Raw Material Planner

​At Ontex, we are making everyday life easier across generations. Worldwide our 5,000 colleagues are taking pride in their work, guided by our values – Passion, Reliability, Integrity, Drive and Everyone. Every day they are developing, producing, and distributing affordable and sustainable baby, woman and adult personal care products.

As a leading international provider of personal hygiene solutions for retailer brands and healthcare partners, founded in Belgium in 1979 and listed on Euronext Brussels, we believe that innovation should be accessible to everyone.

As we continue being 'Here for you’, we’re looking for a Raw Material Planner to join our Supply Chain, Planning, Logistics team.
 

Why does this job exist at Ontex?

The Raw Material Planner is responsible for developing and executing raw material planning and replenishment strategies that support production requirements, inventory objectives, and customer service goals. This role ensures material availability through effective execution of MRP processes, supplier collaboration, inventory optimization, and cross-functional coordination while minimizing inventory investment, obsolescence, and supply chain risks.

How big is the job?

The Raw Material Planner serves as a subject matter expert in materials planning and supplier management, providing leadership in inventory control, risk mitigation, process improvement initiatives, and supply continuity strategies to support Ontex's operational and commercial objectives.

What am I expected to deliver, and what are my main tasks?

• Develop, manage, and execute raw material planning strategies to ensure uninterrupted supply for manufacturing operations.
• Execute and analyze MRP processes and planning parameters to determine purchasing requirements aligned with production plans and customer demand.
• Review and manage MRP exception messages, shortages, and replenishment recommendations.
• Create and manage purchase requisitions and purchase orders to ensure timely material availability.
• Balance material demand and supply through proactive planning, rescheduling activities, and inventory optimization.
• Maintain appropriate safety stock levels and inventory policies to meet business objectives while minimizing excess inventory and obsolescence.
• Support material ramp-up and ramp-down activities associated with new product launches, transitions, and discontinuations. Monitor logistics performance and coordinate expedited freight as necessary.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for suppliers regarding forecasts, purchase orders, delivery performance, shortages, and issue resolution.
• Conduct regular supplier reviews to assess capacity, delivery performance, and risk exposure.
• Communicate long-term forecasts and purchasing requirements to suppliers to ensure supply continuity.
• Coordinate supplier development initiatives and support qualification of new suppliers when required.
• Monitor and improve supplier OTIF performance through collaboration and corrective actions.
• Manage supplier escalations and drive resolution of supply disruptions.
• Analyze and control inventory levels to achieve business targets for working capital, service, and inventory turns.
• Identify and implement inventory reduction opportunities while protecting customer service and production continuity.
• Monitor slow-moving and obsolete inventory and develop mitigation strategies.
• Drive inventory accuracy and support cycle count and inventory reconciliation activities.
• Develop inventory projections and risk assessments for management review.
• Will need to back up production planning as and when needed by the business

With whom do I need to collaborate to get the job done?

• Partner closely with Production Planning, Demand Planning, Procurement, Manufacturing, Logistics, Warehousing, Customer Service, Quality, R&D, Finance, and Supply Excellence teams.
• Support new product introductions and commercialization projects by ensuring timely material availability.
• Collaborate with Accounts Payable and Finance to resolve invoice discrepancies, pricing issues, and supplier payment concerns.
• Communicate material risks, constraints, and recovery plans to stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Directly impacts production continuity, inventory performance, working capital, supplier service, and customer OTIF results.

How complex is the stuff I’m dealing with, and how do I solve problems?

• Responsible for the planning and replenishment of a broad portfolio of raw materials supporting manufacturing operations.
• Manages relationships with multiple domestic and international suppliers.
• Drives planning strategies to maintain optimal inventory levels while balancing service, cost, and risk objectives.
• Encounter differing situations that require identifying issues, applying judgment, and selecting solutions based on expertise and acquired knowledge.
• Look for solutions in multiple procedures, standards, or precedents to find the best possible outcome.

What do I need to be successful in this job?

• Bachelor's degree Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• 3+ years of prior experience in supply planning, demand planning, operations, or inventory management, and interaction with suppliers.
• Proficiency in MS Office, ERP systems, and SAP.
• Lean Six Sigma or CPIM certification or equivalent experience.
• Deep understanding of the material supply chain process at a global level.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail.

​If you're passionate about the role and believe you would be a great fit, we'd love to hear from you. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact our HR department at jaime.miller@ontexglobal.com.

Here for you.

   ontex.com