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 Glasgow
Located on the River Clyde in the western region of Scotland, Glasgow is the largest city north of the border and has the third largest population in the UK.
Known predominantly for its industrial past, which included the production of items ranging from textiles, carpet, furniture, food and drink, through to explosives, chemicals and industrial machinery, Glasgow was known during the 19th century as the Second City of the Empire.
A quarter of all the world's locomotives at the time were manufactured in Glasgow, while the Clyde shipyards were bustling with workers creating seafaring vessels of every shape and size.
Over the last 200 years, Glasgow has changed significantly. Most of the shipyards are gone (although some are still in operation) and many of the factories have been replaced with world-class shopping and high-end accommodation. Indeed, the city is ranked as one of Europe's top financial centres and one of the most liveable cities in the world.
For those seeking Supply Planner roles in Glasgow, there are plenty of opportunities, whether you're interested in manufacturing, retail, technology, biosciences, finance, education, media or transport.
Indeed, just some of the companies based in Glasgow include Clydesdale Bank, BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions, BBC Scotland, The Herald and John Dewar & Sons.
There's also the Port of Glasgow and Glasgow International Airport, and the city is home to four universities, a number of colleges and several sports teams, not to mention a variety of entertainment venues.
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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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