Material Planner

Bachelor's degree in a related field and 1-3 year(s) experience in logistics and/or materials or a combination of education and experience equivalent.Planning, determining, controlling material requirements, and maintaining an inventory database. Incumbents in this classification control materials by studying inventory, service-level targets, and manufacturing schedules; conferring with production teams; developing inventory plans and priorities; monitoring inventory levels, lead times, lot sizes, and fill rates; evaluating planned and proposed material/process changes; identifying and resolving supplier problems; and developing solutions for launch projects in response to a JIT (just in time) delivery requirement.The Role:(The following duties are typical for this classification. However, any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all of the duties which may be performed.)Oversees procurement of parts and materials to ensure timely delivery.Responsible for the accuracy of the Materials Requisition Program (MRP) system as it relates to inventories, production planning, and order fulfillment.Investigates causes of significant discrepancies in order to prevent reoccurrence.Assists with the cycle counting process to maintain inventory accuracy.Provides oversight for inbound/outbound logistics and inventory control.Identifies and implements opportunities to reduce transaction costs, freight expenses, and inventory levels.Oversees order fulfillment for internal and external customers.Establishes and maintains strong supply chain relationships.Identifies potential slow moving inventory for review and disposition.Maintains adequate inventories to support operations while minimizing inventory investments.Ensures uniform systems, procedures and training as well as enhancing productivity of all logistics functions.Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements of various agencies (e.g. US Customs), ethical practices, and internal controls.Assists with the receiving department and the storage of raw materials throughout the plant.Verifies perpetual inventory against physical count of stock and adjusts errors in computation or count, and investigates and reports reasons for discrepancies and variances in perpetual.Works with suppliers and production employees to eliminate waste and damage to raw materials.Manages inventory goals and measurements to drive high inventory turns.Monitors and manages the MRP system in order to plan and purchase supplier raw materials.Designs and implements a pull system such as the "kanban-based" (just-in-time), shop floor scheduling system to meet customer need dates and minimize inventory.Provides project (program) management support for the division, including coordinating, tracking, expediting and reporting on current inventory.Gathers data for analysis regarding usage, quality, and price and manufacturing capability when requested.Develops and maintains on going ethical supplier relationships that foster a desire to furnish new ideas, and promote cooperation with Lear.Assists with the collection of and participation in resolving Lear claims (cost, time, tooling, rework, scrap, labor, sorting, and charges) against suppliers regarding non-conformance materials.Participates in inter-departmental teams working towards continuous process improvement, elimination of wastes, and simultaneous engineering.Coordinates obsolescence claims for leftover parts that the customer will be required to buy back at year end.Audits physical inventory.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:Knowledge of principles and practices of inventory control.Knowledge of central warehousing and distribution operations.Knowledge of data processing concepts related to material management and budget monitoring.Knowledge of pertinent local, state and federal laws, ordinances and rules.Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.Knowledge of marketing strategies and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.Ability to identify information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.Ability to estimate sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.Ability to monitor and review information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.Ability to identify and problem solve vendor issues.Ability to observe and explain policies and procedures to staff and vendors.Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, train and evaluate assigned staff.Ability to use a computer.SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:Must be willing to work extended periods of time or varying shift hours.Must be able to work in inclement weather conditions.Must be able to get certified in forklift and other powered vehicles.