Senior Material Planner

Job Title: Senior Material Planner

Location: Thirsk, North Yorkshire
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM 5:00 PM (40 hours/week)
Salary: £38,000 £42,000 per annum, depending on experience

(This role is based on site)

Overview

A well-established manufacturing business in Thirsk is looking for a Senior Material Planner to join its close-knit supply chain team. Reporting to the Operations Director, you will play a key role in leading material planning activity across the site. This is a senior-level position within a small team of two, offering autonomy and ownership of material flow, supplier coordination, and inventory optimisation.

This role is ideal for an experienced planner ready to take a lead position in a dynamic, hands-on environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and reschedule open purchase orders in line with production requirements
• Optimise purchasing parameters (transport, MOQs, firm windows)
• Support new product development by sourcing materials and coordinating with R&D and project teams
• Oversee supplier relationships, including onboarding, performance tracking, and ongoing collaboration
• Take ownership of inventory accuracy and stock value performance
• Use purchasing and sales history to improve planning accuracy
• Support site-wide inventory strategies for new, existing, and phased-out products
• Work closely with production planners to align materials with forecasts
• Identify and mitigate supply risks proactively
• Optimise inbound logistics and transport utilisation
• Drive productivity improvements through tighter MRP controls
• Establish and maintain Kanban levels at production cells
• Collaborate with warehouse supervisors on inventory holding levels
• Attend daily logistics meetings to ensure alignment of priorities

What We're Looking For

• Experience: 35+ years in material planning / production / operations
• Leadership: Comfortable working independently and guiding a small team or assistant planner
• Systems: Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Sage) and strong Excel skills
• Supply Chain Knowledge: Strong grasp of BOMs, lead times, inventory strategies, and lean methodologies
• Analytical Mindset: Confident using data to make informed decisions
• Communication: Able to liaise across departments and negotiate with suppliers effectively