Materials Planning Lead

About the role

The Material Planning Team Lead is responsible for leading and developing the Material Planning team to ensure uninterrupted material supply, inventory optimization, and operational excellence across the site. This role serves as the subject matter expert for material planning processes, driving effective supplier collaboration, cross-functional stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement initiatives to support business objectives and customer service requirements.

Work Location : 1 Powerhouse - Bandar Utama - 5 mins walk from Bandar Utama MRT Station

Reporting to : Planning Manager

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, coach, and develop the Material Planning team to foster a high-performing, collaborative, and customer-focused culture.
• Provide guidance and expertise on material planning processes, systems, and best practices.
• Set clear team objectives, monitor performance, and drive accountability for operational and service delivery targets.
• Ensure adequate workload management, resource planning, and capability development within the team.

Material Planning & Supply Management

• Oversee material planning activities to ensure timely material availability in support of production and customer requirements.
• Monitor planning alerts, including rescheduling messages, over-coverage, under-coverage, and shortage reporting, proactively identifying risks and implementing mitigation plans.
• Review material supply constraints and communicate impacts, risks, and recovery actions effectively to business stakeholders.
• Ensure accuracy and maintenance of planning master data, including material parameters, lead times, sourcing information, and planning settings.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities by coordinating material readiness and planning requirements.

Supplier & Operational Management

• Lead daily operational reviews covering supplier delivery performance, inbound material shortages, open purchase orders, and supplier confirmations.
• Manage escalations related to material supply issues, working closely with Procurement, Manufacturing, Warehousing, and suppliers to resolve challenges.
• Participate in supplier performance reviews and provide planning insights to support supplier relationship management and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure effective execution of indirect material procurement activities, including packaging, pallets, and other operational supplies.

Tolling & Subcontracting Coordination

• Oversee material dispatch and replenishment activities for tolling and subcontract manufacturing operations, ensuring component and inventory accuracy within ERP systems.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to maintain continuity of supply and service delivery.

Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex material planning issues affecting business operations.
• Facilitate effective communication with Procurement, Operations, Customer Service, Supply Planning, and external suppliers through SAP planning tools, Teams, email, and other communication platforms.
• Ensure planning exceptions, risks, and service impacts are proactively communicated and managed.
• Performance Management & Continuous Improvement
• Track, analyze, and report key Material Planning KPIs, including supplier OTIF, material availability, inventory health, and planning effectiveness.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve planning accuracy, supplier performance, inventory management, and process efficiency.
• Ensure planning teams consistently utilize root cause analysis and reason codes to identify recurring issues and implement sustainable corrective actions.

Professional Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Logistics, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
• Experience
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in Supply Chain Planning, Material Planning, Procurement, or related Supply Chain functions.
• At least 1 year of experience leading, coaching, or managing a team.
• Experience within a manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Food Ingredients, Food Manufacturing, Beverage, FMCG, or Consumer Goods industry experience is advantageous.

Technical Skills

• Experience using ERP systems, preferably SAP.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with Power BI or other reporting and analytics tools is advantageous.
• Strong understanding of MRP, inventory management, supplier management, and material planning processes.

Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication capabilities.
• Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple activities in a fast-paced environment.
• Continuous improvement mindset with experience driving operational efficiencies.

About us

Founded in 1972 in Co. Kerry, Ireland, the Kerry Group has annualised sales in excess of €7 Billion and supplies over 18,000 food ingredients and flavour products to customers in more than 140 countries worldwide. We have established over 150 manufacturing sites, operate in over 30 countries, and employ 25,000 people worldwide. Kerry has been present in the Asia-Pacific region since 1997 and has grown its business to become a supplier of choice for regional and local customers. With over 4,500 employees across the Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA), Kerry has many exciting opportunities at Development & Application Centres, Sales Offices and Manufacturing sites across 18 countries.