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Materials Planner - Job Opportunity at Ornua Co-operative Limited

Mitchelstown, Ireland
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: June 14, 2025
On-site
€45,000 - €55,000 annually based on Irish market rates for mid-level materials planning roles in large manufacturing organizations. The cooperative structure and international scope of Ornua, combined with the strategic importance of this role in their €3.5 billion operation, likely positions compensation at the higher end of this range with potential for performance-based increases.

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic materials procurement and scheduling decisions that directly impact production efficiency and on-time delivery performance at a €3.5 billion dairy cooperative's flagship Kerrygold Park facility
Lead end-to-end supply chain coordination by managing Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems to transform market forecasts into actionable production schedules that ensure uninterrupted manufacturing operations
Orchestrate complex packaging logistics operations including consigned inventory management and distribution order optimization across multiple warehouse locations to maximize supply chain efficiency
Execute proactive demand analysis and risk management by monitoring forecast accuracy versus actual orders, identifying potential stockout scenarios, and implementing preventive measures to protect production continuity
Build and maintain strategic supplier partnerships through performance scorecards and structured communication protocols that enhance supply chain reliability and cost optimization
Optimize inventory investment decisions by balancing minimum order quantities, economic order quantities, and demand forecasts to maintain optimal working capital while ensuring production security
Lead cross-functional collaboration with production planning, warehouse operations, and logistics teams to create integrated daily delivery schedules that maximize operational efficiency
Manage strategic material transitions and new product introductions with focus on economic changeover planning and minimal production disruption
Drive financial accuracy and supplier relationship integrity through proactive invoice query resolution and collaborative problem-solving with finance and supplier teams
Maintain critical enterprise resource planning (ERP) system data integrity including purchase agreements, bills of materials, and item master data that supports accurate production planning and cost management

Requirements

Education

Degree qualified

Required Skills

Capable of building and maintaining good working relationships with customers and suppliers The successful candidate will understand the requirements of manufacturing and supply chain, and how all interact daily Possess a desire to continuously improve Ambitious and results driven IT literate with good Excel skills Encourages co-operation in your own team and supports cross functional learning Communicates confidently, adapting style for different situations Clarifies accountabilities, overlaps and gaps, and helps others remain motivated through difficult times Helps others to accept change, implement change, and looks ahead to anticipate change
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The global dairy industry is experiencing unprecedented supply chain complexity due to increasing regulatory requirements around food safety and traceability, making materials planning roles more critical than ever. Companies are investing heavily in integrated ERP systems and demand planning technologies to manage multi-country operations and ensure compliance across diverse regulatory environments. This trend is particularly pronounced in cooperative structures like Ornua where coordination across multiple member processors requires sophisticated materials management capabilities. Sustainability initiatives are reshaping packaging procurement strategies in the food industry, with companies facing pressure to transition to recyclable and biodegradable materials while maintaining product quality and shelf life. Materials planners are becoming key strategic roles in managing these complex transitions, requiring deep understanding of both traditional and innovative packaging solutions along with the economic implications of material changeovers. Brexit and ongoing geopolitical tensions have created new challenges for European food exporters, particularly Irish companies that historically relied on UK distribution networks. Materials planners in companies like Ornua must now navigate more complex customs requirements, longer lead times, and multiple currency exposures while maintaining competitive cost structures across 110+ export markets.

Role Significance

Typically manages relationships with 15-25 key suppliers while collaborating closely with a core team of 3-5 production planners, warehouse supervisors, and logistics coordinators. The role likely involves indirect influence over a broader network of 20-30 warehouse and logistics personnel across multiple facilities.
This is a strategically important mid-level position with significant operational impact and cross-functional influence. The role holder will have direct responsibility for materials flow that affects production schedules worth millions of euros monthly, indicating substantial trust and accountability. The position reports likely to a Supply Chain Manager or Operations Director level, with potential dotted-line relationships to Production Planning and Procurement leadership.

