Buyer​/Planner

Position: Buyer / Planner
Join ICOMAT – Revolutionising the Future of Lightweight Manufacturing!iCOMAT is an advanced manufacturing company that invented Rapid Tow Shearing (RTS) - the only proven technology for producing defect-free curved-fiber composite parts at industrial scale. We deliver the lightest structures possible for aerospace, automotive, defense, and space, at a rate and cost efficiency that far exceeds existing composite production processes.

We build and operate automated factories for composite materials, delivering components to Tier 1 suppliers and OEMs. The business has three main divisions: development of automated production machines, development of software design and production tools, and operation of the factory. We work with 25+ customers and completed the largest ever Series A in composites manufacturing to fuel a significant scale-up, with growth plans that will see the business multiply in size over the next two to three years and expand operations into the UK, Europe and the US.The

business has currently more than 130,000 sqm of production capacity with manufacturing facilities in the UK (Gloucester and Swindon) and the US (Dayton, Ohio); a Hardware R&D Centre in Bristol, UK; and a Software R&D Centre in Athens, Greece.

The role:

As Buyer / Planner you own the flow of material and work through Gloucester and Swindon, from customer order to finished part. You buy it, you plan it, you schedule it, and you answer for whether the line has what it needs, when it needs it.

This is a single, joined up role by design. The person who commits to a delivery date is the person who buys the material and raises the works order. You can be based at either Gloucester or Swindon. You will cover both. Expect regular time at the other site, one set of numbers across the two, and no tolerance for one site optimising at the other’s expense.

What will you be doing? Demand, capacity and scheduling

Analyse customer forecasts and production requirements to anticipate material demand and capacity needs across both sites.

Enter customer sales orders, confirm capacity supports the promised delivery date, and raise it internally early with alternatives when it does not.

Own the production schedule for Gloucester and Swindon, sequencing work to make the best use of equipment, labour and tooling.

Monitor work centre capacity in MRP. Flag where extra capacity is needed and where spare capacity can be filled.

Issue the weekly Work to List to Production at each site.

Generate manufacturing Works Orders from MRP and make sure the optimal production method is used when raising them.

Buying and supplier management

Raise material purchase orders in the ERP / MRP system to support demand from MRP.Review and manage the status of open purchase orders to secure on time delivery.

Evaluate current and future demand across both sites to consolidate volume and obtain the best price.

Make sure non MRP items carry the correct requisition sign off before a PO is raised.

Where alternative materials or multiple suppliers exist, select on total value: cost, quality, quantity, delivery and service. Lowest cost only counts if everything else holds.

Help oversee external subcontractors and suppliers on pricing, quality, service, productivity and delivery.

Work with Engineering on procurement requirements for new product introduction.

Inventory and stock control

Hold inventory at the level that keeps the line running without tying up cash or creating waste.

Recommend and maintain min / mid / max levels on purchased components.

Own and optimise the vendor managed inventory process.

Plan, execute and reconcile stock cycle counts at both sites.

Process and reporting

Use our existing supply chain and operational processes, stay current on all activity, and keep the improvements coming.

Report clearly and consistently on schedule adherence, supplier on time delivery, stock accuracy and material risk.

Work across Production, Engineering, Stores, Quality, Finance and Business Development so plans are aligned before they are committed, not after.

Other duties as the business demands. We are scaling, and this job will grow with us.

What do we need from you?

Essential Proven…