EMEA Supply Planner

Job Title: EMEA Supply Planner
Business/Region: Performance Chemicals/Silicates EMEA
Location: Warrington, UK

Summary

Our client utilizes the Integrated Business Management (IBM) system to align supply plans with demand forecasts across both tactical (0-3 month) and strategic (3-24 months) planning horizons. The IBM process consists of a monthly cycle of: Product Management Review, Demand Review, Supply Review, Integrated Reconciliation, and Management Business Review.

This position is critical in the EMEA region, as it owns the supply review step of the IBM process and plays a key role in both the demand review and management business review. Additionally, the role provides connectivity and support for EMEA Silicates local planning.

General Job Description

The Supply Planner acts as the Control Tower for all supply chain activities within both tactical and strategic planning horizons. Additionally, this role serves as the liaison between Sales, Customer Service, and Manufacturing Operations to address customer service issues.

The Supply Planner's main responsibility is to process the demand signal, net it against on-hand inventory, incorporate planned plant constraints, and create the Master Production Schedule (MPS) while adhering to network constraints. This includes managing inventory levels to meet business targets.

Key Responsibilities

• Rough Cut Capacity Plan (RCCP): Develop RCCP to identify capacity constraints or excess capacity, leading a cross-functional team to address capacity issues within the tactical planning horizon.
• Master Production Schedule (MPS): Convert the consensus demand plan into a supply plan for all products and stocking locations.
• Planned Orders: Create and modify planned orders based on the MPS to signal production requirements to Manufacturing.
• Inventory Management: Maintain target inventory levels at warehouses and plant locations to meet customer service standards.
• System Alerts: Review system alerts frequently, develop action plans with key stakeholders, and address issues promptly.
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Review monthly KPIs, identify root causes of variances, and collaborate with stakeholders to implement corrective actions.
• Supply Planning Meeting: Prepare charts and graphs for the monthly Supply Planning Meeting, attend, and follow up on action items.
• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE): Monitor OEE against the MPS, analyze variances, and collaborate with stakeholders for performance improvement.
• Subject Matter Expert (SME): Develop expertise in the planning software and be a resource for best practices.
• Business Policies: Actively contribute to the development and maintenance of Business Policies for the supply side.
• Logistics Coordination: Liaise monthly with Transportation and Warehousing to ensure adequate capacity.
• Direct Material Procurement: Monitor system-generated purchase requisitions and address supplier issues as needed.
• Master Data Management: Maintain key master data in both the system of record and the enterprise planning tool.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the Demand Planner to align plans and resolve issues.
• Reports to: The Demand Planner reports to the COO.

Job Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years of supply chain planning experience, preferably including inventory management.
• Proven ability to perform complex quantitative and statistical analyses, complemented by qualitative inputs from multiple sources.
• Track record of delivering on business objectives, meeting schedules, and maintaining quality standards.
• Strong problem-solving, negotiation, and influencing skills; ability to make critical decisions and build consensus among multiple parties.
• Previous experience with an ERP system.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and reporting software, with competency in MS Word and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with implementing key performance metrics for process improvement.
• Ability to manage multiple, competing priorities effectively.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and leadership skills.
• Strong sense of urgency and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Fluency in English.