Material Planner

Position Summary:

The material planner will plan and manage the materials replenishment process for assigned items or supply categories. The material planning role is responsible for the planning and execution of packaging, ingredients to attain company metrics like inventory levels and customer fill rate. This role will typically analyze changing material demand patterns, interface with vendors, and oversee and improve vendor performance. The position will manage the introduction of new products, engineering changes and customer conversions. Position will manage vendor purchase order changes, process customer order enquiries, schedule changes and cancellations, and determine, research and correct material inventory discrepancy causes. The position will manage slow moving and obsolete inventory to minimize impact to the financial statements. They will collaborate with the Master Data Management team to ensure the accuracy of planning attributes is maintained and updated.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Daily review all MRP exception messages. Ensure all required purchase orders are released, canceled, expedited, modified according the exeception messages. Communicate changes of the material replenishment plan to production planners and other functional groups.


• Primary supplier contact for all day to day purchase order issues for all assigned items or supply category including the communication and escalation of issues and supplier performance to other functional groups.


• Monitor and ensure planning strategy and goals are executed. Lead and provide support on the disposition of slow moving and obsolete materials. Ensure vendor returns are processed on time. Analyze data to provide root cause analysis and report on key performance metrics.


• Monitor and plan new material items as assigned. Ensure purchase orders are released, and item attibute data is entered accurately in JDE. Provide planning related information to other functional areas during the new product introduction process. participate in meeting and conference calls.


• Monitor and communicate any data integrity issues. Ensure all required parameters are set in JDE for assigned items or supply categories


• Manage vendor purchase order changes, process customer order inquiries, schedule changes and cancellations, and determine, research and correct material inventory discrepancy causes


• Responsible for following all food safety policies, procedures and regulatory criteria including the current SQF code, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and associated preventive controls


• Other duties as assigned


• Travel may be required

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or Engineering (or equivalent experience in Supply Chain Planning or Purchasing)


• Purchasing experience required


• 5-10 years of experience in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering preferred


• CPM (Certified Purchasing Manager), CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) or CPIM (Certified Production Inventory Management) certification preferred.


• Relevant JDE experience highly preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Proficient with MS Office.  


• Knowledge of material planning procedures, requisitions, purchase orders, and planning terminology.


• Analytical problem solving capability, strong organization skills, and ability to manage change effectively.


• Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.


• General supply chain knowledge including planning and inventory management.


• Previous experience in Food & Beverage industry