Material Planner Job Description

The role of material planner includes responsibility for the supply of materials, from supplier to customer. The work is conducted in teams and in close collaboration with logistics production as well as with operational and strategic purchasing. Let us see in detail the Material Planner Job Description, in the article below –

What is Material Planning?

Material Planning can be defined as the planning and scheduling of the activities of transporting materials such as raw materials, components, semi-finished products and final products between facilities along the supply chain, moving them within the facilities, keeping them waiting, processing or storing them.

What type of materials are needed and at which stage during the processing or assembly of materials in production is determined within the scope of material planning. The amount of raw materials in stocks, the deliveries of open orders and the quantity and lead times for the materials needed are determined within the scope of Material Planning.

The Material Planner is the one who is involved in developing the material flows and ensures that the right raw material is in the right place, at the right time and in the right quantity. The material planner / buyer is the coordinator who has full control over the material flows and who develops good contacts both internally and externally.

What does a Material Planner do?

Material Planner develops, leads, plans and controls material and information flows and production planning.

Material Planner is responsible for planning the purchase of input materials, ie raw materials, packaging and consumables. The work takes place in close collaboration with production planning.

Material planners work includes supplier contacts, contract and supplier follow-up as well as logistics support to customers in the form of call-offs, orders, delivery monitoring and delivery follow-up. Daily communication with customers and suppliers as well as focus on ensuring efficient material flows and increased performance regarding, for example, delivery security. He will be active in investigating and solving material problems that arise and have a process mindset and a proactive approach with responsibility for tasks throughout the supply chain.

Keys tasks include –

* Forecast needs for input materials based on established production plan * Send requisitions to supplier. Monitor and ensure delivery times

* Follow changes in production planning and adjust the material flow

* In collaboration with relevant departments and functions ensure cost-effective material handling and optimized inventory levels

* Stay up to date on production planning and, if necessary, replace regular Production Planners

* Maintain master data in the business system (SAP)

More specifically, you will

Follow up on delivery delays
Responsible for developing and streamlining cooperation with suppliers
Analyse purchase proposals and critical inventory levels
Take steps to ensure inventory availability
Work with large amounts of data to perform in-depth analysis

How to become a Material Planner?

Most employers require the material planner to have education and experience in logistics / material planning. You should be a team player with a good ability to work together and see yourself and your efforts in a larger perspective. You should have good communicative ability in both speech and writing and you realize the importance of good relationships both within your own work team and towards customers and suppliers. You should take responsibility for organizing your work in an efficient way without the quality suffering and have the ability to maintain calm in pressured situations. A prerequisite is that you have knowledge and interest in learning and working in different IT systems. It is an advantage if you have experience of working in the SAP business system.

Salary of a Material Planner

The average annual income of a material planner is somewhere between 8 to 10 lakhs per year. The salary may vary depending on the size of the company and the experience of the employee.

Material Planner Job Description