, MRA, supplier OTIF and material status governance.
- Own the monthly Material Risk pack for SLS and EDC dry materials, delivering clear analysis and agreed follow-through actions with Procurement.
- Translate data-led insight into clear risk statements, mitigation plans and escalations that protect service, cost and working capital.
Planning Governance, RIRO and Status Management
- Design, implement and embed improved ways of working for NPI RIRO and Dry Goods status management, ensuring these processes strengthen inventory control, availability and decision making.
- Govern Dry Goods status visibility, ensuring blockers, risks and required actions are clear, current and owned by the appropriate stakeholders.
- Act as SO99 key user for Material planning, governing planning parameters, item attributes and system inputs to ensure data is accurate, current and fit for planning decision making.
- Lead SO99 issue resolution and continuous improvement activity, working with Data, Supply Chain and operational stakeholders to improve system use, data quality and planning outputs.
- Drive continuous improvement across planning processes, tools and reporting to improve service, inventory performance, waste reduction and decision quality.
Planning governance and cross-functional engagement
- Represent material planning in Supply Review and S&OP, providing availability, inventory and risk insight that supports business decisions.
- Lead cross-functional resolution of material planning risks with Supply Planning, Production Scheduling, Procurement, Data, NPI and Operations.
Production Continuity & Material Availability at Bottling Partners (CVH)
- Secure dry goods against approved production plans and proactively manage material risks to minimise downtime, last-minute expediting and W/O disruption.
- Lead material availability alignment with bottling partners, ensuring shortages, excesses, variances and corrective actions are visible, owned and closed.
- Govern FG inventory visibility at bottling partners, ensuring stock accuracy, exception management and alignment with central planning decisions.
- Own the weekly stock snapshot process, ensuring shortages, excess stock, variances and corrective actions are identified, governed and followed through to closure.
Skills and experience that will help you be a success:
- Strong material planning, supply planning or production planning knowledge, preferably in a manufacturing, FMCG or drinks environment.
- Good understanding of inventory management, working capital, Days of Supply, SLOB, aged stock, obsolescence prevention and material availability risk.
- Ability to interpret demand, supplier commitments, lead times, MOQ constraints and system alerts, and convert them into clear planning decisions.
- Experience using ERP or planning systems, with SO99+, Tropos or similar systems beneficial.
- Confident analytical capability, including root-cause analysis, trend review, KPI interpretation and clear reporting for decision makers.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to challenge constructively, influence cross-functional decisions and escalate risks clearly.
- Good governance mindset, with attention to data quality, process control, auditability and ownership of agreed actions.
We believe that everyone has the potential for growth in our roles! You may feel you don't tick every box for this role, but if you believe you have relevant experiences that could help you succeed we'd much rather you apply rather than rule yourself out based on any self-limiting beliefs!
Why join us:
We offer a competitive salary, bonus package, life assurance, competitive pension, excellent product allowance, 35 days annual leave, plus enhanced family friendly policies. Our Rewards & Benefits page has further information.
Our application process:
If you like what you’ve read and want to explore this opportunity further, please apply before the closing date listed at the top of the advert. Our team read each and every application, therefore you'll hear back from us in due course.
Candidate guidance on the use of AI in the application and screening process can be found on our career site. Should you require any adjustments to our recruitment process to help you be at your best then please contact us at HRTeam@whyteandmackay.com and we'll do what we can to support.
Material Planner in Grangemouth employer: Whyte & Mackay
Whyte and Mackay is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that celebrates creativity and collaboration within the luxury on-trade sector in London. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, generous bonus structure, and extensive annual leave, alongside opportunities for personal and professional growth through engaging training sessions and brand ambassador roles. Join our passionate team and be part of a company that values its people and invests in their future while working with some of the most prestigious brands in the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Material Planner in Grangemouth
✨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 Whyte & Mackay, 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 Material Planner.
We think you need these skills to ace Material Planner in Grangemouth
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 Whyte & Mackay. 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 Whyte & Mackay 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 Whyte & Mackay
✨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 Whyte & Mackay.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Whyte & Mackay
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Whyte & Mackay 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!
