Strategic Materials Manager

Job title: Strategic Materials Manager

Job Location: Gauteng, Johannesburg

Deadline: May 09, 2025

In this role you will be responsible for the Strategic Materials Management function in the market (at NiM level) by:

1. Lead a motivated IMM / MRP Team to continuously ensure availability of all materials used in production (HALB, Raw and Packaging) and long-term visibility on materials requirements.
2. Accountable for the supply of all imported materials as defined.
3. Accountable for the Materials Planning Accuracy for all manufacturing plants in the market & Co-Manufacturers.
4. Collaborate as needed for the optimization of the supply network (including imported shipments) and cost (e.g. selection of proper incoterms).
5. Business Excellence role + Training, development & Learning in MRP.
6. Ensures close collaboration between Factory SC, DSP, Procurement and Suppliers.
7. Establish and manage all health checks and master data for MRP managed materials and IMS materials.
8. Responsible for setting inventory targets for the material classes as defined and driving improvement activities to optimize inventories.

A day in the life of...

Strategic Materials Manager

1. Ensure aligned and efficient MRP process across all factories, from suppliers to factories, ensuring visibility towards both ends.
2. Builds a bridge between DSP – Procurement – Factories.
3. Develop and manage escalation processes effectively, lead problem solving activities related to material shortages.
4. Accountable for the maintenance of the (Planning) Materials Master Data & collaborate with PROC and T&P to ensure the maintenance of other Master Data key for MRP planning for all plants in the market.
5. Accountable for the stock policy and reordering points definition for all plants in the market. Lead and liaise with Factory SC, Procurement and Materials Planning teams towards continuous improvement, proactiveness and dynamic stock policy initiatives.
6. Consolidate volumes / Allocate / Arbitrate as needed between plants for all materials within the market (except for key materials covered by the ATM Strategic Supply lead, if any).
7. Accountable for enabling an efficient MRP and ordering process and use of systems so that MRP planners work on an exception-based approach.
8. Develop and deploy relevant MRP tactical health checks and measures for the Market, as relevant, and ensure current ones are known and used.
9. Facilitating planner & Procurement structured communication way on reviewing suppliers' performance, issues, etc.
10. Coordinates, and/or liaise with Procurement as needed, in case of supplier's escalation.
11. Ensure volumes in VRF are relevant and can be used for MACC / PRISM (challenge and support the MRP planners).
12. Capability building.
13. Contribute to the sourcing and supply risk mitigation strategies with Procurement and ensure alignment with DSP strategies.
14. Event Management: Responsible to ensure smooth supply across multiple plants or scopes in the market (e.g. in case of sourcing change).
15. Track the domestic and import transportation & shipments lead times and factor it into planning parameter policy.
16. Contribute and validate BCPs recommended by Procurement in alignment with the Business.
17. Train, support and coach the MRP planners on Best Practices and Tools.
18. Support any new IT Planning solution initiatives (e.g. OMP in 2025 - as per roll-out plan).
19. Ensure project management principles and alignment of projects among the supply chain.
20. Optimize the costs of raw & pack materials (e.g. decrease waste and bad goods).
21. Anticipate & handle supply issues (identify, communicate and minimize the risks).
22. Review and update suppliers' capacities and flexibility, in collaboration with Procurement and ensure alignment with DSP strategies.
23. Contribute to the career and succession planning of MRP planners, and to the back-up planning in collaboration with the Factory SC Manager.

What will make you successful:

1. Relevant bachelor's degree.
2. 5 years of relevant operational experience at market/business level in at least one of the following areas:
3. Demand & Supply Planning.
4. Procurement.
5. Factory Supply Chain.

Core knowledge of the 10 Principles and expert knowledge in our areas of responsibility:

1. Leading and developing a team of direct reports and resources at factory level.
2. Inbound Material Management.
3. D&SP Processes.
4. Procurement (direct materials sourcing, supplier performance and risk mitigation).
5. Warehouse management for raw & packaging material.
6. Master Production Scheduling and Detailed Production Scheduling.
7. Factory Operations / Quality management / Co-packing or Co-manufacturing.
8. Material and product portfolio (type of demand, seasonality, lifecycle status, shelf life).
9. Working Capital Management.
10. Store Keeping / Procurement jobs.