Supply Planner

Waymade Plc.; Basildon; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Waymade Plc. is seeking a Supply Planner to manage purchase orders with CMOs and external suppliers, ensuring on-time product availability.

You will coordinate with Demand Planning to align forecasts with inventory targets and report supplier performance against key metrics. The role requires experience in supply planning within a manufacturing or regulated environment, strong Excel skills, ERP proficiency, and the ability to communicate risks and mitigations to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Degree in Supply Chain Management or related discipline
• MS Office proficiency (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Experience in Supply Planning or Procurement in manufacturing
• Experience with CMOs and external suppliers
• Experience using Microsoft Dynamics ERP
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills

Responsibilities

• Raise and manage purchase orders to CMOs and external suppliers in line with approved supply plans
• Monitor purchase order progress from placement through to receipt, ensuring timely delivery
• Maintain regular communication with CMOs regarding production schedules, capacity constraints, material availability and shipment dates
• Track and report supplier performance against service, delivery and quality metrics
• Provide timely updates to internal stakeholders on order status, supply risks and recovery plans
• Support the monthly supply review with updates on open orders and production schedules
• Coordinate with Demand Planning to align supply plans with forecast and inventory requirements
• Identify supply risks and escalation issues to minimise customer impact
• Monitor inventory levels and recommend replenishment actions
• Maintain ERP data accuracy and support continuous improvement initiatives

Skills

Supply chain planning

PO management

ERP systems

CMO experience

MS Office

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Inventory management

Education

Degree in Supply Chain Management

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

The Supply Planner is responsible for managing the supply planning and purchase order process with Contract Manufacturing Organisations (CMOs) to ensure the timely availability of products in line with business demand requirements.

The role acts as a key link between Demand Planning, Commercial, Customer Services, Quality, Logistics and external manufacturing partners, providing visibility of supplier performance, production schedules and order status to support informed business decision-making and uninterrupted patient supply.

Job Purpose

• Raise and manage purchase orders with CMOs and external suppliers in line with approved supply plans and demand forecasts.
• Monitor supplier performance, manufacturing progress and order status, ensuring accurate and timely communication of risks and developments to the business.
• Support the delivery of inventory, customer service and supply chain performance objectives through effective supply planning and supplier management

Key Responsibilities

• Create, issue and manage purchase orders to Contract Manufacturing Organisations (CMOs) in accordance with approved supply plans.
• Monitor purchase order progress from placement through to receipt, ensuring products are delivered within agreed timelines.
• Maintain regular communication with CMOs regarding production schedules, capacity constraints, material availability and shipment dates.
• Track and report supplier performance against agreed service, delivery and quality metrics.
• Provide timely updates to internal stakeholders on order status, supply risks, delays and recovery plans.
• Support the monthly supply review process by providing updates on open orders, production schedules and supplier performance.
• Work closely with Demand Planning to ensure supply plans align with current demand forecasts and inventory requirements.
• Identify potential supply risks and escalation issues proactively to minimise customer service impact.
• Monitor inventory levels and recommend replenishment activities to maintain agreed stock levels.
• Coordinate with Logistics, Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure timely product release and availability.
• Maintain accurate supply planning, supplier and purchase order information within the ERP system.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives designed to improve supplier performance, service levels and supply chain efficiency.
• Produce regular reports on supplier performance, order status, inventory levels and supply plan adherence.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings to support supply continuity and business objectives.
• Review forecast changes and assess the impact on supplier requirements and inventory levels
• Ensure supply plans reflect manufacturing lead times, capacity constraints and business priorities
• Support scenario planning and risk assessments when demand or supply conditions change
• Coordinate supply plans for product transfers between manufacturing sites where applicable

Key Accountabilities

• Timely placement and management of purchase orders with CMOs and external suppliers.
• Accurate and up-to-date reporting of order status (OTIF) and supplier performance.
• Achievement of target inventory levels and product availability.
• Identification, communication and mitigation of supply risks.
• Maintenance of accurate planning and ERP system data.
• Delivery of agreed customer service and supply chain performance targets.
• Effective supplier relationship management and performance monitoring.
• Support of business continuity and patient supply objectives

Performance Standards

• Maintains a professional standard at all times; punctual, polite and courteous to all customers and colleagues
• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to data accuracy and compliance
• Good team working skills - collaborates effectively within the QC Laboratory and wider Quality team
• Proactive and solutions-focused; able to identify issues and implement corrective actions
• Understands the importance of trust and confidentiality in a regulated laboratory environment
• Ensures compliance with all Company Policies and Procedures

Your Experience & Skills

• Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, Operations Management or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant Supply Chain Planning experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
• Evidence of continued professional development within Supply Chain, Planning or Operations disciplines
• Experience in Supply Planning, Production Planning Procurement, Supply Chain or Operations within a manufacturing or regulated environment
• Experience managing purchase orders and supplier relationships, including monitoring production schedules and delivery performance
• Experience working with Contract Manufacturing Organisations (CMOs)
• Experience using ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics
• Good understanding of Supply Chain Planning principles including inventory management, replenishment planning and supplier management
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends and communicate supply risks effectively
• Excellent planning and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple prioritiesvStrong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to monitor supplier performance and manage order status reporting
• Ideally having some knowledge of pharmaceutical supply chain processes

Hours and working arrangements:

• This is a permanent role, and full time (37.5hrs per week). Your daily hours (7.5) will be worked between 8am & 5.30pm, Monday to Friday..
• Given the nature of the role, you will be working on-site.

We endeavour to reply and feedback to all applications; however, when a popular role becomes available, it’s not always possible, so if you have not heard from us within 30-days please assume that we couldn’t take your application further on this occasion.

We are committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our employees to be truly representative of all sections of society, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best.