| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Supply Chain |
| Level | Mid level |
| Reports to | Materials Manager |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 2 to 5 years in material planning or supply chain |
Material Planner job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Material Planner
Department: Supply Chain
Reports to: Materials Manager
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Material Planner makes sure the materials needed for production are ordered and available on time, without holding too much. They run material requirement planning from the production plan, raise purchase requisitions, follow up with vendors, and manage material stock and shortages. The role sits in supply chain or materials, under a materials or planning manager. A good one keeps production supplied with no shortages, plans materials so stock stays lean, chases vendors so deliveries land on time, and reacts quickly when a plan change or shortage threatens a production run.
Key responsibilities
- Run material requirement planning from the production plan for raw and packing materials.
- Raise purchase requisitions and schedule material deliveries to production needs.
- Follow up with vendors and procurement on order status and delivery dates.
- Track material stock, coverage and shortages against the production plan.
- Maintain planning parameters such as lead times, lot sizes and safety stock.
- Manage material shortages, expedites and substitutions to protect production.
- Coordinate with production, procurement, stores and quality on materials.
- Analyse material consumption and adjust plans to reduce excess.
- Support material inventory accuracy and reconciliation with the stores team.
- Flag material risks to the production plan early to the manager.
Requirements
- Degree in engineering, supply chain or commerce
- Knowledge of material planning and ERP
- Strong analytical and coordination skills
- 2 to 5 years in material planning or supply chain
KRAs and KPIs for a Material Planner
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Material availability | No production stoppage from a planning-caused material shortage |
| Plan accuracy | Material plans accurate against the production plan and consumption |
| Inventory control | Material stock kept within coverage norms, avoiding excess |
| Vendor follow-up | Orders followed up so deliveries land on time to plan |
| Parameter upkeep | Lead times, lot sizes and safety stock kept accurate |
| Risk flagging | Material risks flagged early enough to act before a run |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: ERP such as SAP MM, MS Excel, Material planning tools, Vendor portals, Business intelligence dashboards.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Materials Manager, Planning Manager
Interview questions for a Material Planner
- How do you run material requirement planning from a production plan?
- How do you make sure production never stops for a material shortage?
- How do you keep material stock lean without risking shortages?
- A vendor delays a critical material. How do you handle it?
- How do you set lead times and safety stock for materials?
- How do you react when the production plan changes suddenly?
Managing a Material Planner in ZeniaHR
Hire and manage your supply chain team in one place
Post the role, onboard the new hire, and track attendance, leave and KRAs in ZeniaHR. Free for your first 50 employees.
Book a free demoSee pricingFrequently asked questions
What does a material planner do?
A material planner makes sure the materials needed for production are ordered and available on time, without holding too much. They run material requirement planning from the production plan, raise purchase requisitions, follow up with vendors, and manage material stock and shortages. They keep production supplied with no shortages while keeping material stock lean.
What is material requirement planning?
Material requirement planning is a method that works out what materials are needed, how much and when, based on the production plan, current stock and lead times. It generates purchase requisitions and delivery schedules so materials arrive just in time for production. Material planners run this process, usually in an ERP system like SAP.
What is the difference between a material planner and a materials manager?
A material planner runs the planning for assigned materials: requirements, requisitions and follow-up. A materials manager owns overall material availability, procurement, vendors, inventory and stores, and leads the planners. The planner ensures materials arrive on time to plan; the manager owns cost, vendors and the wider materials function.