Central Material Planning Expert

Material PlannerThe Material Planner plays a pivotal role in ensuring timely material availability by analyzing demand, managing inventory and transportation, and coordinating with cross-functional teams to optimize resources and performance.Key Responsibilities:Ensure Timely Availability of Materials: Plan and coordinate the supply of raw materials and purchased components to support uninterrupted production operations.Analyze Demand and Forecast Requirements: Use customer schedules, historical data, ERP systems, and planning tools to anticipate material needs and align supply with production demand.Manage Inventory Levels, Transportation and Boards: Balance inventory targets and cost efficiency by optimizing stock levels and coordinating inbound logistics to meet delivery timelines. Keep the Shipping and Receiving board current with shipment requirements and on-time execution performance tracking to support visibility and high delivery performance.Coordinate with Suppliers: Communicate regularly with suppliers to confirm orders, track shipments, resolve issues, and ensure on-time delivery of materials.Maintain Accurate ERP and MRP Data: Ensure timely and accurate updates in ERP systems and planning tools to reflect material status, order changes, and inventory movements.Mitigate Supply Risks and Prevent Shortages: Identify potential supply chain disruptions and implement proactive measures to avoid material shortages or production delays.Align Planning Activities with Industry Standards and Customer Expectations: Ensure planning activities meet internal policies, industry standards, and customer-specific logistics and delivery expectations.Drive Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Participate in efforts to reduce inventory and transportation costs, improve planning accuracy, and enhance overall supply chain performance.Core Experience:Mandatory:Automotive manufacturing experience, preferably in a Tier 1 supplier environment.Material planning and control in high-volume production settings.Inventory management strategies.Demand analysis and forecast alignment using customer schedules and historical data.Supplier coordination for order confirmation, shipment tracking, and issue resolution.Inbound logistics and transportation planning.Receiving board management for visibility and performance tracking.Compliance with customer-specific logistics and delivery requirements.Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement practices.Optional but Valuable:Experience with Just-In-Time (JIT) and Just-In-Sequence (JIS) logistics.Exposure to E-Kanban, RFID, or digital replenishment systems.Familiarity with web-portals and EDI systems.Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (e.g., Engineering changes, product launch, ramp-ups, aftermarket, or End of Business).Experience with global sourcing or import/export logistics.Participation in cost reduction and inventory optimization initiatives.Functional Competencies:Mandatory:Language: English (proficient); Local Language (proficient).SAP ERP system usage, especially in MM (Materials Management), PP (Production Planning) and WM (Warehouse Management).Advanced Excel skills.MRP execution and exception message handling.Inventory analysis and optimization.Material availability checks and shortage resolution.Statistical analysis for demand variability and safety stock calculation.Problem-solving tools.Understanding of IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 standards.Optional but Valuable:MES system familiarity.Power BI or Tableau for visualizing material flow and inventory KPIs.Project management.Lean Six Sigma tools applied to material flow and planning.Foreign language proficiency for supplier communication and global coordination.Education & Experience:MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field.4–6 years of relevant experience in Material Planning within automotive manufacturing.Behavioral Competencies:Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.Effective communication and collaboration.Results orientation and accountability.Agility in managing dynamic supply and demand conditions.Proficiency in ERP systems and planning tools.