A materials planner oversees supply management and inventory procurement for manufacturing organizations. People in this profession manage the flow of raw materials so that the business has enough inventory to produce its products without having to keep massive volumes of material in storage for an extended time. Materials planners often do product management in a manufacturing setting. Continue reading to discover more about this profession's duties and income potential.

Who is a Material Planner?

A material planner is a specialist in charge of organizing and controlling the processes involved in acquiring materials. The material planner collaborates with suppliers to ensure that the right supplies are delivered on time and in the right quantities.

What are the roles and responsibilities of a Material Planner?

• Figuring out the items needed and creating purchase orders.
• Ensuring that materials are cost-effective, satisfy requirements, and meet quality standards.
• Assuring a steady and sufficient supply of the raw materials required for production.
• Coordinating production objectives, deadlines, supplier payments, etc., with other divisions.
• Keeping track of manufacturing volume and keeping an eye on consumer demand and spending trends.
• Scheduling and controlling the supply of goods and their delivery.
• Communicating with clients, partners, and distributors.
• Taking care of cancellations, timetable adjustments, and inventory problems.
• Preparing performance reports and cost forecasts.

How to Become a Material Planner: Qualifications

Technical expertise

Your technical talents are the aptitudes that enable you to carry out your position's responsibilities. Technical abilities are crucial for a planner because they allow you to produce an exact and comprehensive thorough strategy.

Communication Skills

As a planner, you interact with many different people, such as clients, engineers, salespeople, and other planners. Apparent communication abilities can aid in connection building and the precise transmission of information. You should also contact manufacturers and suppliers to learn more about the products and prices.

Problem-solving skills

You can have the duty of coming up with answers to problems that come up during the planning phase. For instance, you might need to find a substitute or figure out a means to get by without the materials if a supplier doesn't have them. Similarly, you might have to make do with less if a provider only has a finite supply of a particular material.

Organizational abilities

For a planner, having organizational skills is also essential. They assist them in keeping track of all the data required to finish their assignments. Their ability to be organized also enables them to maintain a clutter-free workspace. They can easily and quickly find the information they need thanks to this.

Project administration

An essential attribute for a planner can be strong project management abilities. They can use their expertise in project management to ensure the project is finished on schedule and within budget. They can use their project management abilities to ensure the project gets the labor and materials needed to succeed.

Other Skills

• Good communication skill
• Negotiation skill
• Problem-solving skill
• Quantity control skill
• Forecasting skill
• Time management skills
• Project Management

Steps to Becoming a Successful Material Planner

Academic Requirements

• GED or high school diploma is necessary.
• It is preferable to have a degree in business, logistics, inventory management, or a similar profession.
• Substantial time- and project management abilities.
• Understanding of supply chain management and manufacturing procedures.
• Good written and verbal communication abilities.
• Proficiency with material management systems and Microsoft Office.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Acquire more knowledge after high school

A bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline is typically needed to work as a material planner. The most popular majors for material planners are supply chain management, industrial engineering, and business.

Experience (work and related fields)

A bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, or a similar discipline is required to work as a materials planner. Additionally, it would help if you had several years of expertise in inventory management. Since they will have expertise with duties and obligations similar to their jobs, most employers favor candidates who have worked in the same area. You can distinguish yourself from other applicants with the help of the Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CIPM) credential.

Training (job or related fields)

When they start a new career, most material planners receive on-the-job training. This training could range from a few weeks to a few months. It might involve shadowing existing material planners and carrying out tasks under close supervision until they feel confident enough to finish them independently.

Career

For organizations that frequently require massive moves of materials, the position of the material planner is crucial. Material planners work with such organizations to ensure that materials' movement and storage are well-planned and affordable. Here are several occupations and job titles appropriate for this position.

Employment areas

• Manufacturing Company
• Automobile firm
• Airline Company
• Shipping company
• E-commerce Company
• Shipping company
• Logistics Company

Job titles

• Logistics Manager
• Supply Chain Manager
• Purchasing Manager
• Inventory Manager
• Production Planner
• Demand Planner

Salary of Material Planner

Let us see the average annual salary of a Material Planner in some popular countries.

Training Course for Material Planners

Let us talk about some degree to become a successful Material Planner.

Pros and Cons of Becoming a Material Planner

All actions connected to the acquisition of materials must be managed and coordinated by the material planner. The material planner collaborates with suppliers to ensure that the right supplies are delivered on time and in the right quantities. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of working as a material planner.

Benefits of becoming a Material Planner

• Exceptional job satisfaction.
• Save businesses a sizable sum of money.
• Demonstrate a high level of responsibility.
• The capacity for decision-making.
• Receives a competitive salary.
• It is a flexible and exciting position.
• There are employment opportunities in a variety of sectors and locales.
• The alternatives for travel are excellent.

Disadvantages of becoming a Material Planner

• Tensions and staff concerns could arise.
• Able to work long hours regularly.
• Spend a lot of time away from home.
• A potentially stressful job.
• Tedious and exhausting tasks.
• Meet the demands and needs of the company.
• No family time.

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How to Become a Material Planner FAQs

Is material planning a stressful job?

The job can sometimes become stressful when manufacturing deadlines are pressing or issues with the supply chain. However, most material planners find their careers exciting and demanding, and they appreciate seeing the end products of their labor.

Is material planner part of the supply chain?

People in this profession manage the flow of raw materials so that the business has enough inventory to produce its products without having to keep massive volumes of material in storage for an extended time. A materials planner typically holds a degree in supply chain management, logistics, or a related field.

Why is material planning essential?

Ensures that the appropriate inventory is accessible for the production process precisely when required and at the most affordable price, which is done mainly through sophisticated software. MRP boosts manufacturing operations' productivity, adaptability, and profitability in this way.

What is the main objective of material planning?

Material planning assists in creating a manufacturing plan for completed items by determining the components and raw materials that must be kept in stock. MRP lowers inventory levels, shortens customer lead times, ensures that materials and components will be accessible when needed, and increases customer satisfaction.

What is the difference between a buyer and a material planner?

Simply put, a Planner oversees inventory records like receipts and timing of ownership, whereas a Buyer is in order of product data like vendors and costs.

Where do material planners work?

The timely and sufficient supply of the materials required for production is the responsibility of material planners, who often operate in a manufacturing context.