Material Planner

The material planner can be an important employee in any large or medium-sized manufacturing facility. The material planner is responsible for ensuring an uninterrupted flow of all items required to keep the manufacturing line running. It is usually a balancing process since manufacturers don't typically have the storage space for large amounts of raw materials, therefore the material planner has to ensure sufficient supplies without using up resources.

Based on the particular items that are being produced, employers might require a material planner to possess a minimum bachelor's degree in business, engineering logistics, logistics, and supply chain management, however other degrees could be required depending on the particular industry within which the employer operates.

Material planners must be able to work as an individual and in teams. They should be able to conduct the research themselves and keep track of the materials they use, as well working with colleagues like those from the department of purchasing. In smaller companies, material planners could be the only source of communication between the management team of the manufacturer and the entire company's team of suppliers.

Based on the kind of product that is being produced, a material planner's work may involve a lot of physical tasks, like going through the production line and taking inventory of the space. Based on the industries, these areas may not be controlled by climate and therefore being able to work in different temperatures is an asset. Alongside being physically demanding such work, a desired skill for many material planners is being a skilled negotiator to reduce the cost of production and to ensure the timely delivery of materials.

As a Material Planner with 3-6 years of experience in India, your main responsibilities would include:

• Forecast the demand for materials needed in production and plan procurement accordingly.
• Optimize inventory levels to ensure timely production while minimizing excess inventory.
• Liaise with suppliers to ensure timely and accurate delivery of materials, negotiate pricing and delivery terms, and resolve any issues that arise.
• Work closely with production teams to plan the production schedule and ensure that the necessary materials are available for production.

For a Material Planner job role in India, with 3-6 years of work experience, below are the key qualifications required:

• Proficiency in using Material Requirement Planning (MRP) software to optimize inventory levels by predicting demand and supply.
• Strong attention to detail to accurately track and monitor the flow of materials, ensuring timely availability to support production.
• Knowledge about import/export laws, customs regulations, and shipping procedures to coordinate efficient and cost-effective inbound and outbound logistics operations.
• Excellent problem-solving skills to proactively identify potential material shortages or supply chain disruptions and develop contingency plans to avoid any delays.

For a Material Planner with 3-6 years of experience in India, several alternative roles are available to pursue. Here are four options to consider:

• Supply Chain Coordinator: A role focused on coordination of logistics, demand planning, and inventory management. It requires excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Production Planner: A position that requires creating production schedules and ensuring the availability of resources to meet production targets.
• Sourcing Specialist: Involves identifying, evaluating, and negotiating with potential suppliers, ensuring quality, and compliance with company standards. It requires excellent analytical skills and knowledge of different markets.
• Operations Manager: A role focused on managing operations to meet production targets, optimizing resources, and improving efficiency.

The job role of Material Planner in India is projected to witness significant growth in the market, based on recent data points from Google. Over the past 10 years, there has been a steady increase in employment opportunities for Material Planners in the region. The demand for professionals in this field is expected to continue rising in the coming years due to the expanding manufacturing and logistics sectors in India. The precise number of employment opportunities that will be available in the future is not explicitly mentioned in the available data, but it is evident that there is a positive outlook for those pursuing a career as a Material Planner in India.