Manager - Material Planning

Lucid Motors; King Abdullah Economic City; On-site; SAR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A luxury electric vehicle manufacturer is seeking a Manager for Material Planning in Saudi Arabia. This role involves leading the material planning team, developing MRP strategies, and collaborating with procurement to ensure material availability. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in logistics and extensive knowledge of manufacturing processes. This position offers a competitive benefits package and promotes diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k plan

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in logistics, distribution, or supply chain operations.
• 3+ years in a managerial or senior leadership role in logistics.
• Experience managing large teams and complex distribution networks.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the material planning team for timely planning.
• Develop material requirements planning strategies in SAP.
• Collaborate with procurement to ensure on-time delivery and resolve shortages.
• Monitor inventory levels to achieve targets and avoid stockouts.
• Drive continuous improvement in planning processes and KPIs.

Skills

Materials planning experience

People management skills

Manufacturing and automotive knowledge

Supplier relationship management

Advanced Excel skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management or related field

Master’s degree or MBA

Tools

SAP ERP system

Material Requirements Planning (MRP)

Job description

Overview

Lucid is focused on delivering luxury electric vehicles that elevate the human experience and redefine boundaries of space, performance, and intelligence. We aim to lead in this new era of luxury electric mobility by returning to the fundamentals of great design, ensuring decisions serve the individual and the environment.

Join a community for innovators who want to make an immediate and significant impact. If you are driven to create a better, more sustainable future, this is the right place for you.

Manager – Material Planning

The Manager – Material Planning is a critical function in Lucid responsible for coordinating with PPC, Manufacturing, Sales, transportation, and Procurement. The role involves sending out production and delivery schedules (daily/weekly/monthly/half yearly/annually) to the supplier base worldwide to ensure timely follow-up, using SAP ERP system to bring the right part at the right time, in the right quantity, and in the right place at Lucid production locations. The manager will leverage knowledge of shipping lines, road, and multi-modal transporters to achieve zero production losses with the least freight cost.

The ideal candidate brings a strategic mindset, digital transformation experience, strong team-building and motivational skills, and excellent communication capabilities across all levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the material planning team to ensure timely and accurate planning of raw materials, components, and subassemblies.
• Develop and maintain material requirements planning (MRP) strategies in SAP or other ERP systems.
• Collaborate with procurement and suppliers to ensure on-time delivery and resolve material shortages or delays.
• Analyze demand forecasts, production schedules, and inventory levels to create optimized material plans.
• Monitor and manage inventory levels, safety stock, and obsolescence to achieve inventory targets and avoid stockouts.
• Drive continuous improvement in planning processes, tools, and KPIs (e.g., OTIF, inventory turns, days of supply).
• Support new product launches and engineering changes by ensuring material readiness and supply continuity.
• Lead cross-functional meetings with procurement, production, quality, and logistics to ensure alignment on material flow and priorities.
• Establish and report on key metrics related to material planning performance.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and internal controls related to materials management.
• Manage, coach, and develop a highly performing team that meets objectives and delivers best practice results and continuous improvements.
• Set departmental objectives/KPIs and review ongoing performance of direct reports.
• Monitor and ensure staff maintain accurate material schedules to secure materials on site at the right time.
• Ensure adherence to health, safety, and environmental policies to safeguard staff and visitors.
• Strong acumen for freight and inventory budget control.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to forecast, plan, and facilitate on-time materials to the production line, avoiding disruption.
• Lead internal and external relationships to ensure timely communication regarding material availability.
• Work with cross-functional teams to deliver effective solutions.
• Liaise with stakeholders on product change requests and review, and communicate impact on material planning and schedules.
• Support new business initiatives and projects, and contribute to review meetings and change processes to ensure effective material planning implementation.
• Develop and maintain good relationships with suppliers and ensure demand for materials is met and deliveries are on time.
• Design, develop, and implement processes and work with suppliers on continuous improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to supplier assessment and sourcing in conjunction with the purchasing team.
• Participate in supplier meetings and negotiations to ensure material demand is met.
• Resolve supplier concerns and evaluate supplier performance with the purchasing team.
• Collaborate with the purchasing team to maximize purchasing strategies.

Skills

• Significant experience in a materials planning role, ensuring smooth supply of materials in line with production requirements and budget, ideally within automotive or manufacturing.
• Proven people management skill set.
• Expert knowledge of manufacturing and automotive processes, components, and supply chain management.
• Experience in handling supplier relationships.
• Strong IT systems knowledge, including advanced Excel skills.
• Good working knowledge of Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems or similar.
• Experience delivering results through cross-functional working.
• Knowledge of lean techniques may be advantageous.
• Membership of an appropriate professional body would be advantageous.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, logistics, industrial engineering, business, or a related field.
• Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in logistics, distribution, or supply chain operations.
• At least 3+ years in a managerial or senior leadership role in logistics.
• Experience managing large teams and complex distribution networks.

Lucid is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Additional Compensation and Benefits

Lucid offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401k. The successful candidate may be eligible to participate in Lucid’s equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing such programs. (Cash or equity incentive awards, if any, will depend on various factors, including individual and company performance.)