We are currently looking for a Material Planning Clerk
A Little About Us
With over a century of engineering expertise and innovation, KNDS UK is a renowned world leader in rapidly deployable military bridging systems and a key partner in the UK MoD's Boxer armoured vehicle programme.
We are proud of our heritage and our reputation of providing the highest quality engineering solutions for over 100 years. As a trusted partner to military customers around the world, our employees are the very heart of our company. We have a skilled and experienced workforce dedicated to achieving excellence in all areas of the business from Engineering to Project Management, Business Support to Operations.
About The Role
As our business evolves, we are looking to strengthen our workforce with talented and motivated individuals across a range of disciplines to work from our Northwest Engineering Centre of Excellence and currently have this opportunity available:
The primary purpose of this role is to be responsible for ensuring the seamless, Just-In-Time (JIT) flow of materials into and through our fast-paced manufacturing environment. This role will proactively manage all aspects of material delivery, investigate and resolve discrepancies, and directly contribute to increased vehicle throughput by minimising production delays and supporting efficient assembly processes.
Key Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To
Just-In-Time (JIT) Material Flow Control:
* Monitor, control, and optimize the delivery and flow of all materials to support Just-In-Time production requirements.
* Ensure materials arrive at the correct assembly area upon receipt of material to goods in
* Collaborate closely with production teams to anticipate material requirements and identify potential bottlenecks.
* Collaborate with Warehouse to maintain picking schedule is forecasted accurately to prevent under/over picking.
* Implement and manage internal pull systems for material replenishment where applicable.
Missing Material Investigation & Resolution
* Lead the investigation into all instances of missing materials, identifying root causes (e.g., incorrect delivery, system errors, misplaced stock).
* Coordinate swiftly with procurement, warehousing, and production to resolve material shortages with minimal impact on the production schedule.
* Implement corrective and preventative actions to reduce the occurrence of missing material incidents.
Incoming Material Control (Goods In Area)
* Oversee the receiving process for all incoming materials, ensuring accuracy against production orders and adherence to specified delivery requirements.
* Implement and enforce robust goods receipt procedures and verification checks.
* Ensure delivered operations are allocated to the correct delivery bay for manufacture.
* Support the upscale of large volume build strategy.
Material Quality Management (Incorrect Material)
* Act as the primary point of contact for replacement materials related to incorrect, defective, or non-conforming incoming materials.
* Coordinate with Quality Control, Engineering, and suppliers to facilitate the resolution of material quality issues, including returns, rework, and replacement.
* Assess the root causes to these issues and escalate to the correct business stakeholders.
Stock Accuracy & Inventory Control Support
* Collaborate with the warehousing team on inventory counts, cycle counting, and discrepancy resolution.
* Identify and address root causes of inventory inaccuracies related to material flow processes.
Data Analysis & Reporting
* Generate and analyse reports on key material performance indicators, including material availability, accepted material shortages,
* Utilize data to identify opportunities for continuous improvement in material management processes.
* Support AIT supervisor with hours tracking/ booking & diversion booking.
* Regular communications with warehouse team, capture of issues related to 'picked' items
What We're Looking For
Our ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:
* Proven experience in a Material Control, Production Control, or Supply Chain role within a fast-paced manufacturing or automotive environment.
* Strong understanding of Just-In-Time (JIT) and Lean manufacturing principles.
* Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, ideally SAP.
* Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with a keen eye for detail.
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with all levels of the organization and external suppliers.
* Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
* Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word).
* Possesses a can-do attitude, engaging style, a team player.
* Managing material flow in a production environment.
* Competency in use of pedestrian stacking trucks / manual pallets trucks.
* Understanding of safety risks prevalent in a production & warehouse environment.
* Degree or equivalent qualification in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field.
* Experience with quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001).
Why You Should Join Us
When you become part of the KNDS UK team, you will enjoy employee benefits such as:
* Competitive salary
* Attractive pension (4% employee contribution, 7% employer contribution)
* Half-day Friday
* Life assurance scheme
* Company sick pay scheme which increases with service
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Additional Holidays & other Long Service rewards
* Wellbeing initiatives, such as Free Fruit on Tuesday's
* Cycle to work Scheme
* Free on-site car parking
* On-site electric vehicle charging points
We're also very proud to be part of the Armed Forces Covenant since 2018, achieving their Silver Award in 2020 and Gold Award in 2024. We actively support and encourage service leavers, reservists and cadets to join our team, recognising military skills and qualifications in our recruitment and selection process.
If you are passionate about Manufacturing and eager to contribute to a thriving workplace environment, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.
We look forward to receiving your application
Recruiters please note that we have a list of approved recruitment agency partners in place and we will contact agencies directly should we require support. Any unsolicited CV's received via an agency will be accepted with thanks but without fee.