Workshop & Material Planning Manager

Job Purpose

The Workshop and Material Planning Manager is responsible for leading and standardising both Workshop and Material planning activities across the Africa region. This role ensures optimal resource allocation, the deployment of standardised tools and practices, and alignment with global planning standards. A core responsibility is to strengthen planning capabilities, drive execution efficiency, and embed a culture of continuous improvement across planning and readiness activities.

Success in this role requires strong leadership, the ability to drive transformational change, and a commitment to building and mentoring high-performing planning teams.

Job Description

• Champion a forward-looking planning culture by articulating a clear vision, aligning regional planning initiatives with long-term business goals, and inspiring cross-functional teams to innovate and adapt in a dynamic operational environment.
• Develop and implement regional planning strategies aligned with business objectives and global standards.
• Lead, mentor, and build high-performing planning teams, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement, promoting continuous professional development and training.
• Drive standardisation of planning tools, daily management, processes, and routines to enhance planning effectiveness and operational efficiency.
• Engage with key internal stakeholders to ensure integrated planning and execution.
• Ensure adherence to global planning standards, policies, and governance.
• Prepare and present regular updates on planning activities, outcomes, and improvement initiatives.
• Represent the planning function in leadership forums and cross-functional initiatives.
• Oversee workshop planning gate review process to ensure clean start readiness and consistent execution quality.
• Coordinate planning and execution across multiple sites, ensuring consistency and quality.
• Balance planning requirements with available resources across the region to maximise planning efficiency.
• Govern material master data and Bills of Materials (BoMs), ensuring accuracy and relevance.
• Provide oversight of MRP activities, ensuring master data accuracy and that MRP outputs are effectively reviewed, interpreted, and acted upon to support material availability and operational continuity.

You are meant for this job if:

• University Degree (BA/MA or BS/MS) or equivalent, or extensive operations/planning/project management experience 
• Extensive experience in material planning, with a strong understanding of supply chain and inventory management principles
• Extensive experience in workshop planning
• Strong people management and leadership skills
• Demonstrated analytical skills and business mindset
• Ability to problem solve and apply lean principles
• Capability to work independently and lead initiatives
• Proficiency with digital planning tools and systems such as SAP, MES, and Primavera P6 is highly desirable
• Experience in managing planning teams and driving standardisation