MRP Team Lead (Buffer)

Overview:

We are looking for an experienced MRP Team Lead to oversee Material Requirements Planning for a key product category across the GCC Cluster. This role plays a central part in ensuring materials availability to support production plans and meet market demand, while guiding a team of planners and partnering closely with our regional Supply Planning Hub.

As the main connection between the GCC Planning Hub, Market teams, and Supply Planning, you will drive visibility, alignment, and operational excellence in material planning, ensuring we deliver strong service levels, optimize working capital, and support future business growth.

Responsibilities:

What You’ll Do

Team & Planning Leadership

• Lead and develop a team of 6–9 MRP Planners, Innovation Coordinators, and MDMs.

• Own weekly and daily material plans, including issuance of purchase orders to suppliers.

• Represent Material Planning in discussions with Factory Supply Planners for in-scope materials.

• Ensure the cluster’s material plans are aligned with production needs and adopted by Supply Planning.

Operational Excellence & Collaboration

• Partner daily with GCC Supply Planning to match materials to production plans.

• Share a 16-week forward visibility plan with central teams and relevant suppliers.

• Coordinate PIPO activities with Innovation teams to ensure smooth launches and minimal obsoletes.

• Proactively flag risks that may impact manufacturing continuity and collaborate on mitigation.

Performance, Analytics & Supplier Management

• Deliver all material planning KPIs and complete RCA for any issues.

• Lead daily/weekly interactions with suppliers to ensure timely delivery and performance improvements.

• Own end-to-end inventory analytics, including excess, ageing and reduction initiatives.

• Provide insights and reporting to leadership for decision-making.

Systems, Automation & Best Practices

• Promote “run-to-standard” practices, system adoption and compliance within Material Planning.

• Collaborate with IT to develop tools that enhance planning efficiency.

• Apply RPA opportunities in current processes to drive automation and simplification.

• Bring external and market best practices to elevate cluster material planning.

Qualifications:

What We’re Looking For

Education & Experience

• MBA or degree in Operations, Supply Chain, or Engineering (preferred).

• 6–8 years of experience in Supply Chain Planning (Demand, Supply or Material Planning).

• Proven experience leading teams (6–9 direct reports).

• Strong understanding of end-to-end planning processes.

• ERP systems knowledge.

• High proficiency in Excel; familiarity with reporting/querying tools.
• Strong leadership, team coaching and stakeholder management.
• Advanced analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Solid knowledge of MRP and production planning principles.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to lead a key planning function for a major category in the GCC Cluster.

• High-impact role with visibility across Planning, Operations, and Market teams.

• A dynamic environment focused on continuous improvement, innovation, and growth.

• Chance to shape processes, drive automation, and strengthen performance across the cluster.