Material Planner

The Material Planner is responsible for ensuring the timely and adequate supply of materials needed for production. You will manage inventory levels, analyze demand forecasts, and coordinate with suppliers to prevent shortages while minimizing excess stock. This role is the critical link between the production schedule and the supply chain, ensuring operational continuity.

Key Responsibilities

• Material Requirements Planning (MRP): Analyze production schedules and generate purchase orders for raw materials and components to support manufacturing goals.
• Inventory Management: Maintain optimal stock levels using strategies like Min/Max, Safety Stock, and ABC analysis to improve inventory turns and reduce obsolescence.
• Supplier Coordination: Communicate forecasts and delivery requirements to vendors. Resolve issues related to delivery delays, quality concerns, or quantity discrepancies.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Production, Engineering, and Purchasing teams to align material availability with new product launches and schedule changes.
• Data Integrity: Maintain accurate master data within the ERP system, including lead times, lot sizes, and Bill of Materials (BOM) changes. 
• Performance Monitoring: Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time delivery (OTD), supplier performance, and inventory accuracy.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Recommended Experience: 1–3 years experience in material planning, inventory control, or production scheduling within a manufacturing environment.
• Technical Skills:
  • Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP S/4HANA, Oracle Cloud SCM, Plex, or Microsoft Dynamics 365).
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables, data analysis).

Essential Skills

• Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret complex data to anticipate demand and identify potential supply disruptions.
• Problem-Solving: Strong aptitude for resolving material shortages and production bottlenecks in a fast-paced environment.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills for negotiating with suppliers and collaborating with internal stakeholders.