Supply-Production Planner

Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection - growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.

At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

What are we looking for?...

Synthomer is seeking a Production & Supply Planner to join our team. If you're equally passionate about customer experience, supply chain, & continuous improvement, this opportunity may be for you! We are seeking an experienced supply chain professional with a background in production planning/scheduling and inventory management.

What you’ll own in this role…

In this role, you will ensure Synthomer is providing a best-in-class customer experience by creating and managing a production plan / schedule to ensure on time delivery, optimized inventory levels, and equipment utilization through data-driven analysis and decision making, and building relationships with our internal partners including our customer service, production, procurement, logistics, commercial teams (both domestic and international), and warehouses and distribution centers. The position requires analytical skills, strong influence and communication skills, and the ability to develop and execute complex plans in support of business, customer and manufacturing strategies. The duties include (but are not limited) to the following:

• Own, create, and manage a weekly/daily SAP production schedule in alignment with Integrated Business Plan Master Production Schedule to ensure on time delivery, optimized inventory levels, and equipment utilization and efficiency.
• Communicate plan/schedule to all stakeholders.
• Drive SAP system utilization.
• Collaborate across production sites to ensure fulfillment of interplant requirements.
• Drive schedule attainment and communicate any deviations, challenges, or abnormalities in schedule to external stakeholders including Procurement, Logistics, Production, Regional Supply Chain Manager, and Customer Service.
• Collaborate and initiate communications globally with customer service, production, warehouse, procurement, and logistics to align on forecast and order quantities to ensure a seamless flow of supply.
• Assist in development of logistics requirements forecast in collaboration with Logistics
• Analyze key metrics including: On time to promise, on time to request, schedule attainment, and inventory and facilitate/drive continuous improvement to address root causes.
• Identify, communicate and escalate variance from plan, as well as anticipate potential issues, develop sound recovery plans, ensure execution of plans, & communicate status to all relevant parties
• Model "what-if" scenarios and propose optimized solutions based on variable supply/demand conditions.
• Assist with inventory adjustment analysis including storage location proposals.
• Execute the business plan inventory targets. Refresh the safety stock, target stock and cycle stock calculations a minimum of twice a year.
• Maintain SAP master data/MRP data integrity.
• Facilitate the maintenance of accurate inventory. Coordinate and participate in inventory cycle counting and annual physical inventory according to objectives and communicate results.
• Review slow-moving and blocked inventory and facilitate disposition on a monthly basis.
• Analyze inventory position versus requirements and adjust plan to replenish.
• Participate in cross-functional reviews, driving operational improvement in the supply chain.
• Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of key customers, markets and products in area of responsibility.
• Improve planning effectiveness via development and/or enhancement of planning models, processes and tools.
• Support a collaborative, innovative, and results-oriented environment with peers and cross-functional partners. Drive ongoing collaboration with peers to ensure consistency of information, share best practices, and develop systems knowledge.
• Facilitate/participate in daily production meetings.

What you’ll need to be successful…

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Business, Operations, or related field
• 3+ years of supply chain and/or materials management experience, significant experience in production planning or scheduling
• Ability to effectively operate both independently and as part of a team
• Take initiative to anticipate problems and compile solutions for consideration
• Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated analytical skills and experience processing all relevant details, understanding and prioritizing their importance, and drawing clear and concise conclusions
• Demonstrated leadership qualities including ability to drive improvements, make decisions, influence others and seek consensus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Intermediate to advanced skill level in Microsoft Excel, SQL experience a plus
• Proficiency in planning/scheduling, OMP desirable
• SAP experience preferred
• Experience communicating with business partners and cross-functional teams at various levels

Qualifications that can set you apart …

• Intermediate to experienced skill level and understanding of procurement, customer service, and logistics/transportation
• APICS certification
• Experience in chemical manufacturing
• Supervisory experience
• Lean Six Sigma experience
• Experience in SAP 4 HANA

Global Benefits Overview

• Competitive, market-aligned compensation

• Discretionary global bonus scheme

• Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) - for senior positions

• Company car or car allowance - varies by region and role

• Healthcare - tailored to regional locations

• Parental leave and family support - maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)

• Working options - flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs

• Learning & development opportunities - training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers

• Wellbeing support - employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives

• Retirement / pension contributions - plans vary by country

• Culture of Inclusion - where everyone can thrive

• Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes