Full job descriptionA fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Inventory, Planning and Supply Chain Leader to join a small, friendly and supportive manufacturing team based in Ipswich. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, ownership and working closely with colleagues across Production, Supply Chain, Sales and Finance. You’ll play a key part in keeping materials, stock and production planning running smoothly, ensuring customer demand is met and inventory levels are well-controlled.
The role is predominantly focussed on inventory management, production planning and the external supply chain. The role will work closely with the production manager, global service team, research and development. This role will have both a "hands on" requirement as well as managing others, such as buyers.
Your responsibilities will include material scheduling and production planning to ensure customer demand is fulfilled. Leading the Scheduling and release of Work Orders (WO) for "make" items though you may delegate to departments where appropriate, e.g. production manager. With both of these, inventory management is required to ensure we have enough material for production and service and life cycle management of parts for aging products which includes the monitoring of costs and optimising of stock holding. With that, the role will lead, with finance, annual and periodic cycle counts. The role will drive the material pull systems (e.g. Min Max, KanBan, MRP) to ensure that target shipment dates and pull forwards are met, guiding material buyers on the tactical execution.
You will also lead the supply chain team to ensure supplier performance enables our internal processes and requirements to meet customer demand requirements. Identify and support continuous improvement initiatives, particularly regarding supply chain and inventory management initiatives. Coordinate activities with Sales, Warehouse, and Manufacturing personnel to keep all departments informed of potential problems and opportunities. This role will be responsible for defining the suppliers and procuring material for the NPD process as well as working closely with production engineering to ensure new parts are created in ERP. This role will also have responsibility for material cost improvements through PPV projects and being part of VAVE activities as well as working with the current supply chain to mitigate potential increases.
Key Duties
*Scheduling, planning, procuring and monitoring the materials.
*Utilise ERP to pull material, predominantly utilising Lean business pull signal methods such as min max call off reports and Kanban, and, to a lesser extent, MRP triggers.
*Ensure that inventory data is accurate and up to date.
*Analysing data to determine opportunities to improve inventory management and control processes.
*Driving inventory levels against agreed target levels.
*Developing and maintaining good inventory processes to ensure demand for materials is met and deliveries made on time.
*Work with Finance to resolve any material and supply queries.
*Own the Master Parts Data for all parts, involving others as appropriate to update the data in ERP.
*Material cost improvement activities.
*Manging the materials team.
*Other activities to help in the smooth running of the supply chain team.
Benefits
*Free on-site car parking
*25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays
*Healthcare cash plan
*Bonus scheme
*Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
*Access to a staff discount website
*Peer-to-peer recognition platform
*Supportive, close-knit team environment
*Varied role with real ownership
*Opportunity to influence processes and improve planning performance
*Stable, well-established manufacturing business
*Long-term development potential
Requirements
*To have a manufacturing background, with planning and scheduling experience
*Knowledge and experience of using ERP systems (Syspro, SAP, Oracle, Dynamics, Epicor, Sage, etc.)
*Computer literate with SME level of Excel skills
*Exhibit & encourage sense of urgency
*Must be able to make decisions quickly and take risks
*Must be able proactively to contribute to the team
*Able to multi-task, working well under pressure
*Proactive at looking for continuous improvement opportunities
*Strong analytical, planning and problem-solving skills
*Able to work independently to agreed targets and processes
Preferred Experience - Not Essential
*Degree level in a STEM based subject or equivalent
*Relevant professional qualification such as CIPS
*Experience working with scientific products would be beneficial
*SQL – Knowledge of SQL, database querying and integration with Excel
*Good understanding of supply chain processes
*Procurement of direct materials
*Knowledge of lean techniques may be advantageous
Apply now to be considered for this great opportunity and take the next step in your career.
We look forward to hearing from you!