Supply Chain / Material Planner
KLA · Jena, Germany
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Company Overview
KLA is a global leader in diversified electronics for the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. Virtually every electronic device in the world is produced using our technologies. No laptop, smartphone, wearable device, voice-controlled gadget, flexible screen, VR device or smart car would have made it into your hands without us. KLA invents systems and solutions for the manufacturing of wafers and reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays. The innovative ideas and devices that are advancing humanity all begin with inspiration, research and development. KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world’s leading technology providers to accelerate the delivery of tomorrow’s electronic devices. Life here is exciting and our teams thrive on tackling really hard problems. There is never a dull moment with us. Job Description/Preferred Qualifications
Role Overview
We are seeking a Senior Supply Chain / Material Planner to take end-to-end ownership of the material supply for our new tools and components. This is an advanced professional role: the Planner does not merely monitor the supply situation but steers it, setting priorities across competing builds, allocating scarce material, and committing the organization to recovery plans.
The Planner is the central control point for urgent needs and holds the mandate to direct end-to-end execution across planning, logistics, manufacturing, and supply teams to secure Tools OTD and minimize lost output. The role works on complex supply issues that require an in-depth evaluation of variable factors, and it selects the methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria by which those issues are resolved. Decisions taken here have direct and visible impact on build schedules and delivery commitments, which demands sound judgment under incomplete information and the standing to align senior stakeholders across regions.
Key Responsibilities
- Steer the end-to-end parts flow for Tools and components build: set priorities, release and reallocate material, and take expediting decisions for urgent needs
- Define the planning methods, escalation paths, and evaluation criteria applied in the area, and establish them as the working standard across sites
- Act as the decision-making interface in a cross-functional, global environment, building and maintaining key contacts beyond the own area of expertise
- Lead the operational alignment with Planning, Purchasing, MS, and Logistics, resolve escalations, and hold the teams accountable to agreed recovery plans
- Direct requirements, priorities, technical changes, and build readiness together with the Manufacturing and Engineering teams
- Coordinate the activities of other planners in urgent-need situations and act as lead for cross-site recovery efforts
- Own effective inventory planning for the assigned material scope: set and maintain stocking policies, safety stock and reorder parameters, balance availability against inventory value and excess/obsolescence risk, and drive inventory turns in line with the agreed targets
- Own the KPI and supply chain reporting to management using Excel and BI tools, translate the findings into corrective actions, and represent supply risk positions in management reviews
- Translate company operations objectives into concrete supply strategies, and drive continuous process improvements that raise efficiency, responsiveness, and cost effectiveness
Mentor and guide less experienced planners, and act as the escalation reference within the planning community
Minimum Qualifications
- A completed qualification at bachelor level (EQF level 6) or above — for example in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Management and Engineering, or an equivalent advanced professional qualification
- Wide-ranging professional experience in supply chain planning or operations, typically 8+ years with a bachelor-level qualification or 6+ years with a master's degree, gained in a global or cross-regional environment; experience in a capital equipment company is preferred
- Strong proficiency in Excel and MS Office
- High proficiency in English, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate effectively with global stakeholders
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work across multiple disciplines in parallel
- Proven ability to multitask and operate effectively under pressure
- Willingness to undertake intensive, hands-on operational work
- Proven decision-making strength: the ability to decide independently on incomplete information, to select the appropriate methods and evaluation criteria, and to defend those decisions with senior stakeholders
- Demonstrated experience guiding or coordinating the work of other professionals without formal disciplinary responsibility
We offer a competitive, family friendly total rewards package. We design our programs to reflect our commitment to an inclusive environment, while ensuring we provide benefits that meet the diverse needs of our employees.
KLA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer
Be aware of potentially fraudulent job postings or suspicious recruiting activity by persons that are currently posing as KLA employees. KLA never asks for any financial compensation to be considered for an interview, to become an employee, or for equipment. Further, KLA does not work with any recruiters or third parties who charge such fees either directly or on behalf of KLA . Please ensure that you have searched KLA’s Careers website for legitimate job postings. KLA follows a recruiting process that involves multiple interviews in person or on video conferencing with our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of employment, or that an employee is not legitimate, please send an email to talent.acquisition@kla.com to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.