Material Planner

A material planner is an essential member of staff in any medium or large manufacturing operation. The material planner ensures a steady flow of all materials needed to keep a manufacturing line operating. This is generally a balancing act; manufacturers do not generally have space to store large quantities of raw materials, so the material planner must ensure adequate supplies without overbuying or wasting resources.

Depending upon the specific items being manufactured, employers may expect a material planner to have at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, business, logistics, or supply chain management, though other degrees may be desirable depending upon the specific industry in which an employer is situated.

Material planners need to be adept at working both independently and as part of a team. They must be able to do their own research and inventorying of materials, as well as work with colleagues such as those in the purchasing department. In smaller operations, material planners may be the sole point of contact between the manufacturer’s management team and the company’s entire team of suppliers.

Depending upon the type of item being manufactured, a material planner's job may include substantial physical work, such as walking the production line and surveying the inventory space. Depending on industry, these spaces may not be climate controlled, so being able to function in varying temperatures is a valuable asset. In addition to the physical demands of such a job, a highly desirable skill for most material planners is to be an excellent negotiator, to help minimize costs of production and help ensure timely delivery of needed materials.

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

• Forecast and analyze demand for materials, ensuring optimal inventory levels and timely availability.
• Collaborate with suppliers to negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules, while maintaining strong relationships.
• Monitor production plans and schedules to identify potential bottlenecks and proactively address supply chain issues.
• Analyze data and generate reports to assess inventory turnover, supplier performance, and cost optimization opportunities.

For a Material Planner job role, the following qualifications are required:

• Strong knowledge of supply chain management principles and practices, including inventory management, demand forecasting, and production planning.
• Proficiency in utilizing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and other relevant software tools to monitor and optimize materials procurement and inventory levels.
• Excellent analytical skills to analyze data and trends, identify potential supply chain risks, and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Effective communication and collaboration abilities to liaise with suppliers, internal stakeholders, and cross-functional teams, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of materials while maintaining cost efficiency.

The role of Material Planner is crucial in ensuring efficient supply chain management. For professionals with 3-6 years of experience in Singapore, here are following alternative roles to consider:

• Inventory Control Analyst: This role involves analyzing inventory levels, optimizing stock levels, and implementing inventory control strategies to minimize costs and improve efficiency.
• Production Scheduler: A position focused on planning and scheduling production activities to ensure timely delivery of goods while optimizing resources and minimizing downtime.
• Supply Chain Coordinator: This role involves coordinating and managing all aspects of the supply chain, including procurement, logistics, and inventory management, to ensure smooth operations.
• Demand Planner: A position focused on analyzing market trends, sales forecasts, and customer demand to develop accurate demand plans, optimize inventory levels, and support sales and operations planning processes.

The role of Material Planner in Singapore is projected to witness significant growth in the market. Over the past 10 years, there has been an increasing demand for material planners due to the expanding manufacturing and logistics sectors in the country. With advancements in technology and automation, more organizations are recognizing the importance of effective material planning to optimize their supply chain. This trend is expected to continue in the future, leading to a substantial number of employment opportunities for material planners in Singapore. According to Google, the job outlook for material planners in Singapore is promising, indicating a positive growth trajectory for this role.