Material Planner

ZEISS Group; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Learning & development

Career progression

Job summary

ZEISS Group is seeking experienced Material Planners to join our Cambourne, Cambridge team. This role focuses on ensuring material availability for production, balancing inventory levels and mitigating supply chain risks in a collaborative environment.

You will work across production planning, demand forecasting and supplier coordination, using SAP and MRPs to optimise materials and minimize delays. The position offers hybrid working in Cambourne with ongoing development opportunities within a

Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing, engineering or production environments.
• Strong understanding of MRP and material planning principles.
• Experience using SAP or similar ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• A structured approach and strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Manage material planning activities across a range of products and planning areas.
• Review demand forecasts and production requirements to ensure material availability.
• Monitor MRP outputs and identify potential shortages or supply risks.
• Work with Purchasing, Production and Logistics to resolve material issues.
• Support inventory optimisation and working capital objectives.
• Contribute to proactive planning and continuous improvement.

Skills

MRP knowledge

Material planning

SAP

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Tools

Power BI

Job description

Material PlannerZEISS | Cambourne, Cambridge (Hybrid Working)Are you an experienced Material Planner, Production Planner or Supply Chain professional looking to join a global technology leader?ZEISS is at the forefront of scientific innovation, developing world-class technology and equipment used across research, industry and advanced manufacturing. Due to continued development within the Supply Chain function, we are looking to recruit two Material Planners to support our Electron Microscopy business in Cambourne.This is an excellent opportunity to join a collaborative team where you'll play a key role in ensuring materials are available to support production, while balancing inventory levels and mitigating supply chain risks.What you'll be doingManaging material planning activities across a range of products and planning areasReviewing demand forecasts and production requirements to ensure material availabilityMonitoring MRP outputs and identifying potential shortages or supply risksWorking closely with Purchasing, Production and Logistics teams to resolve material issuesSupporting inventory optimisation and working capital objectivesManaging material requirements through product introductions, engineering changes and product transitionsAnalysing planning data and identifying opportunities for continuous improvementContributing to a proactive and collaborative planning environmentWhat we're looking forWe're keen to speak with candidates from manufacturing, engineering or technical production environments who have experience planning materials, components or production requirements.You may currently be working as a:Material PlannerMaterials PlannerProduction PlannerSupply PlannerManufacturing PlannerMaterials ControllerTo be successful, you'll ideally have:Experience within a manufacturing, engineering or production environmentStrong understanding of MRP and material planning principlesExperience using SAP or a similar ERP/MRP planning systemStrong analytical and problem-solving skillsExperience managing inventory, shortages and material availabilityExcellent stakeholder management and communication skillsA structured approach and strong attention to detailDesirable ExperienceAerospace, defence, industrial engineering, scientific instrumentation or other complex manufacturing environmentsPower BI, Excel or data analysis toolsNPI, ECO or product lifecycle planning activitiesInventory optimisation and supplier management experienceWhy Join ZEISS?Join a globally recognised technology and engineering brandWork within a highly collaborative Supply Chain teamPlay a key role supporting complex, high-value productsFlexible and hybrid working arrangementsOngoing learning and development opportunitiesLong-term career progression within a global organisationLocationCambourne, Cambridge (Hybrid Working)Interested?We'd love to hear from Material Planners, Production Planners and Supply Chain professionals who are looking to take the next step in their career with a world-leading technology business.Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:Abigail Hannaby, Farzana Rahman, Kate Benyon, Lara Haslam, Natarlee Lawrence, Suya Rolph