MRO Planner/Buyer

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.

Job Description Summary - MRO Planner/Buyer

The Maintenance, Repairs, and Operations Purchasing Storeroom Planner/Buyer is responsible for parts and supplies for the on-site maintenance department at Akron. This position supports manufacturing by monitoring and maintaining parts inventory for maintenance, repair, and operations; creating and sending Purchase Orders (POs) to vendors; receiving materials; and processing invoices for payment by Accounts Payable. Ensures that Min/Max levels are accurate, and that MRO consumption is reconciled via work orders.

Job Responsibilities:

• Coordinate all MRO activities to ensure timely and cost-effective purchasing and receipt of necessary equipment and supplies for continued operations.
• Coordinate with Corporate Divisional MRO guidelines and collective purchases.
• Conduct research, evaluate findings and makes decisions on MRO procurement matters for goods and services.
• Working with Operations and Maintenance Team, implement integration of all MRO activities into a MP2/ SAP managed system. Supervise and monitor CMMS system to ensure accuracy of inventory, work orders, and planned projects.
• Interpret and evaluate MRO contract provisions with the approval of Maintenance Manager.
• Obtain oral and written price quotes from MRO vendors. Compare quotes with the specification and availability of items and place MRO orders.
• Manage and maintain appropriate internal controls for the distribution, purchase, receipt and security of MRO materials while maintaining appropriate inventory levels.
• Demonstrate continual effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and sort cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless service.
• Manage, order, and coordinate repair/rework service items for entire operation.
• Participate / assist with plant inventory activities, as required.
• Ensure budgetary adherence each month, saving cost against budget where possible.
• Analyze and review daily material issues for accuracy and trends.
• Develop storeroom layouts and material assignments.
• Perform periodic material cycle counts to reconcile the physical inventory to the MP2/SAP inventory values.
• Manage daily operations of MRO Storeroom activities, including kitting MRO components for plant outages, CAPEX projects and Preventive Maintenance Activities.
• Document and maintain operational processes and procedures that comply with company SHE and SHEMS directives.
• Perform all other duties as assigned and contribute to the improvements of operation capabilities.
• Supports maintenance strategy for site assets according to the reliability strategy through MOC, PE, and CAPEX systems.
• Project management of capital projects and continuous improvement projects to facilitate growth in plant OEE1.
• Identifies the specific skills and tradesmen required for each task and ensures the preparation of all necessary spare parts for projects.
• Responsible for reviewing work requests, notifications, and Planned Preventive Maintenance Work Orders (PPM WO) to ensure job scope clarity and efficient resources planning, including trade requirements, spare parts, direct purchase materials, and outsourcing.

Educational Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• A minimum of two years' experience in a fast-paced manufacturing or maintenance environment.

Skills and Abilities:

• Basic Math skills including but not limited to; addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, and percentages is required.
• Demonstrated ability to follow through on project assignments.
• Must have proven ability to read, write and communicate in English.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office- Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Outlook.
• Strong, consistent, reliable attention to detail and ability to work independently.
• Flexibility to work special schedules as required to satisfy job requirements and OT when necessary - including weekends.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of SAP Transactions, requisitioning parts, receiving goods.
• Two years of education beyond high school in college or technical school in relevant field is a plus.
• Experienced inventory management for a maintenance storeroom.
• Experience with lean six sigma.

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