Key Projects

Implementation of advanced demand forecasting systems that integrate market intelligence with production planning to reduce inventory holding costs while improving service levels Leading supplier consolidation initiatives that reduce complexity while improving negotiating power and supply chain resilience Managing new product introduction projects that require coordination of packaging design, supplier qualification, and production line changeover planning Developing and implementing sustainability-focused packaging transitions that meet environmental goals while maintaining cost competitiveness and product quality standards

Success Factors

Deep understanding of dairy manufacturing processes and the unique requirements of perishable product supply chains, including temperature-controlled logistics and shelf-life management considerations that directly impact inventory turnover and waste reduction Advanced proficiency in ERP systems (likely SAP or Oracle) combined with strong analytical skills in Excel and potentially specialized demand planning software, enabling data-driven decision making in complex multi-site operations Exceptional supplier relationship management capabilities that balance cost optimization with supply security, particularly important given Ireland's geographic position and the need for both local and international sourcing strategies Cross-cultural communication skills essential for managing supplier relationships across multiple countries and time zones, reflecting Ornua's global operation spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, and Americas

Market Demand

High demand driven by increased complexity in global supply chains and the critical nature of materials planning in food manufacturing. The combination of ERP system expertise, supplier relationship management, and understanding of manufacturing operations makes qualified candidates relatively scarce in the Irish market.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

ERP system proficiency is absolutely essential as materials planning in a €3.5 billion operation requires real-time visibility into inventory, production schedules, and supplier performance across multiple facilities. The complexity of managing 12 production facilities and 110 export markets demands sophisticated system capabilities and the ability to interpret and act on complex data sets. Supplier relationship management skills are critical given the international scope of Ornua's operations and the need to balance cost, quality, and supply security across diverse markets. The ability to build trust and maintain performance standards with suppliers across different cultures and business practices directly impacts production reliability and cost competitiveness. Advanced Excel and analytical capabilities are fundamental for demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and supplier performance analysis. The role requires ability to translate market intelligence and production requirements into actionable procurement decisions that optimize working capital while ensuring production continuity.

Beneficial Skills

Knowledge of dairy industry regulations and quality standards across multiple markets would accelerate effectiveness in this role, given the complexity of food safety requirements and export certifications required for 110+ country operations Experience with sustainability and packaging innovation would be valuable as the industry transitions toward more environmentally friendly packaging solutions while maintaining product quality and shelf life requirements Understanding of agricultural seasonality and commodity market dynamics would enhance forecasting accuracy and supplier negotiation effectiveness, particularly important in a cooperative structure where raw material availability fluctuates with seasonal production patterns

Unique Aspects

This role offers rare exposure to cooperative business structures in a global context, providing insight into how farmer-owned organizations compete with multinational corporations in sophisticated international markets
The position combines traditional manufacturing materials planning with the complexities of premium food brand management, requiring understanding of both cost optimization and brand quality standards
Working with Ornua provides access to the complete dairy value chain from farm to consumer, including exposure to agricultural seasonality factors that impact materials planning in ways not seen in other manufacturing industries
the role offers involvement in one of Europe's most successful agricultural export stories, with potential for international assignments across Ornua's global operations

Career Growth

Progression to senior roles typically occurs within 3-5 years for high performers who demonstrate strong analytical capabilities and supplier relationship management skills, with potential acceleration given Ornua's ambitious growth plans outlined in their 'Path to Prosper' strategy.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Materials Manager overseeing multiple production facilities and managing a team of materials planners across Ornua's 12 global production sites Supply Chain Manager with responsibility for end-to-end supply chain strategy including procurement, logistics, and inventory optimization across multiple business units Demand Planning Manager focusing on forecast accuracy improvement and S&OP process leadership across Ornua's diverse product portfolio Category Procurement Manager specializing in packaging or ingredients procurement with strategic sourcing responsibilities across the cooperative's member network

Company Overview

Ornua Co-operative Limited

Ornua represents a unique position in the global dairy industry as Ireland's largest dairy exporter and a cooperative structure that combines the advantages of scale with farmer ownership. With €3.5 billion in annual sales and operations in 110 countries, the company bridges traditional Irish dairy farming with sophisticated global food marketing, particularly through premium brands like Kerrygold that command significant market presence in international markets including the challenging US butter category.

Ornua holds a dominant position in Irish dairy exports and has achieved remarkable success in premium dairy product categories globally, particularly in butter where Kerrygold has become synonymous with quality. The company's cooperative structure provides unique advantages in raw material sourcing while its global footprint offers career opportunities across multiple markets and business functions.
The Mitchelstown location places this role at the heart of Ireland's dairy industry in County Cork, which processes approximately 30% of Ireland's milk supply. This facility serves as a critical production hub for European and international markets, offering exposure to both EU regulatory environments and export market requirements that provide valuable international supply chain experience.
Ornua's cooperative ethos creates a collaborative environment focused on long-term sustainable growth rather than short-term profit maximization. The company's stated values of 'Seek and Embrace New Ideas', 'Make It Happen', and 'Achieve Great Things Together' suggest a culture that encourages innovation and cross-functional collaboration, particularly important for materials planning roles that require coordination across multiple departments and external partners.
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