Material and Purchasing Lead

Reed; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stable and growing manufacturing

Long-term career progression

Supportive and collaborative working

Job summary

Reed Gloucester is seeking an experienced Material Planner to lead material planning and purchasing in a busy manufacturing environment. You will ensure material availability to support production schedules and customer requirements, supervise a Purchasing Administrator, and drive continuous improvement in planning processes.

The role requires strong MRP/ERP experience, advanced Excel skills, and a track record in supplier management within manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a Material Planner, Supply Chain Planner, Production Planner or similar role.
• Strong manufacturing sector experience.
• Proven MRP planning experience.
• Experience using ERP systems.
• Advanced Excel skills for forecasting, planning and reporting.
• Strong supplier management and purchasing knowledge.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage material plans to support production schedules
• Raise and manage purchase orders with suppliers and address issues
• Monitor inventory levels and ensure optimal stock availability
• Utilise MRP/ERP systems to manage planning and procurement activities
• Analyse demand forecasts and production requirements using Excel
• Work closely with Production and Planning teams to ensure material availability
• Liaise with suppliers regarding delivery schedules, shortages and lead times
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across planning and purchasing processes
• Supervise and support a Purchasing Administrator

Skills

MRP planning

Excel

Supplier management

Analytical skills

Multi-priority management

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Material Planner

Gloucester GBP40,000 - GBP45,000 Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm

Our client, a well-established and growing manufacturing business based in Gloucester, is looking to appoint an experienced supply chain professional to join their team and lead planning and purchasing activity. This is an excellent opportunity for a supply chain professional with strong planning and purchasing experience to play a key role in ensuring material availability, supporting production schedules, and driving operational efficiency.

This position offers genuine long-term career progression for an ambitious individual looking to develop further within supply chain and procurement leadership.

Working within a busy manufacturing environment, you will take ownership of material planning activities whilst also maintaining purchasing responsibilities. You'll be responsible for ensuring the right materials are available at the right time to support production demands and customer requirements.

The successful candidate will also provide day-to-day supervision and support to a Purchasing Administrator.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage material plans to support production schedules
• Raise and manage purchase orders with suppliers and address issues
• Monitor inventory levels and ensure optimal stock availability
• Utilise MRP/ERP systems to manage planning and procurement activities
• Analyse demand forecasts and production requirements using Excel
• Work closely with Production and Planning teams to ensure material availability
• Liaise with suppliers regarding delivery schedules, shortages and lead times
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across planning and purchasing processes
• Supervise and support a Purchasing Administrator

About You

We are looking for a candidate who combines strong material planning expertise with a solid understanding of purchasing and supply chain operations.

Essential Requirements

• Previous experience in a Material Planner, Supply Chain Planner, Production Planner or similar role
• Strong manufacturing sector experience
• Proven MRP planning experience
• Experience using ERP systems
• Advanced Excel skills for forecasting, planning and reporting
• Strong supplier management and purchasing knowledge
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

What's on Offer?

• Salary of GBP40,000 - GBP45,000
• Monday to Friday working hours (8:00am - 4:00pm)
• Stable and growing manufacturing business
• Long-term career progression opportunities
• Supportive and collaborative working environment