Material Planner

Job Purpose

Manage material flow and schedule production to support high volume, fast-paced, 3 shift operation, from coordinating with senior management on top level sales and operating planning to synchronizing day-to-day activities with suppliers, customer service, inventory control and production.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Manage material flow and schedule production to support high volume, fast-paced, 3 shift operation, from coordinating with senior management on top level sales and operating planning to synchronizing day-to-day activities with suppliers, customer service, inventory control and production.

    Optimizes inbound material flows to achieve highest customer service while simultaneously supporting inventory and logistics targets set by management.
    Develops an efficient and effective production and/or material flow schedule considering multiple inputs:  sales and operations plan, customer requirements, production efficiencies, warehouse capacities, and supplier capabilities.
    Ability to work directly with suppliers on day-to-day material requirements in addition to providing longer term forecasts as required.
    Manages flow of materials between facilities.
    Serves as link between all impacted departments as needed to ensure successful product launches and reduce obsolescence costs.  Maintains all associated planning parameters to ensure planning accurate.
    Innovates and drives changes in processes, methods and procedures.
    Assists as necessary in the Material Department including shipping/receiving/warehouse.

o    Highly analytical:  critical-thinker; strong analytical aptitude and attention to detail; due to the speed and rate of change occurring in this manufacturing environment, must be able to problem solve and think independently
o    Excellent computer competence:  proficient in MS Excel; solid ERP understanding
o    Fast learner:  able to learn large quantities of information quickly, think abstractly in order to understand the various linkages between all manufacturing and distribution locations, understand intra-company flows and communicate clearly with all levels of management
o    Organized:  ability to multitask and prioritize; results oriented
o    Strong interpersonal skills:  a team player that communicates effectively, both internally and externally; relationship builder; supervisory experience preferred
o    Flexible:  adaptable and able to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment; able to work additional hours as required including weekends
o    Professional maturity:  a proactive self-starter with the ability to work with minimal direction, but also follow direction; remains calm and focused in high pressure situations; excellent attendance, punctual
o    Motivated:  enthusiastic; strives for excellence; continually seeks to improve self and company; ability and strong desire to grow with the company; leads by example

o    BA in Supply Chain/Operations Management with three+ years of experience or unrelated bachelor’s degree and five+ years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.  Work experience must be in material planning and production scheduling using an integrated ERP system in a manufacturing environment.
o    Must be proficient in MS Excel with a strong ERP foundation and have the ability to utilize software systems effectively to manage and analyze large, complex data sets