Role Overview
The MP&L Manager is responsible for leading all materials planning, logistics, inventory control, and inbound/outbound material flows within an automotive manufacturing environment. The role ensures uninterrupted production through robust planning, supplier coordination, inventory optimisation, and efficient logistics execution, while meeting customer delivery, cost, quality, and safety targets.
This position plays a critical role in balancing customer demand, production capacity, supplier performance, and inventory investment, operating in a fast-paced, high-volume, Just-In-Time (JIT) manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
Materials Planning & Production Support
- Lead the materials planning function to ensure all components and raw materials are available to support the production schedule.
- Develop and maintain MRP schedules aligned to customer demand, production plans, and capacity constraints.
- Manage schedule adherence and respond quickly to changes in customer forecasts, call-offs, and engineering changes.
- Work closely with Production, Engineering, and Quality teams to support new product introductions (NPI), model changes, and launches.
- Own material availability metrics, including line stoppages, premium freight, and material shortages.
Inventory Management & Control
- Own overall inventory strategy, ensuring optimal stock levels across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
- Drive inventory accuracy through cycle counting, audits, and system discipline.
- Reduce excess and obsolete inventory through proactive planning, supplier collaboration, and engineering change management.
- Monitor and control inventory turns, days of inventory, and working capital targets.
- Ensure compliance with internal financial controls and external audit requirements.
Supplier & Customer Management
- Act as the primary interface with suppliers on delivery performance, capacity, lead times, and escalation management.
- Drive supplier delivery KPIs, including OTIF (On Time In Full), premium freight reduction, and schedule adherence.
- Collaborate with customers to ensure accurate demand signals, ASN compliance, and delivery performance.
- Support supplier development initiatives in conjunction with Purchasing and Quality teams.
Systems, Processes & Data
- Own MP&L-related systems and data integrity (ERP/MRP), ensuring accurate master data, BOMs, lead times, and safety stocks.
- Develop and maintain robust planning and logistics processes aligned to automotive standards (IATF, customer-specific requirements).
- Produce and analyse KPIs, dashboards, and reports to drive data-led decision making.
- Lead digitalisation and system improvement initiatives within MP&L.
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, coach, and develop the MP&L team, including planners, schedulers, logistics coordinators, and warehouse staff.
- Set clear objectives, performance metrics, and development plans for direct reports.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental requirements across all MP&L activities.
Continuous Improvement & Cost Control
- Lead lean logistics initiatives, including Kanban, JIT, milk runs, and supermarket systems.
- Identify and deliver cost reduction opportunities across freight, inventory, packaging, and handling.
- Support plant-wide continuous improvement, cost-down, and operational excellence initiatives.
- Participate in internal and external audits and lead corrective action plans.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Customer delivery performance (OTIF)
- Schedule adherence
- Inventory turns and working capital
- Premium freight costs
- Supplier delivery performance
- Line stoppages due to material shortages
- Inventory accuracy
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Proven experience in an MP&L / Materials Planning / Logistics Manager role within automotive manufacturing.
- Strong understanding of JIT, MRP, Kanban, and lean manufacturing principles.
- Experience managing high-volume production in a fast-paced, customer-driven environment.
- Strong leadership experience managing cross-functional teams.
- High level of ERP/MRP system expertise (SAP, Oracle, QAD, or similar).
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
Desirable
- Experience with automotive OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers.
- Knowledge of IATF 16949 and automotive customer-specific requirements.
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Lean / Six Sigma qualification.
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