Material Request Planning Officer

Role Overview

The Material Request Planning Officer is responsible for ensuring that the appropriate materials are available precisely when needed and in suitable quantities to meet production targets. This involves balancing material supply and demand and minimizing costs associated with surplus inventory or shortages.

Core Responsibilities

• Analyze production and maintenance schedules to determine necessary material requirements.
• Create precise demand forecasts by examining consumption trends, lead times, and production schedules.
• Collaborate closely with operations, maintenance, and procurement teams to align material plans.
• Regularly update plans to reflect operational changes or sudden demand fluctuations.
• Coordinate with suppliers to guarantee timely material deliveries.
• Formulate procurement strategies including identifying alternative suppliers to reduce risk.
• Use Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems to track inventory, detect shortages, and prepare procurement recommendations.
• Design and execute contingency plans to address material shortages and supply chain interruptions.
• Work cooperatively across departments to resolve production flow challenges.
• Carry out additional tasks as assigned by the direct manager.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Possession of a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline.
• At least five years of experience in material planning, inventory control, or supply chain management roles.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills essential for liaising with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Analytical proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Access, and PowerPoint for data analysis and reporting.
• Capability to forecast demand accurately and assess material requirements.
• Solid understanding of inventory management, stock control, and maintaining optimal stock levels.
• Familiarity with supply chain fundamentals, manufacturing workflows, and lean manufacturing methods.
• Ability to identify and resolve problems efficiently, particularly under pressure.
• Detail-oriented approach to ensure precision in planning and data handling.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proven capacity to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Understanding of financial concepts, including budgeting, cost control, and the financial impact of planning decisions.