Material Planner

Job Summary

The Material Planner is responsible for ensuring the timely and cost-effective availability of raw materials to support production and order fulfillment. This role combines demand planning from customer orders, inventory management, and procurement activities. The position requires close coordination with the Key Account team, use of the Navision ERP system for MRP processes, active inventory control, and supplier negotiation to maintain optimal stock levels while controlling costs.

Key Responsibilities

•        Receive and process new orders from the Key Account department and translate them into material requirements.

•        Run MRP (Material Requirements Planning) demand reports in the Navision system to determine raw material needs based on orders, forecasts, and production schedules.

•        Verify that inventory levels and supplier order confirmations align with demand requirements; identify and resolve any discrepancies.

•        Plan and execute purchases of raw materials by inputting demand data into the ERP system, generating purchase requisitions or orders, and ensuring timely replenishment.

•        Negotiate prices, payment terms, and delivery schedules with suppliers to achieve cost savings while maintaining quality and reliability standards.

•        Prepare and maintain regular inventory reports, including stock status, aging analysis, slow-moving items, and inventory turnover metrics.

•        Monitor and control inventory levels to minimize excess or obsolete stock; implement corrective actions as needed.

•        Collaborate cross-functionally with Production, Warehouse, Quality, Finance, and Key Account teams to align material availability with operational and customer requirements.

•        Maintain accurate master data in the ERP system (lead times, safety stock levels, reorder points, and supplier information).

•        Support continuous improvement initiatives in planning processes, inventory accuracy, and supplier performance.

Education

•        Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, International Business, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.

Experience

•        Minimum 4 years of relevant experience in material planning, inventory management, or procurement within a manufacturing or sourcing environment.

•        Hands-on experience running MRP processes and managing raw material planning in an ERP system.

Technical Skills

•        Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (advanced level: pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis, reporting, and basic macros).

•        Solid experience with ERP systems, specifically Microsoft Navision (highly preferred); experience with SAP or other ERP platforms is also acceptable.

•        Familiarity with inventory management principles, MRP logic, and basic supply chain analytics.

Language Skills

•        Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (required).

•        Proficiency in Chinese (Mandarin) is strongly preferred for supplier communication and negotiation.

Other Competencies

•        Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail.

•        Effective negotiation and supplier management abilities.

•        Good cross-functional communication and coordination skills.

•        Ability to work independently, manage priorities under time pressure, and meet deadlines in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

•        Proactive mindset with a focus on cost control, inventory optimization, and service level improvement.