Production Planner

Production PlannerThe Production Planner role is responsible for all aspects of material planning. This role includes coordination with sales and production scheduling to ensure materials are available to meet order fulfillment requirements. This role determines and maintains inventory master data, manages purchase orders, communicates delivery schedules, expedites material, assists in solving returns and payment issues.Key responsibilities include:Calculate and create the demand for materials, raw materials and semi-finished products.Enter appropriate data and records into the SAP system.Review and maintain product availability information (Backorder Reason Code, expected partial/full release availability).Support efforts to ensure data integrity of cycle counts and BOM's.Provide required documents to production department.Work with SCM to review/update and maintain min/max levels of raw and Kanban inventory levels.Find opportunities for inventory reduction and actively support implementation as directed.Work with sales, operations, and engineering to anticipate unusual production requirements and necessary inventory levels to meet those needs and will expedite material as required.Assist management to resolve problems with customer schedule changes, and cancellations of customer orders.Create subcontracting/outsourcing deliveries for outbound products. Interacts with the internal team to ensure timely and quality delivery of finished product.Purchase raw material, packaging supplies, subcontracting services, shop supplies and other necessary items for the manufacturing facility.Assist management to resolve problems with late shipments and material shortages.Coordinate with quality leader and communicates with suppliers incoming quality issues and engineering changes/developments.Provide input on supplier performance such as on time delivery, quality, regulatory compliance and cost data.Request and analyze quotations, negotiate prices and terms with suppliers, and identify nonproductive suppliers with respect to cost, quality, and delivery competitiveness within approval limits.Assist in meeting or exceeding annual budgeted targets for raw, WIP, finished goods and inventory turns.Develop and maintain a communication system to share raw material pricing updates with the Estimating team.Education, experience and skills:Bachelor's degree in supply chain management or similar area or equivalent experience preferred.5 or more years of demand or supply planning experience in a manufacturing environment.IFS experience preferred.Offshore supplier experience.APICS certification is a plus.Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:Knowledge and understanding of supply chain concepts and how to apply.Knowledge and understanding of material specifications, using both the English and Metric systems.Knowledge of US Customs importation requirements for materials arriving from other countries.MRP/ERP system proficiency, SAP is a plus.Computer skills in Microsoft Office – particularly Microsoft Excel.Perform moderately complex planning and problem solving.Able to create and follow an inventory plan.Strong communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills (verbally and written).Able to communicate in English with Spanish/Polish/Chinese language ability a plus.Personal traits - role specific competences:Task and Goal Oriented. Decides what to do, by when in order to meet targets.Accountable. Assumes ownership for actions and results.Flexible. Ability to meet short deadlines, and willingness to work additional hours during deadline periods.Self-Starter. Able to work independently under pressure and react quickly to changing priorities.Team Player. Acts based on business goals and objectives.Decisive – Makes good decisions, in a timely fashion based on information available.