Materials Scheduler jobs
Any successful and profitable business must keep costs to a minimum whilst maximising customer satisfaction and quality. This can be achieved in a multitude of ways, but in production businesses, the costs associated with acquiring, storing and using materials cannot be ignored if maximum profitability is to be achieved.
The cost of a materials delivery does not end with the invoice being paid. Owning a surplus of materials that are waiting to be used has its own physical costs, in terms of floor space, security and such like. There is also the cash flow implication of over-ordering to consider. On the opposite side of the equation is under-ordering. Trying to acquire just enough material to meet current needs can be a poor strategy if there’s a sudden spike in demand. Somewhere in between these extremes is a happy medium, and the materials scheduler will be in charge of achieving it.
By taking the best information possible from analysts, forecasters, sales representatives and company records, the materials scheduler will build up a picture of future needs so that he or she is in a better position to keep the optimum amount ordered, which for most purposes is enough to meet all productivity needs plus a little in reserve. Needless to say, in real life it’s much more complicated than that, which is why a good materials scheduler is such an important member of any supply chain team.
The skills required
The materials scheduler will be part analyst, part forecaster, part procurer, part negotiator. The job will require a day to day grasp of stock levels, costs, availability and demand, and the scheduler will need to make sense of it all and turn it into concrete orders. The overriding considerations will be customer satisfaction and profitability, and these elements will need to be satisfied by blending all the available information. Therefore a good analytical and organisational brain will be a strong point.
Much of the scheduling, stock taking and ordering work will be carried out using various software products, some of which might be unique to the employer, others which might be common. A good grasp of a range of solutions will be a requisite in the materials scheduler.
Materials Scheduler Jobs in Bolton
Located in the Greater Manchester area, the town of Bolton is a thriving community with plenty of opportunities for those seeking Materials Scheduler positions.
The town's history extends back thousands of years and signs of a Neolithic settlement include a stone circle on Cheetham Close. Bronze Age burial mounds in the region were excavated by the Victorians and the town was given a market charter in 1251. In fact, the medieval market was held until the 18th century.
Bolton has long been known for its textile industry and several innovations, including the spinning mule, led to the town's prosperity during the Industrial Revolution. However, there was substantial decline in the 1920s and today the chimneys and empty mills are the only reminders of this part of the town's past.
However, there is still an element of manufacturing to be found in Bolton, with smaller scale paper manufacturing, textiles and steelworks in operation.
Warburtons is headquartered in the town and has been since it was established in 1876. Now one of the UK's most popular brands of bread, this company produces millions of loaves every year. In addition to its head office, there are also two bakeries in Bolton.
For the most part, however, Bolton's modern economy relies on the service sector and tech. The town is home to a number of offices that specialise in data processing and there are several call centres and IT companies.
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Cast UK’s supply chain opportunities
Cast UK’s founder members and consultants all come from the logistics, supply chain and procurement sectors, so we know what employers and candidates are looking for in their staff and careers respectively. As we only deal with these fields, many employers come to us first to create a candidate shortlist because they know we’re tightly focused on delivering the best people to them.
Please see what’s available in your region and if you’ve seen something you’re interested in, do get in touch – whether it’s today or tomorrow, we might have the ideal position for you.
Cast UK is growing in logistics, procurement and supply chain recruitment, partly because these are the only sectors we deal with. People approach us for many reasons, whether seeking more job fulfilment or simply relocating with the family, so it’s good to know that we always have the complete range of positions available nationwide.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Materials Scheduler for your business or find you a job as a Materials Scheduler then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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