Materials Planner

The Material Planner is responsible for ensuring the timely and efficient supply of raw materials, components and subassemblies required to support production schedules. Working within a dynamic manufacturing environment, this role requires close coordination with suppliers, production scheduling, and inventory control to maintain optimal material availability for on-time delivery while minimizing obsolete inventory.

Key Responsibilities:

Planning and Scheduling

• Analyze demand forecasts, production schedules, and inventory levels to generate material requirements plans (MRPs)
• Create and release purchase reqs or internal transfer orders in alignment with material needs.
• Collaborate with production to align material availability with shop floor requirements

Supplier Collaboration

• Communicate material needs and delivery schedules to suppliers
• Follow up on open orders and expedite or delay deliveries as necessary to align with production needs.
• Resolve issues related to shortages and delays (in collaboration with quality and sourcing)

Inventory Management

• Monitor on-hand inventory levels to ensure appropriate stock coverage without overstocking and minimizing expedites
• Identify and drive actions to reduce slow-moving and excess inventory

Data Accuracy

• Maintain accurate data in the MRP system, including lead times, safety stock levels, MOQs and order policies
• Generate and analyze reports on material status, shortages and supplier delivery performance
• Participate in daily production and planning meetings

Key Skills & Competencies:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Organizational and time management abilities
• Effective communication and collaboration across functions
• Attention to detail and data integrity
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 2-5 years of experience in materials planning or production planning
• ERP Systems (SAP, JDE, etc.)

Key Metrics:

• Material availability
• Supplier On-Time Delivery
• Inventory – turns or days of supply
• Excess & Obsolete Inventory Reduction