Materials Planner

Progress Rail, A Caterpillar Company; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Progress Rail Locomotive is seeking a Materials Planner to ensure material availability aligns with customer sales orders and production demands. You will work with the Inventory and Logistics team to maintain min/max levels and keep locomotive downtime in line with maintenance plans through timely material supply.

The role requires hands-on experience with ERP systems, strong planning, problem-solving, and clear communication to coordinate with suppliers, production, and the US team.

Qualifications

• Essential knowledge of production planning theory and practice.
• Experience in production/project planning and management.
• Proficient with MS Office; strong planning and coordination.
• Excellent teamwork and communication under pressure.
• Familiarity with Dynamics 365 ERP is desirable.
• Ability to prioritise and meet tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Load demand into D365 & US ERP systems.
• Update lead times and manage PO dates.
• Expedite materials per procedures.
• Track materials until arrival at destination.
• Coordinate with production to manage repairable items.
• Ensure core materials available per supplier lead times.
• Escalate shortages and participate in S&OP reviews.
• Collaborate with US supply chain team.

Skills

Production planning knowledge

MS Office skills

Organization and coordination

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Decision making

Self-motivation

Ability to work under pressure

Strong communication

Tools

Dynamics 365 ERP

MS Office

Job description

Progress Rail Locomotive are looking for a Materials Planner to utilise the company ERP systems to ensure that materials are available in line with planned customer sales orders and production order demands. To liaise with the Inventory and Logistics team to maintain the relevant min / max levels to ensure core material is available for non-planned additional works. To ensure that locomotive downtime is kept in line with the maintenance plans via material availability. Accountable for OPACC values of stocked materials.

DUTIES OF A MATERIALS PLANNER:

• Work with the sales team and fleet planners to ensure all demand is loaded in D365 & US ERP systems
• Update purchase order lead times within D365 as and when they know they have changed - request regular lead times from US and organize mass update.
• Expedite materials in line with agreed procedures utilizing ETQ.
• Utilise the D365 system to track of all expedited material until it physically arrives at Intended destination.
• Update PO's in D365 with new dates when received from suppliers and inform key stakeholders if plans are affected.
• Work with production to have repairable items removed from loco's in timely manner so they can be sent away for repair.
• Ensure that core materials are made available in line with supplier lead times.
• Liaise with the procurement team to ensure the locally overhauled materials are planned in line with the maintenance events.
• Escalate within the business when a critical shortage is becoming apparent.
• Once the business agrees allocation of critical shortage, update the allocation of the PO to the agreed Monitor and process the Net requirement actions.
• Supply information for and participate in monthly Sales & Operations Planning review meetings.
• Work with the US supply chain team to build close working relations to ensure communication is free flowing and timely.

Company values & Health & safety:

• Comply with and promote Company Health and Safety policies and take appropriate responsibility to ensure the health and safety of self and functional employees.
• Lead by example the demonstration of company values.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships across the organization to ensure a cohesive team approach.
• Proactively work towards own continuous professional development

General:

• Travel to other sites within the UK when necessary Other reasonable tasks required by the management and commensurate to the role

THE EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR A MATERIALS PLANNER:

• Essential Knowledge of both theoretical and practical aspects of production planning. Direct work experience in production/project planning and management.
• Knowledge of production planning techniques and tools.
• Competent with the use of all aspects of MS Office Excellent planning and co-ordination skills.
• Excellent team working skills.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Decision making.
• Be a self- starter in order to achieve tasks and overcome problems.
• Bring a sense of urgency to situations, demonstrate an active approach, be willing to get involved in order to achieve goals and objectives.
• Effective communication skills. Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines. Desirable Experience
• Dynamics 365 ERP platform
• Proficient in project management software/techniques and tools.

About the Company:

Progress Rail Locomotive is a subsidiary of Caterpillar, specialised in manufacturing, maintaining and overhauling diesel-electric locomotives across the world. For more than half a century, Progress Rail has hauled freight and passengers, powered ships, and generated electricity for over 100 countries around the globe. Becoming a part of the Progress Rail team means becoming a part of a challenging and bright future in our global marketplace.

Progress Rail is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.