Sr. Materials Planner

Position Summary

The Materials Planner is responsible for ensuring materials are available to support production while maintaining optimal inventory levels and supplier performance. This role reviews MRP requirements, plans material availability, issues purchase orders, monitors supplier deliveries, resolves material shortages, and partners with cross-functional teams to meet production schedules and customer delivery commitments. The Materials Planner serves as a key liaison between suppliers, Purchasing, Production, Warehouse, Quality, Engineering, and Customer Service.

Essential Functions

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

Material Planning & MRP

• Review daily MRP requirements and planning action messages to ensure material availability.
• Develop and maintain material plans aligned with production schedules and customer demand.
• Monitor material flow, identify potential supply risks, and coordinate corrective actions.
• Maintain planning parameters and master data within the ERP/MRP system.
• Develop delivery schedules based on production requirements.

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Create, process, and maintain purchase orders to support production requirements.
• Monitor supplier commitments, open purchase orders, and delivery performance.
• Expedite or de-expedite materials as business requirements change.
• Develop and maintain effective supplier relationships to improve delivery, quality, and responsiveness.
• Support purchasing decisions using total cost of ownership principles.

Material Shortage Management

• Identify, communicate, and resolve material shortages before they impact production.
• Coordinate recovery plans with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain shortage reports and escalate critical supply risks as appropriate.

Inventory Management

• Monitor inventory levels to balance production requirements while minimizing excess inventory.
• Support inventory accuracy through cycle counts, discrepancy resolution, and replenishment planning.
• Assist with safety stock management and initiatives to improve inventory turns and reduce excess or obsolete inventory.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure purchased materials meet required quality standards and specifications.
• Partner with Quality and Inspection teams to resolve supplier quality issues.
• Support corrective actions involving defective or non-conforming materials.
• Maintain accurate purchasing, supplier, and inventory records.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Production, Purchasing, Warehouse, Engineering, Quality, and Customer Service to support production schedules and customer commitments.
• Participate in production planning and materials meetings, communicating material availability and supply risks.
• Support Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and process optimization initiatives.
• Recommend improvements to planning processes, ERP/MRP data accuracy, and material management practices.

Qualifications

Required

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in Materials Planning, Purchasing, Procurement, Inventory Planning, Supply Chain Planning, or Manufacturing Materials Management.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Epicor, MAC-PAC, or similar platforms.
• APICS/ASCM certification or related coursework.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and delivery performance.
• Experience supporting inventory control, shortage resolution, and production planning.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, material planning, and supply chain operations.