Materials Planner

Responsible for coordinating the sequence of operations and allocation of resources to ensure manufacturing processes flow smoothly and meet customer order requirements. Responsible for tracking and adjusting inventory levels to ensure a seamless production flow and minimization of waste using strategic planning and forecasting to anticipate material needs, aligning procurement schedules with production timeliness for optimal resource utilization and cost efficiency. Work mostly independently with minimal supervision and work is reviewed by Materials Manager, Plant Manager and/or Senior Management.

• Analyze production data, including volume (customer orders), cost and performance metrices to identify areas for improvement and efficiency gains
• Schedule production and manage inventory of raw materials, WIP, and finished goods using the MRP system and/or other planning/scheduling tools
• Manage production order releases based upon sales, capacity, available labor and BOMs
• Provide management with visibility of material shortages, backlogs, variances and other potential scheduling conflicts
• Serve as an expeditor to communicate routings on the shop floor
• Work with MRP computer system (SAP) to track inventory, orders and shipments
• Coordinate material movement and operations throughout the plant for production requirements
• Maintain inventory control systems to minimize excess stock and ensure the availability of necessary materials
• Facilitate communication between production teams, suppliers and customers to address and resolve any issues or delays
• Coordinate the sequence of operations and allocations of resources ensuring manufacturing processes flow smoothly and meet production targets, involving planning and adjustments to handle unforeseen disruptions, maintaining productivity and minimizing downtime in the production cycle
• Leverage data-driven insights to identify bottlenecks and implement strategic interventions for smoother operations and enhanced productivity
• Align procurement with production schedules ensuring materials and components arrive just in time to meet manufacturing demands without surplus
• Balance supplier capabilities and lead times against production needs to minimize inventory costs while avoiding manufacturing delays
• Monitor manufacturing processes to ensure products meet established standards of quality and consistency
• Coordinate with various departments to address deviations promptly, maintaining the integrity of production output and customer satisfaction with a proactive approach to problem-solving
• Prepare and present reports on production progress, challenges, problem resolution, and forecasts to management and stakeholders
• Other tasks as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven experience in production planning and scheduling
• Experience with MRP
• Working knowledge of SAP strongly preferred
• Strong Excel capability
• Excellent math and statistics capability
• Ability to work in a team oriented, diverse, dynamic and execution focused environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Confident presenting data effectively
• Problem-solving tools and skills
• Understanding of cost and financial impacts
• Minimum of 3-5 years as a production scheduler, production control specialist or material planner in an automotive manufacturing environment
• High School degree required, Bachelors Degree in Supply Chain Management or other relevant field strongly preferred

PRIMARY RESPONSBILITIES