Job Description
We’re hiring: Materials / Demand Planner | Supply Chain | Production Planning | Inventory Management
We’re looking for a proactive and detail-driven Materials / Demand Planner to join our supply chain team at our Harlow manufacturing site. This role is key to ensuring the right levels of materials and finished goods are available to support a growing sales forecast, while helping the business meet its lean manufacturing objectives.
The role:
You’ll balance customer demand, production requirements and inventory levels to ensure on-time delivery, improved stock turns, and reduced inventory holding — without compromising service.
Key responsibilities:
• Plan and manage material and finished goods availability in line with sales forecasts
• Use demand planning and MRP signals to release purchase orders to suppliers
• Maintain agreed safety stock levels, challenging forecasts where appropriate to avoid over- or under-stocking
• Manage inventory levels to meet stock holding and availability targets
• Expedite urgent material or finished goods requirements to support production schedules
• Monitor and report on supplier delivery performance against plan
• Manage product changeovers to ensure continuity of supply while minimising obsolescence
• Maintain accurate item master data, planning parameters and system records
• Build strong working relationships with suppliers and internal teams (production, sales, operations)
• Contribute to continuous improvement across the supply chain and wider business
You’ll also:
• Escalate risks or challenges early and work with your Line Manager to agree solutions
• Support wider departmental and business objectives as required
About you:
• Experience in materials planning, demand planning or supply chain planning
• Strong understanding of forecasting, MRP, inventory management and production planning
• Analytical, organised and confident working with data and systems
• Able to manage multiple priorities and respond quickly to changing demand
• Strong communication skills and comfortable working with suppliers and internal stakeholders
• A collaborative team player with a proactive, problem-solving mindset
Why join us?
This is a hands-on planning role where you’ll have real influence on customer delivery performance, inventory optimisation and operational efficiency in a growing manufacturing environment.