Materials Planner / Materials Planneress

Materials Planner

W Talent is delighted to partner with a leading FMCG manufacturer in Redditch to recruit a Materials Planner to join their supply chain team. This is a fantastic opportunity for an organized and proactive planning professional to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. In this role, you will be instrumental in ensuring that materials are available to meet production demands while maintaining optimal stock levels and supporting operational efficiency.

The Role

As a Materials Planner, you will be responsible for guaranteeing the uninterrupted supply of materials and components to support production schedules. Your collaboration with suppliers and internal stakeholders will be crucial in maintaining stock accuracy, minimizing supply risks, and ensuring operational continuity. This position requires a highly organized individual with strong analytical skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic FMCG environment. You will also contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, driving efficiencies across supply chain and planning processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Schedule the supply of materials and components to meet production demands while maintaining minimum safety stock levels.
• Assess volume requirements against planning assumptions for accurate supply forecasting.
• Manage day-to-day order processing, purchase orders, and supplier delivery scheduling.
• Monitor material availability and proactively manage supply risks to minimize production disruption.
• Escalate and resolve material shortages that could impact production schedules.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying and implementing process enhancements.
• Schedule the supply of bought-in goods, managing import documentation where necessary.
• Utilize systems including Sage, WMS, and supplier portals to maintain accurate and up-to-date planning data.
• Manage stock transfers from external warehouses and oversee associated purchase order activity.
• Support inventory checks and stock validation to maintain high levels of stock accuracy.
• Minimize obsolete stock and reduce business liability through effective stock control.
• Produce regular reports, analysis, and planning updates to support broader business decisions.
• Provide cover for wider planning duties during periods of absence and assist with ad hoc departmental administration.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure timely and complete deliveries.
• Develop effective relationships across internal departments to ensure smooth operational communication.

Key Requirements

• Previous experience in materials planning, supply chain, production planning, or procurement.
• Experience within a fast-paced manufacturing or FMCG environment is highly desirable.
• Strong communication skills to build effective internal and external relationships.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Commercial awareness with an understanding of how supply chain performance impacts costs, production, and customer delivery.
• Highly organized with strong time management skills and the ability to prioritize effectively.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with great attention to detail.
• Self-motivated, resilient, and adaptable to changing business demands.
• Collaborative team player with a proactive and positive approach.
• Competent in using planning and ERP systems such as Sage, WMS, or supplier management portals.

Salary and Benefits Package

• Salary ranging from £30,000-£35,000 DOE
• Company pension scheme
• Annual leave entitlement
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression
• Supportive and collaborative working environment
• Opportunity to join a well-established and growing FMCG manufacturer

Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.