Materials Planning Manager

Vickerstock are recruiting a Material Planning Manager to lead a global team of buyers and material planners across multiple manufacturing locations.

The Material Planning Manager will oversee material availability and purchase order execution, ensuring supply supports production, aftermarket requirements and new product introductions.

You will align supplier commitments with changing demand and lead the resolution of shortages and delivery issues.

• Lead, coach and develop a global team of buyers and material planners, establishing consistent processes and performance expectations across sites.
• Oversee material planning for production, aftermarket and service parts, aligning supply with demand and operational priorities.
• Work closely with Procurement, Production Planning, Operations and Engineering to strengthen planning processes, improve team performance and maintain continuity of supply.
• Own direct-material purchase order execution, ensuring orders are placed accurately, maintained and followed through to delivery.
• Manage supplier confirmations and order changes, including rescheduling, cancellations, expediting and postponements.
• Lead the escalation and resolution of material shortages, missed supplier commitments and supply disruptions.
• Coordinate material readiness for new product introductions, engineering changes and product transitions with Engineering, Project Management and Procurement.
• Monitor supplier delivery performance and work with Procurement to implement recovery actions and address supply constraints.
• Review demand and supply signals to identify shortages or excess supply, coordinating short- and medium-term adjustments and contingency plans.
• Contribute to supply reviews and Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP), reporting material risks, supplier constraints and mitigation actions.
• Improve ERP/MRP utilisation, planning data and exception management, introducing standard processes, automation and performance dashboards.

• Experience leading material planning or operational buying teams across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Practical experience using ERP/MRP systems to translate demand into material requirements and supplier purchase orders.
• Experience managing purchase order execution, supplier delivery commitments and recovery plans for material shortages.
• Knowledge of production and aftermarket material requirements, including planning for new products and engineering changes.
• Experience analysing supply and demand, identifying constraints and contributing to supply reviews or S&OP.
• A track record of improving planning processes, data accuracy and team performance through standardisation and KPI reporting.
• The Material Planning Manager position combines global team leadership with responsibility for day-to-day supply execution and longer-term planning improvements.