Our client based near London Bridge is looking for a Materials and Planning lead to join their team on a permanent basis, working 5 days a week onsite.
About the Organisation
A growing, specialist life sciences company operating at the cutting edge of advanced therapy development. With a strong focus on clinical-stage manufacturing, the organisation is committed to delivering high-quality, regulated products that have the potential to transform patient outcomes. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and mission-driven team at a pivotal stage of growth.
The Role
The Materials & Planning Lead plays a central role in ensuring the smooth and compliant flow of materials, production scheduling, and logistics across clinical manufacturing operations. This is a hands-on leadership position sitting at the heart of the supply chain function, working cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, procurement, and regulatory teams to ensure materials are available, schedules are met, and products reach their destination on time and in full.
Key Responsibilities
Materials Requirements Planning
- Develop and manage MRP processes to maintain optimal inventory levels across raw materials, components, and finished goods
- Work closely with procurement, suppliers, and quality teams to ensure timely material availability in line with GMP requirements
- Monitor usage, support demand forecasting, and adjust supply plans to prevent shortages or excess inventory
- Identify supply risks and contribute to contingency planning for critical materials
Production Planning
- Create and maintain production schedules aligned to clinical and drug product demand
- Coordinate with manufacturing, quality, and regulatory teams to ensure timelines and compliance standards are met
- Track production progress, flag bottlenecks, and support improvement initiatives to enhance throughput and reduce lead times
- Contribute to capacity planning and process optimisation efforts
Logistics & Distribution
- Manage inventory storage, 3PL relationships, and distribution activities including all associated documentation
- Plan and coordinate domestic and international shipments, ensuring full compliance with customs, import/export regulations, and transportation requirements
- Develop and maintain contingency plans to mitigate supply disruptions
Supplier Relationship Management
- Support the implementation and maintenance of supplier management processes focused on quality and cost efficiency
- Maintain clear communication with suppliers and support performance review processes
- Contribute to continuous improvement and long-term partnership development
Data Management & Reporting
- Use planning systems and tools to track inventory, materials, and production data
- Prepare regular reports on planning performance, KPIs, and operational efficiency
- Present analysis and recommendations to senior stakeholders to support decision-making and cost optimisation
Compliance & Quality
- Ensure all activities comply with GMP standards and relevant regulatory requirements
- Support document control, batch record management, and quality assurance processes
- Contribute to the development of compliant supply chain systems and support regulatory submission documentation as required
What We're Looking For
Experience
- Minimum 3 years in a materials planning, supply chain, or operations role within biotech, pharmaceutical, or life sciences
- Experience in an ATMP, cell therapy, or gene therapy environment is highly desirable
- Proven experience managing logistics including cold chain and temperature-sensitive products
- Demonstrated experience working within GMP-regulated manufacturing settings
- Some line management or team leadership experience
Technical Skills
- Proficiency in MRP or ERP planning systems
- Strong understanding of GMP and associated regulatory frameworks
- Familiarity with cold chain logistics and international shipping requirements
- Comfortable preparing and presenting data-driven reports and analysis