As a Lead Material Planning Specialist, you will have a direct impact on production continuity and customer satisfaction by ensuring the timely availability of materials. This role is cross-functional, working closely with procurement, production, design, and project management teams to improve planning accuracy, reduce stock shortages, and minimize excess inventory.

Job Description

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Maintain data relevant to material requirements planning activities including sourcing and replenishment, supplier, planning calendar, material, and location data.
• Lead regular Material Review Board (MRB) meetings and be responsible to share outcomes to stakeholders (finance, engineering, sales, plant) to optimize obsolete inventory.
• Manage inventory control activities; excess and obsolete material elimination, maintain inventory accuracy, analyze, and improve material movement and establish inventory locations and utilize inventory space.
• Improve the efficiency of inbound order management and incoming goods process. Implement Kanban/VMI best practice tools and processes to reduce/maintain the optimum DoH / inventory levels.
• Responsible for Cycle Counting program, ensuring counts are done daily and timely resolution of discrepancies.
• Planning, creating, and processing timely requisitions and purchase orders for critical materials
• Tracking critical orders, ensuring on-time deliveries
• Working with Quality Assurance for inspection upon delivery to ensure orders are filled correctly and that goods meet specifications
• Developing strong relationships with key suppliers and measure suppliers’ performance based on quality, delivery, and service level
• Communicating with suppliers daily and organizing meetings and projects as needed to resolve supply issues
• Working with other internal departments such as finance, sales, and operations to resolve issues and concerns
• Initiating actions on non-quality / missing/damaged materials and following through the resolution with suppliers
• Contact with supplier in case of non-quality / missing/damaged materials

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in disciplines such as economics, engineering, business administration, or supply chain management
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in material management or planning
• Strong verbal and written English and Turkish language skills
• Experience in SAP ERP, procurement /supply chain project deployment
• Ability to use MS Office programs efficiently

Desired Characteristics:

• Strong analytical skills
• Strong negotiation skills
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage diverse stakeholders
• Solid organizational and time management abilities; capable of handling multiple priorities
• Problem-solving mindset with a focus on delivering results under pressure
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally and drive collaboration across teams
• Customer-oriented approach with a strong focus on quality and service excellence
• Ability to adapt to dynamic environments and maintain a proactive, solution-driven attitude

Additional Information