Supply Planner jobs
As customer demands fluctuate throughout the seasons and in response to promotions by vendors and the manufacturer’s own marketing and PR departments, it is vital that the start of the supply chain is not overlooked. Failure to order enough raw materials and components will of course means that customer demands cannot be met and they will start to look elsewhere. But over-ordering can be a drain on cash flow and ramp up the costs of warehousing and processing of the goods, regardless of whether they are raw materials or finished products. And where a product requires several raw materials (as most do), any increases and drops in demand need to be choreographed with the various suppliers in unison.
All this is overseen by the supply planner, who will work alongside the manufacturer’s sales and marketing team, forecasters, buyers and production management to ensure there are no shocks to the system and that supply is kept at its optimum level in line with what can be expected.
They will need to be constantly aware of stock levels and incoming deliveries to ensure production carries on at the perfect level and that there is never any down time for want of raw materials. There will be a good deal or liaison with the suppliers themselves, and part of the job will be to try and drive down costs by seeking out new supplier or entering into negotiations with existing ones. There will also be extensive reporting and auditing duties.
The skills required
A thoroughly logical and analytical mindset will be a key attribute in the successful supply planner, and at management level this will need to be demonstrable by having some experience in buying, forecasting, analysis or production.
The supply planner will need to work relatively autonomously, without regular contact with senior management, and will probably have a strict budget to work with. He or she must be able to show maturity and responsibility with money to qualify for the job.
Successful applicants will also need to be excellent communicators. Listening to data from the sources listed above and converting it into actionable data and supply requests will be important skills.
Supply Planner Jobs in Basildon
Situated in Essex, around 25 miles from central London, Basildon was established as a new town in 1948. Since then it has been a popular choice for those who commute to the capital on a daily basis, and it is one of the most populated regions in the county. It also offers a range of options for those seeking Supply Planner vacancies.
Basildon is first mentioned in the Domesday Book, but it remained a fairly small settlement until the 19th century when railway services connected it to other parts of Essex. It wasn't until after the end of WWII that it really began to grow, incorporating nearby Laindon and Pitsea as part of the new town.
These days, Basildon is classified as part of the Thames Gateway and is thus undergoing significant regeneration, with the construction of new homes and work being carried out to town centre and road infrastructure. In 2010, Basildon's own version of the Hollywood sign was erected and the local council is working on a scheme for developing the industrial areas.
For the most part, Basildon's economy relies on retail and the service sector, with the largest employer being the local council. However, a number of larger companies are based here or have large facilities in the region, including IFDS Financial, Ford, SELEX, MK Electric, Konica Minolta and Gardner Aerospace.
Popular locations
Cast UK’s supply chain opportunities
Our founder members and consultants all have backgrounds in logistics, procurement and supply chain, so we know what employers and candidates are looking for in their staff and careers respectively. Thanks to this focus, many employers come to us first to create a candidate shortlist because they know we’ll deliver 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 best position for you.
People approach Cast UK for a number of 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. We are a growing force in logistics, procurement and supply chain recruitment, partly because these are the only sectors we deal with.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Supply Planner for your business or find you a job as a Supply Planner then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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