Inventory, Planning and Supply Chain Leader

SP Industries Inc.; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SP Industries Inc. seeks an Inventory, Planning and Supply Chain Leader in Ipswich to oversee material scheduling, production planning and external supply chain coordination.

The role combines hands-on execution with team leadership and close collaboration with production management, global service and R&D. The position focuses on ensuring material availability, optimizing stock, and driving continuous improvement in supply chain and inventory management, including cost monitoring and PPV

Qualifications

• Must be from manufacturing background, with planning and scheduling experience.
• ERP systems experience and Excel proficiency.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Material scheduling and production planning to meet customer demand.
• Lead release of Work Orders for make items and optimize material availability.
• Drive material pull systems (Min Max, KanBan, MRP) and advise buyers.
• Lead the supply chain team to meet internal process requirements and supplier performance.
• Coordinate with Sales, Warehouse and Manufacturing to preempt problems and opportunities.
• Define suppliers and procure material for the NPD process; support ERP integration.

Skills

ERP systems

Excel

SQL

Lean techniques

Supply chain processes

Planning

Scheduling

Procurement

Interpersonal skills

Education

STEM degree

Job description

Job Description

We are recruiting for an

Job Description

We are recruiting for an Inventory, Planning and Supply Chain Leader based in Ipswich.

The role is predominantly focussed on inventory management, production planning and the external supply chain. The role will work closely with the production manager, global service team and R&D. This role will have both a “hands on” requirement as well as managing a small team.

The key responsibilities are:

Material scheduling and production planning to ensure customer demand is fulfilled. Leading the Scheduling and release of Work Orders (WO) for “make” items though you may delegate to departments where appropriate, e.g. production manager. With both of these, inventory management is required to ensure we have enough material for production and service and life cycle management of parts for aging products which includes the monitoring of costs and optimising of stock holding. With that, the role will lead, with finance, annual and periodic cycle counts.

The role will drive the material pull systems (e.g. Min Max, KanBan, MRP) to ensure that target shipment dates and pull forwards are met, guiding material buyers on the tactical execution.

Lead the supply chain team (e.g. buyers) to ensure supplier performance enables our internal processes and requirements to meet customer demand requirements. Additionally, to identify and support continuous improvement initiatives, particularly regarding supply chain and inventory management initiatives. Coordinate activities with Sales, Warehouse, and Manufacturing personnel to keep all departments informed of potential problems and opportunities.

This role will be responsible for defining the suppliers and procuring material for the NPD process as well as working closely with production engineering to ensure new parts are created in ERP.

This role will also have responsibility for material cost improvements through PPV projects and being part of VAVE activities as well as working with the current supply chain to mitigate potential increases.

Additional Information

Essential Skills

• Must be from manufacturing background, with planning and scheduling experience.


• Knowledge and experience of using ERP systems.


• Must be computer literate with SME level of Excel skills.


• Exhibit & encourage sense of urgency.


• Must be able to make decisions quickly and take risks.


• Must be able proactively to contribute to the team.


• Able to multi-task, working well under pressure.


• Proactive at looking for continuous improvement opportunities.


• Strong analytical, planning and problem-solving skills.


• Able to work independently to agreed targets and processes.

Ideal Experience & Skillset

• SQL – Knowledge of SQL, database querying and integration with Excel.


• Good understanding of supply chain processes


• Procurement of direct materials


• Knowledge of lean techniques may be advantageous.


• Interpersonal skills, both internal and external

Ideal Qualification

• Degree level in a STEM based subject or equivalent professional qualification (e.g. CIPS).

GDPR

By applying for this role, you give permission for SP to use and store your personal information contained within your CV or any other relevant information you provide to review your application for the specific role applied for. We will process this data for recruitment purposes only, this may include being sent to the US for review and further processing. We will not disclose your information to any third party unless legally required to do so.

We would like to keep this data until our open role is filled. When that period is over, we will archive the information which will be deleted annually.