Materials Planner

Job Summary

The Materials Planner is responsible for planning and procuring materials for specific production needs. This role will control inventory levels, provide forecasts, set up trucking, and confirm orders to suppliers in accordance with customer release timing. In addition, the Materials Planner will monitor orders and communicate with internal and external customers on a weekly basis.

Key Responsibilities

Receive and process purchase orders from the ERP system to ensure timely placement and delivery of components in line with production planning requirements
Expedite and reschedule open purchase orders to suit production planning requirements
Maintain proper planning parameters, order policies, and safety stock levels within the ERP system
Ensure customer satisfaction and provide professional customer support
Review historical data, including sales trends, research demand drivers, material on-time delivery, and commodity spends within dedicated production cells
Research data to identify significant variances and share, communicate, and report on variances to both internal and external supply chain
Use and maintain the ERP system as the primary planning system tool
Track and ensure timely delivery of raw materials to meet production schedule requirements
Provide input in developing departmental strategies and plans for inventory on existing items, new product introduction, and phase-outs
Improve relationships among production planners, sales, production supervisors, and quality to lead to effective knowledge sharing and optimizing the forecast to better guide the company
Execute systems and methods to continually improve forecast to better anticipate customer needs
Execute with excellence in the area of stock and demand replenishment, providing feedback to the supply chain on risks regarding replenishment levels and demand
File custom paperwork needed for each required shipment
Develop delivery plans to ensure customer demands are met
Define correct HTS Code on new programs/part numbers for Duty and Taxes to ensure the correct percentage is used with customs
Monitor and track 'In-Transit' shipments from when they leave the supplier until arrival at the plant location in the U.S.
Set up/quote logistical trucking as needed while maintaining under set budget
Perform related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain or Business Administration preferred or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
Minimum 3 years' of relative work experience
Experience working with Plex ERP system preferred
Highly proficient in Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Experience working with highly confidential and sensitive information while maintaining discretion
Demonstrated ability to meet job requirements
Exceptional organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, both oral and written
Must be a team-oriented professional who can handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
Highly detail-oriented with the ability to handle shifting deadlines and priorities
High level of commitment, sound judgment, great follow-through, and initiative
Capable of meeting deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy and professional demeanor
A demonstrated ability to work well in a team environment, to be proactive, to work independently of day-to-day supervision
Ability to interface with internal and external customers/clients and consistently exude a pleasant, polished, and professional image
Skilled in proactively anticipating executive needs and consistently demonstrate a strong sense of urgency
Bilingual ability preferred (English/Chinese) - not required

Work Environment

The Materials Planner will work in a fast-paced environment with frequent early morning, late evening, and weekend work times. May require frequent overnight and international travel, including plane flights in excess of 12 hours in duration. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Quality

Action must be initiated to prevent the occurrence of any nonconformity relating to product, process, and quality system. This includes initiation and verification of corrective action, control of further processing, including stopping production, and reporting quality concerns to any level of management.

Environmental Management System

Action must be taken to maintain, conform, and improve the company's Environmental Management System. Action should be initiated to prevent the occurrence of any nonconformity by reporting problems and concerns directly to management.

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