Material Planner

     

JOB DESCRIPTION:

About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

 

Abbott in Ireland

Abbott has maintained a strong presence in Ireland since 1946 and celebrates its 80th anniversary in the country in 2026. The company supports the Irish healthcare sector with a broad portfolio spanning diagnostics, diabetes care, medical devices and nutritional products. Today, Abbott employs more than 6,500 people across ten sites located in Dublin, Donegal, Clonmel, Cootehill, Galway, Kilkenny, Longford and Sligo

Please note any offer of employment for this position is conditional upon the successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination, including drug and alcohol screening, conducted by a medical practitioner designated by the Company.

 

Diabetes Care Kilkenny 

Our new manufacturing facility in Kilkenny, reflects the growing demand for Abbott's global Diabetes Care products. The facility will be a centre for world-class engineering, quality, medical device manufacturing, and other science-based professionals to produce life-changing technologies, including the FreeStyle Libre 3, a system that automatically delivers real-time, up-to-the-minute glucose readings, with the smallest and thinnest wearable glucose sensor that provides unsurpassed 14-day accuracy and optional glucose alarms directly to smartphones.  This enables people with diabetes to live the best and fullest lives they can. 

At Abbott in Kilkenny, you can shape your career as you help shape the future of healthcare.  

 

Purpose of the role

 

The Material Planner will play a key role in ensuring the seamless supply of materials to support our manufacturing operations. This position is critical in maintaining optimal inventory levels, supporting production requirements, and driving overall operational efficiency.

Working closely with Supply Chain, Production, Quality, and external suppliers, you will be responsible for ensuring materials are available when needed while maintaining effective inventory control and supply continuity.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain material plans and replenishment schedules aligned with production requirements and customer demand.
• Analyse demand forecasts, production schedules, and inventory trends to accurately determine material requirements.
• Manage inventory levels and safety stock policies to ensure continuity of supply while minimising excess inventory and obsolescence risks.
• Monitor supplier order fulfilment, track inbound shipments, and expedite critical materials when required.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Production, Quality, and Warehouse teams to ensure timely material availability and efficient inventory flow.
• Coordinate transport and logistics activities to support the timely collection and delivery of materials.
• Align inbound delivery schedules with warehouse capacity and resource availability to ensure efficient receipt of goods.
• Issue and manage supplier call-offs for vendor-managed and supplier-held inventory.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to support reliable supply performance and effective issue resolution.
• Monitor and evaluate supplier performance against key metrics, driving corrective actions where required.
• Maintain material planning parameters, master data, and replenishment settings within SAP to support accurate planning outputs.
• Prepare and present regular reports on inventory levels, material availability, supplier performance, OTIF delivery, and supply chain risks.
• Identify, lead, and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance material planning, inventory management, and supply chain performance.
• Proactively identify potential supply risks and develop mitigation plans to minimise operational disruption.
• Support new product introductions and material transitions by ensuring timely material availability and effective supply planning.

 

Education & Experience

• NFQ Level 7 qualification (or equivalent) in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships across multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational skills with a strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Minimum of 2 years' experience using SAP in a planning, supply chain, logistics, or manufacturing environment.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills with the ability to analyse and interpret data.
• Experience in material planning, inventory management, or supply chain operations.
• Knowledge of manufacturing, production planning, and inventory control principles.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to anticipate supply risks and proactively implement solutions.
• Excellent planning and coordination skills.
• A collaborative mindset with a customer-focused approach.
• Confidence in working with data and generating meaningful insights to support decision-making.

 

What we Offer 

Attractive compensation package that includes competitive pay, as well as benefits such as 

• Family health insurance
• Excellent pension scheme
• Life assurance 
• Career Development 
• Fantastic new facility 
• Growing business plus access to many more benefits. 

Connect with us at www.abbott.com or https://www.ie.abbott/, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews. 

Abbott is an equal opportunities employer. 

     

The base pay for this position is

N/A

In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

     

JOB FAMILY:

Supply Chain

     

DIVISION:

ADC Diabetes Care

        

LOCATION:

Ireland > Kilkenny : Kilkenny Business and Technology Park

     

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:

     

WORK SHIFT:

Ie - Kkyflx (Ireland)

     

TRAVEL:

Yes, 10 % of the Time

     

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:

Yes

     

SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:

Not Applicable