Material Planner

Pay Rate: £16.00 per hour Location: Desford Job Type: 12-Month Contract (Full-Time)

Working Hours: Full-time onsite. Core hours 08:00 to 15:00, with flexible shift options available (e.g., 07:00–15:00 or 08:00–16:00).

We are seeking an analytical and proactive Material Planner to join our supply chain team in Desford. In this role, you will play a critical part in maintaining material availability, supporting continuous supply chain flow, and delivering exceptional service across multiple manufacturing facilities.

This position offers broad operational visibility and cross-functional exposure, making it an ideal opportunity for a problem-solver who thrives in a dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Supply & Inventory Management: Establish priorities for material needs, manage backorders, expedite/de-expedite orders, and determine alternative supply routes during constraints.

• Customer & Stakeholder Support: Serve as a key point of contact for customer inquiries, build strong global relationships, and resolve supply issues with pace and professionalism.

• Risk Mitigation & Continuous Improvement: Identify potential production risks, conduct root cause and corrective action analyses, and apply a continuous improvement mindset to optimize operations.

• Cost Efficiency: Help minimize premium freight costs and maintain efficient material flow while maintaining high service levels.

• Data & Project Support: Use internal software tools and spreadsheets to track, analyze, and report on inventory, supply risks, and operational performance.

Requirements & Skills

• Experience: Background in supply chain, logistics, manufacturing, FMCG, or a related analytical field.

• Technical Skills: Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (data analysis, lookups) and comfort navigating supply chain software systems. Experience with Power BI, Power Apps, or SQL is a plus.

• Core Competencies: Analytical problem-solving, root cause analysis, and a continuous improvement mindset.

• Communication & Personal Attributes: Strong interpersonal skills, a proactive attitude, a sense of urgency, and the ability to articulate solutions clearly.

• Flexibility: Fully onsite position. Must be open to occasional local travel (up to 10%) if required. PPE will be provided where necessary.