Material Planner

Description

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Material Planner to join our team. The Material Planner helps keep production moving by ensuring the right materials are available at the right time while balancing inventory, supplier performance, and customer requirements. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem solver who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, manages competing priorities effectively, builds strong cross-functional relationships, and looks for opportunities to continuously improve material flow and planning processes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Manage material requirements planning (MRP) within Plex ERP to ensure uninterrupted production and optimal inventory levels. 
• Analyze demand forecasts, customer releases, and production schedules to develop and maintain material replenishment plans. 
• Monitor supplier performance related to delivery, quality, and responsiveness, and escalate issues as necessary. 
• Collaborate with Purchasing, Production, Quality, Engineering, and Logistics teams to support production objectives and customer requirements. 
• Review and maintain planning parameters in Plex, including lead times, safety stock levels, reorder points, lot sizing, and supplier schedules. 
• Coordinate supplier releases and communication to ensure timely delivery of raw materials, components, and packaging materials. 
• Identify potential material shortages and develop recovery plans to minimize production disruptions. 
• Manage inventory levels to achieve company targets for inventory turns, excess inventory reduction, and working capital improvement. 
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies, transaction errors, and material variances within Plex ERP. 
• Support supplier or engineers Change Requests and product launch activities by ensuring material availability and inventory transition plans. 
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on inventory optimization, material flow efficiency, and supply chain performance.
• Maintain master data accuracy within Plex ERP, including part numbers, BOMs, supplier information, and planning parameters.
• Analyze MRP messages, exception reports, and inventory reports generated by Plex to proactively address supply issues.
• Support Plex system enhancements, user training, testing, and process improvements related to planning and inventory management.
• Validate inventory transactions and material movements within Plex to ensure accurate system records and reporting.
• Other duties as assigned. 

PERFORMANCE COMPETENCIES:

• Role Fulfillment – Routine completion of all essential functions of the role.
• Technical Proficiency – Job-specific skill level, attention to detail, and overall quality of work produced.
• Safety – Dedication to our safety-first culture through incident prevention, adherence to protocols, initiative in reporting and resolving concerns, training participation, and contributions to a safe working environment.
• Dependability – Determination to show up, stay on task, and get things accomplished.
• Compliance – Consistent adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Interpersonal Skills – Ability to work and communicate well with others. 
• Productivity – Volume of work completed and skill level related to time-management, efficiency, prioritization, and initiative. 
• Integrity – Commitment to ethical decision-making, including admitting to mistakes, leading by example and a general tendency to do the right thing.

WORKING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Predominantly operates in an office or home office environment. However, position may need to walk frequently through shift on concrete in production areas. May be exposed to moderate heat, light dust, fumes, cold temperatures, and noise. Adequate hearing, eye, and footwear protection is required in production areas.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

SCHEDULE:

Depending on production area assignment, this position may work the following schedules:

• Standard Office Hours Monday through Friday

The demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

About this Job Description: The information provided above is intended to demonstrate the general nature and level of work performed by any incumbent(s) placed in this position. It is not intended to be a complete account of every task an employee may be assigned to perform. Management retains the right to add or revise this job description at any time to accommodate evolving needs of the business. 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Previous experience in material planning, production planning, supply chain, inventory control, or a related manufacturing function preferred.
• Experience utilizing ERP/MRP systems; Plex ERP experience preferred.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, inventory management, and Lean/continuous improvement principles.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence others, manage multiple priorities, and drive results through cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Close visual acuity and repetitive movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers to operate standard office equipment required. Will need to walk short distances and may occasionally exert up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.