HEAD OF MATERIAL PLANNING

Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd (PTP); Gelang Patah; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Port of Tanjung Pelepas seeks a Head of Department of Material Planning to lead strategic planning, forecasting and ERP-driven transformation across operations. You will optimize inventory, ensure critical spare parts availability, and drive continuous improvement with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Operations, Procurement, and Finance.

The role emphasizes leadership, governance, and analytics to maximize equipment reliability and business resilience in a world-class port

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, engineering, logistics, operations management or business.
• Master's/MBA is an added advantage.
• APICS CPIM/CSCP or CIPS certification highly desirable.
• 10–15 years in supply chain/material planning/inventory management.
• 5+ years in a senior leadership or head of department role.
• Experience in ports, logistics, manufacturing, heavy industry or engineering-intensive environments.
• Proven track record in transformation and ERP/digitalization.
• Strong stakeholder management across multi-functional units.
• Knowledge of MRP, Demand Forecasting, Inventory Governance, Master Data Management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the organisation's Material Planning strategy and set annual objectives.
• Develop and monitor KPIs for inventory performance and improvements.
• Benchmark and implement best practices for planning governance and procedures.
• Lead enterprise inventory strategies, including ABC/XYZ segmentation and safety stock.
• Oversee demand forecasting, FA monitoring, and maintenance material planning.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Procurement, Warehouse, and Finance.
• Drive ERP optimization, digital transformation, dashboards and RAMCO improvements.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing Material Planning team.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Logistics, Operations Management, Business Administration or equivalent

Master's Degree or MBA

APICS CPIM/CSCP or equivalent certification

CIPS or equivalent professional certification

Tools

RAMCO ERP

ERP systems

Data visualization tools

Job description

The Head of Department of Material Planning is responsible for providing strategic leadership and governance over the organization's material planning, inventory optimization, spare parts management, demand forecasting, and supply continuity to support port operations.

The role ensures the availability of critical materials while optimizing inventory investment, improving forecast accuracy, enhancing ERP capabilities, and driving continuous improvements across the supply chain. Working closely with Engineering & Facilities, Operations, Procurement & Tender, Warehouse, and Project Integration, the position develops long-term inventory strategies that maximise equipment reliability, operational efficiency, and business resilience.

This position plays a critical leadership role in transforming Material Planning into a data-driven, proactive business partner that supports PTP's operational excellence objectives.

Strategic Purpose

The Head of Department of Material Planning shall:

• Develop long-term inventory and material planning strategies aligned with corporate objectives.
• Ensure uninterrupted availability of critical spare parts and operational materials.
• Optimize working capital through effective inventory management.
• Drive forecasting excellence using analytics and predictive planning.
• Lead ERP optimization and digital transformation initiatives within Material Planning.
• Build organizational capability through succession planning, coaching and leadership development.
• Establish governance frameworks to ensure compliance with inventory policies and planning standards.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Material Planning Leadership

• Develop and execute the organization's Material Planning strategy in alignment with business priorities.
• Establish annual departmental objectives, KPIs and improvement initiatives.
• Lead continuous improvement programmed to optimize inventory performance.
• Develop planning governance, policies and procedures that promote operational excellence.
• Benchmark industry best practices and introduce innovative planning methodologies.

2. Inventory Strategy & Optimization

Lead the development and execution of enterprise inventory strategies by:

• Optimizing inventory investment while maintaining operational readiness.
• Establishing inventory segmentation strategies (ABC, XYZ, Criticality Analysis).
• Reviewing safety stock policies and reorder parameters.
• Managing inventory lifecycle, including slow-moving and obsolete inventory.
• Driving inventory reduction initiatives without compromising equipment reliability.
• Monitoring inventory turnover, carrying costs and stock utilization.

3. Forecasting & Demand Planning

Provide leadership in demand forecasting through:

• Forecast modelling using historical consumption and operational requirements.
• Forecast Accuracy (FA) monitoring.
• Preventive Maintenance demand planning.
• Corrective Maintenance material forecasting.
• Capital project material planning.
• Long-term spare parts forecasting.

Ensure forecast methodologies continuously improve to support operational requirements.

4. Spare Parts & Equipment Reliability Support

Partner with Engineering & Facilities and Operations to:

• Ensure critical spare parts availability.
• Review Bill of Materials (BOM).
• Improve PIPO implementation.
• Support maintenance planning.
• Reduce equipment downtime through proactive planning.
• Develop criticality matrices for high-risk assets.

5. ERP & Digital Transformation

• ERP enhancement and optimization.
• Inventory analytics dashboards.
• Material planning automation.
• RAMCO ERP improvements.
• User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
• System governance and process standardization.

Promote digital solutions that improve planning visibility and decision-making.

6. Cross Functional Collaboration

Develop strong partnerships with:

• Warehouse
• Operations
• Project Integration
• Finance
• Human Capital
• External service providers

Ensure alignment between planning, procurement, warehousing and operational requirements.

Ensure compliance with:

• Inventory governance standards.
• Audit requirements.
• IMS requirements.
• ERP governance.
• Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE) requirements.

Lead and develop a high-performing Material Planning team by:

• Setting performance expectations.
• Coaching and mentoring employees.
• Driving competency development.
• Supporting succession planning.
• Building future leaders.
• Encouraging innovation and collaboration.

Requirements

1. Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Logistics, Operations Management, Business Administration or equivalent.
• Master's Degree or MBA is an added advantage.
• APICS (CPIM/CSCP), CIPS or equivalent professional certification is highly desirable.

2. Experience

• Minimum 10–15 years of progressive experience in Supply Chain, Material Planning or Inventory Management.
• Minimum 5 years in a senior leadership or Head of Department role.
• Experience within ports, logistics, manufacturing, heavy industry, utilities or engineering-intensive environments is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in leading organizational transformation and process improvement initiatives.
• Proven experience implementing ERP systems and driving digitalization projects.
• Strong track record in stakeholder management across multi-functional business units.
• Material Requirements Planning (MRP)
• Demand Forecasting
• Inventory Optimization
• Supply Chain Analytics
• Data Analysis & Reporting
• Inventory Governance
• Master Data Management
• Maintenance Planning
• Business Process Improvement

Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia's largest and busiest container terminal, is a world class port located at the southern tip of the Malaysian peninsula and at the confluence of the east-west trade lanes. Enjoying geographical advantage, multimodal connectivity and situated within Malaysia's southern gateway Iskandar Malaysia, we are poised to become the preferred Port of Choice in South East Asia.

If you desire a career in a fast growing, multi-talented yet warm & friendly environment - then join our winning team.