Global Procurement & Material Planning – Senior Planner

Position: Global Procurement & Material Planning – Senior Planner

Reporting To

Global Procurement Manager / COO

Job Purpose

To manage end-to-end procurement and material planning across the group, ensuring timely availability of materials for production and customer orders. The role supports global sourcing, supplier performance, inventory optimization and supply-risk management while working closely with Sales, Production, Engineering and other regional stakeholders.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Material and Inventory Planning

• Develop material requirements based on sales forecasts, confirmed orders, production schedules, bills of materials and current inventory levels.
• Maintain an updated material plan covering demand, stock availability, open purchase orders, supplier lead times and expected delivery dates.
• Monitor inventory levels, minimum order quantities, safety stock and slow-moving or obsolete materials.
• Identify potential material shortages and take timely action to prevent production or delivery disruptions.
• Coordinate with Production, Warehouse and relevant teams on inventory accuracy and material availability.
• Review backlogs and changes in customer demand and adjust procurement priorities accordingly.

2. Global Sourcing and Procurement

• Source materials, components and services from local and international suppliers.
• Manage end-to-end procurement activities, including RFQ/RFP, quotation analysis, supplier evaluation, commercial negotiation, purchase recommendations and order placement.
• Analyse global supply markets and recommend suitable sourcing options.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality, delivery or operational requirements.
• Maintain proper procurement documentation and ensure compliance with approval procedures and company policies.

3. Supplier Management

• Conduct supplier qualification, due diligence and periodic performance reviews.
• Monitor supplier performance in relation to quality, cost, delivery, responsiveness and compliance.
• Follow up closely on purchase orders, production status, shipment schedules and delivery commitments.
• Resolve supplier-related quality, delivery and commercial issues in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Develop reliable supplier relationships across local, regional and global markets.
• Identify alternative suppliers and contingency sources to reduce supply-chain dependency and risk.

4. Commercial and Supply-Risk Management

• Support the review and negotiation of pricing, payment terms, lead times, warranties and other commercial conditions.
• Monitor potential supply risks, including capacity constraints, price fluctuations, logistics delays and geopolitical or regulatory issues.
• Recommend mitigation measures and maintain alternative sourcing plans for critical materials.
• Support supplier contracts and ensure agreed commercial terms are properly implemented.
• Track and report procurement savings, cost movements and supplier performance.

5. Stakeholder Coordination and Reporting

• Work closely with Sales, Production, Engineering, Finance, Customer Service and regional teams to align purchasing activities with business requirements.
• Provide regular updates on material availability, shortages, supplier delays, procurement risks and required decisions.
• Maintain accurate procurement and material-planning information in the ERP system.
• Prepare procurement reports and data-driven recommendations for management.
• Support new products, projects and operational expansion by identifying suitable suppliers and securing required materials.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Procurement or a related discipline.
• At least 8-10 years of relevant experience in procurement, sourcing or material planning, preferably within a manufacturing / engineering environment.
• Experience purchasing technical materials, components or fabricated products from local & overseas suppliers.
• Strong knowledge of inventory planning, bills of materials, supplier lead times and production requirements.
• Experience using ERP or material-planning systems.
• Good commercial negotiation, supplier-management and analytical skills.
• Strong Excel and reporting capabilities.
• Able to communicate effectively with suppliers and stakeholders across different countries.
• Able to manage competing priorities and respond promptly to urgent material requirements.
• Experience working in a large and multi-cultural team
• Good influencing and negotiation skills, as well as proven leadership behaviours
• Able to work independently and manage multiple priorities.