A leading metal manufacturing business is seeking a highly capable Senior Material Planner to oversee material availability, optimise inventory, and ensure seamless production flow across a fast-paced, high-volume environment. This role requires strong analytical capability, excellent stakeholder management, and the ability to work under pressure while maintaining accuracy and control.

The Senior Material Planner will play a key part in driving OTIF performance, improving inventory turns, and ensuring that all raw materials, metals, bought-in components, and consumables are available to support production schedules.

• Develop and maintain material plans aligning with production schedules, capacity plans, and customer demand.
• Ensure the timely availability of raw materials (steel, aluminium, castings, forgings, etc.) and critical components.
• Monitor MRP signals, stock levels, reorder points, and safety stock to maintain optimal inventory.
• Manage short- and long-term material requirements, highlighting shortages or risks early.
• Analyse demand patterns and lead times to refine planning parameters and reduce excess inventory.

• Work closely with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery, resolve issues, and mitigate risks.
• Lead weekly/daily supplier reviews to monitor performance, lead times, and potential bottlenecks.
• Escalate and resolve supply chain issues that threaten production continuity.
• Collaborate with Production, Purchasing, Quality, and Logistics teams to ensure end-to-end supply stability.

• Maintain accurate inventory records and conduct regular stock audits.
• Reduce obsolete/slow-moving materials through proactive planning and root-cause analysis.
• Analyse MRP data, forecasts, and Bill of Materials to ensure alignment and accuracy.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities in planning processes, stock accuracy, and ERP usage.

• Lead root-cause analysis for material shortages or planning failures.
• Support production meetings with clear updates on shortages and recovery plans.
• Drive improvements in OTIF, supplier performance, and inventory turns.
• Support NPI projects with robust material plans, ensuring all components are available for prototype and launch phases.

• Strong experience in material planning within a metal manufacturing, heavy engineering, automotive, or industrial environment.
• Demonstrable experience of working with steel, metal components, castings, or similar materials.
• Advanced understanding of MRP/ERP planning systems (any major system considered).
• Strong Excel capability (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, data analysis).
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

• Experience supporting continuous improvement initiatives (5S, Lean, Kaizen).
• Understanding of machining, fabrication, welding, or metal processing operations.
• Experience in a senior or lead planner position with mentoring responsibilities.

• Highly organised with strong prioritisation ability.
• Comfortable taking ownership and making decisions in pressurised situations.
• Commercially aware with a proactive, problem-solving mindset.
• Confident communicator able to challenge, influence, and drive improvements.

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