What does a Material Planner Do?

Material Planner

The material planner is an essential part of the manufacturing team and ensures the flow of materials necessary for all manufacturing operations. These planners ensure that their company never runs out of necessary manufacturing materials. They work both as part of a team and independently in a variety of settings.

Depending on the industry and type of manufacturing, material planners may be required to perform physically intensive work, such as surveying inventory and inspecting the production line. They also may be required to work in spaces that are not temperature controlled. They typically work regular business hours but may be required to come in on evenings or weekends when working on large orders or to address production issues.

Material Planner Duties and Responsibilities

Specific job duties for material planners vary based on their employer. However, there are several core tasks common across the field, such as:

Manage Production Flow

Material planners ensure the steady flow of materials necessary for operating a manufacturing line. Because manufacturers have limited storage space for raw materials, planners make sure there’s adequate supply without over-ordering or wasting resources.

Ensure Product Supply

These planners manage the supply of products to customers, making sure there are adequate materials to ensure steady production and product delivery to customers. They monitor materials flow to identify bottlenecks and forecast problems.

Maintain Inventory

Material planners observe trends and customer requests to create and maintain inventory schedules. Keeping track of production volume and purchasing expectations help material planners make sure the right number of products and manufacturing materials is always available.

Track Material Shipments

Organizing and scheduling customer deliveries are the material planner’s responsibility. They sometimes also process customer shipment inquiries or complaints and schedule changes or cancellations for shipment orders.

Communication with Other Departments

Material planners act as liaisons between manufacturing and other departments. They receive project plans and additional information to determine timelines and necessary materials. They also work to coordinate supplier payments with the accounting department.

Written By
Gazi Sanaul Hasan