Material Planner / Buyer

Position Summary

The Supply Chain Planner/Buyer will play a critical hybrid role within the Purchasing Department, responsible for ensuring the efficient planning, coordination, and procurement of materials to support production and project needs. This role combines hands-on materials planning with strategic procurement support, enabling the team to operate both efficiently and proactively.

The Planner/Buyer will enhance the team’s ability to manage complex product lines, improve inventory planning, and contribute to project delivery by working cross-functionally with production, engineering, and suppliers. By bringing added bandwidth and focus to the team, this role will directly support the department's ability to identify risks, reduce costs, and improve supply chain resilience.

Job Description

·  Forecast material and component requirements in line with production schedules and project demands

·  Raise and manage purchase orders to ensure timely supply of goods and services

·  Monitor and maintain optimal inventory levels to prevent shortages or excess stock

·  Liaise with Production, Engineering, and other departments to align supply with internal needs

·  Track order progress and resolve any delays or discrepancies with suppliers

·   Support supplier reviews and performance monitoring, including delivery, quality, and cost metrics

·  Assist in cost-saving initiatives and supplier negotiations led by the Purchasing Manager

·  Participate in supply chain risk assessments and support contingency planning

·  Help manage purchasing tasks on key projects including component sourcing and planning support

·  Ensure ERP/MRP data (e.g., lead times, MOQ, safety stock) is maintained accurately

· Work with the Purchasing Manager to ensure smooth daily operations and prioritisation of purchase activity

·  Support the investigation and resolution of supply issues or delivery failures

·  Contribute to continuous improvement of procurement processes and planning methods

· Stay informed on market trends, pricing shifts, and industry developments relevant to materials or suppliers

·  Explore alternate sources for materials.

·  Liaise with Suppliers and Sub-Contractors to ensure the business is aware of changing lead-times

·   Contact suppliers to resolve price, quality, and delivery or invoice issues.

·   Monitor costs, price variances, quality and levels of the supply chain partners.

·   Continuous improvement to add value, reduce costs and support business improvements.

·   Manage correspondence concerning over-shipments, delivery shortages, changes in quantity, delivery dates, prices and reporting such changes to key stakeholders in a timely manner as required.

·  Ensure that key documents are kept up-to-date, and all relevant parties are notified if a risk is identified – including but not limited to Sales forecast planner, Certificate of Conformity register, Quality Tracker, Obsolescence Management, Stock value by product, Price Change Register, Unvouchered Invoicing Report.

·  To perform such other duties commensurate with the position that may be requested from time to time by the Senior Management team.