Manager, Materials Buyer

Imagine leading the strategic sourcing engine that keeps materials flowing for the world's largest jewellery brand's production. If you thrive on turning market intelligence into procurement strategy while building strong supplier partnerships, then you might be our next Manager, Materials Buyer at Pandora Production.

We love that you will…

Material Planning & Forecast-Based Purchasing

• Translate production forecasts, MPS, and MRP output into actionable purchase plans and firm orders.
• Own material requirements planning for direct materials, ensuring the right quantity arrives at the right time for the production schedule.
• Set and maintain planning parameters - lead times, safety stock, reorder points, lot sizing, MOQs - and review them as demand and supply conditions shift.
• Balance material availability against inventory cost, working to the production plan rather than to purchase orders in isolation.
• Implement data-driven demand forecasting methodologies to optimise inventory levels and reduce lead times.
• Use historical consumption data and market intelligence to anticipate changes in demand and adjust purchasing plans proactively.

Expediting & Production Support

• Expedite, de-expedite, and reschedule open orders in line with changing manufacturing requirements.
• Monitor open order books and supplier confirmations daily; escalate and resolve shortages before they impact the line.
• Act as the link between suppliers and production planning during rush changes, engineering changes, and new product introductions.
• Drive root cause analysis on material shortages and late deliveries, and close the gap so the same issue does not repeat.

Purchasing Strategy

• Lead the purchasing process for materials, ensuring timely acquisition and delivery.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive material purchasing strategy aligned with the organisation's goals and production requirements.
• Conduct regular assessments of market conditions and global trends to inform strategic purchasing decisions.
• Collaborate closely with the materials planning team to understand production forecasts and align purchasing strategies accordingly.
• Identify potential risks in the supply chain and develop mitigation strategies, establishing alternative sourcing options and contingency plans.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure a steady and reliable supply of materials.
• Monitor supplier performance - on-time delivery, lead time adherence, quality, responsiveness - and address any issues impacting material availability.
• Work closely with suppliers to resolve disputes and improve overall performance.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities and identify opportunities for collaboration and improvement.

Inventory Management

• Implement and maintain effective inventory control measures to minimise excess or obsolete stock.
• Ensure all activities of the buyer function have an optimised impact on inventory.
• Apply inventory management techniques such as just-in-time (JIT), vendor-managed inventory (VMI), or economic order quantity (EOQ) to minimise carrying costs while ensuring sufficient stock to meet demand.

Team Leadership

• Lead and manage a team of direct materials buyers, providing guidance, support, coaching, and training.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance team culture.
• Set performance goals for the team and monitor progress regularly.

Collaboration

• Partner with cross-functional teams - production, production planning, logistics, quality, and finance - to align material management with organisational goals.
• Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders to understand material requirements and resolve issues early.

Continuous Improvement

• Implement continuous improvement initiatives within the material management function to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Regularly review and optimise planning and purchasing processes, identifying opportunities for automation and streamlining.
• Foster a culture of innovation within the team, encouraging the adoption of best practices and new technologies.

We love that you are…

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required; Industrial Engineering preferred.
• 5 years or more of work experience in material procurement, material planning, or materials management - including hands-on experience buying to a production forecast and expediting materials against a manufacturing schedule.
• Practical working knowledge of MRP/MPS, planning parameters, and open order management in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent leadership and team management abilities.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Deep knowledge of inventory and supply chain management.
• Knowledge of material planning and purchasing regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, effectively managing tasks under tight deadlines while maintaining a positive and solution-oriented attitude.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent English communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Outlook, and ERP systems (SAP, o9, Dynamics AX).

Advantageous

• Experience in a make-to-forecast or mixed make-to-order manufacturing environment.
• APICS CPIM / CSCP or equivalent planning certification.
• Coaching skills; data analytics and Power BI skills; coding.
• Willingness to travel occasionally.

About Pandora

Pandora is the world's largest jewellery brand, specialising in the design, crafting and marketing of accessible luxury jewellery made from high-quality materials. Each piece is created to inspire self-expression, allowing people to share their stories and passions through meaningful jewellery. Pandora jewellery is sold in more than 100 countries through 6,800 points of sale, including more than 2,700 concept stores.

Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, Pandora employs 37,000 people worldwide and crafts its jewellery using only recycled silver and gold. Pandora is committed to leadership in sustainability and has set out to halve greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2030. Pandora is listed on the Nasdaq Copenhagen stock exchange and generated revenue of DKK 31.7 billion (EUR 4.2 billion) in 2024.

About Pandora Production Thailand

Pandora started crafting its jewellery in Thailand in 1989, where our founders fell in love with the delicate craftsmanship of the Thai people. To date, there are two crafting facilities in Thailand, Bangkok and Lamphun, and we employ more than 13,000 skilled craftspeople. By the end of 2024, 113 million pieces sold globally were all hand-finished here in Thailand by our skilled craftspeople using high-quality raw materials and sustainable methods.