Materials Planner

Location: Small Heath

Materials Planner – Small Heath, Birmingham

Hours:

39 per week |

Contract:

Office-based
Industry: Manufacturing / Supply Chain / Production Planning

Are you an experienced Materials Planner, MRP Planner, or Supply Chain Coordinator looking for a new challenge in Birmingham? We are seeking a proactive and highly organised Materials Planner to join our manufacturing operation in Small Heath, Birmingham. This is a critical role ensuring the smooth flow of materials to our production lines and supporting on-time manufacturing performance.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Materials Manager, you will work in a fast-paced production environment, using a computerised MRP system to interpret demand, schedule orders, and maintain material availability. You will be responsible for avoiding production line stoppages, managing supplier performance, and ensuring accurate system data to support effective planning.

This role requires strong communication, excellent organisational skills, and the ability to problem-solve quickly in a dynamic manufacturing setting.

Key Responsibilities

* Analyse MRP reports and automatically generate purchase orders and supplier schedules.

* Ensure suppliers acknowledge orders and commit to on-time delivery.

* Communicate delivery delays and support Production in re-planning activities.

* Review production plans, shortage reports, and material availability to identify risks.

* Maintain optimal stock levels and support reductions in stock valuation and material throughput times.

* Monitor purchase orders due for delivery and ensure on-time performance.

* Chase overdue orders daily escalating urgently when needed.

* Update and maintain the Production Stoppage Report.

* Provide accurate updates and improvement suggestions to the Materials Manager.

* Review and validate supplier recovery plans to secure consistent supply.

* Forward any supplier price changes to the Buyer for re-negotiation.

* Deliver the monthly Materials Budget target.

Training For MRP Systems

* Full training provided on JAVELIN Production Management System.

* Additional external training available where skills gaps exist.

* Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) required.

* Ability to create spreadsheets, graphs, pivot tables;
PowerPoint experience is advantageous.

Key Skills & Competencies

* Excellent verbal and email communication.

* Strong relationship-building and supplier management skills.

* IT-literate with experience in MRP/ERP systems such as SAP, Javelin, or similar.

* Highly organised with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks.

* Flexible attitude with strong determination and resilience.

* Persuasive communicator and confident problem-solver.

* Friendly, outgoing personality; strong team player.

* Ability to thrive in a busy environment (team of 5 within a department of 20).

Experience Required

* Background in materials planning, supply chain, purchasing, or component sourcing.

* Proven experience using an MRP system and interpreting production demand.

* Proactive, motivated individual with strong initiative and rapid learning ability.

* Ability to think quickly and make sound decisions in a fast-moving environment.

INDHP

This vacancy is being advertised by TAY Recruitment (An Employment agency) on behalf of our client. All vacancies are available and correct at the time of posting