Materials Planner

Job TitleJoin a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America's largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you'll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.The Buyer Planner/Material Scheduler is responsible for managing the procurement and inventory planning functions to support UNC Dairy's manufacturing operations. This position ensures optimal material availability while minimizing inventory carrying costs through effective demand planning, supplier coordination, and production schedule alignment. The role requires strong analytical capabilities, ERP system proficiency, and the ability to collaborate across procurement, production, and quality functions.Key ResponsibilitiesExecute MRP processes within SAP to generate purchase requisitions and maintain optimal inventory levelsAnalyze demand forecasts and production schedules to determine material requirements across all manufacturing facilitiesCoordinate material flow with Raw Material Inventory Planners in the plants to ensure outside warehouse Safety Stock levels are maintainedMonitor inventory levels and safety stock parameters; adjust planning parameters based on demand variability and lead timesManage expediting activities and communicate material shortages proactively to stakeholdersParticipate in the new product launch process in order to ramp up new part volume and qualify secondary sources of supplyMonitor the changeover of part codes and ensure disposition of inventory in the outside warehouses.Procurement & Supplier ManagementIssue purchase orders and manage supplier relationships for assigned commodity categoriesNegotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules with suppliers to achieve cost and service objectivesTrack supplier performance metrics including on-time delivery, quality, and responsivenessCollaborate with Quality Assurance on incoming material inspections and non-conformance resolutionSupport vendor onboarding and maintain accurate vendor master data in SAPCross-Functional CollaborationPartner with Production, Quality, Raw Material Inventory Planners and R&D teams to align material planning with operational needsParticipate in S&OP/IBP processes to incorporate demand signals into material planningSupport new product introductions by coordinating material sourcing and qualificationsProvide input on make-vs-buy decisions and alternative sourcing strategiesProcess Improvement & ReportingIdentify opportunities to streamline procurement and planning processesMaintain KPI dashboards for supplier performanceSupport continuous improvement initiatives related to inventory optimization and cost reductionEnsure compliance with food safety regulations and dairy industry standardsRequired QualificationsBachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related fieldMinimum 3-5 years of experience in material planning, procurement, or production scheduling rolesProven experience working within MRP/ERP systems in a manufacturing environmentTechnical SkillsSAP proficiency required (MM module experience strongly preferred)Strong understanding of MRP logic, lot sizing, lead time management, and inventory optimizationAdvanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data analysis)Ability to analyze complex data sets and translate into actionable insightsKnowledge & CompetenciesUnderstanding of procurement best practices including RFQ/RFP processes, contract management, and supplier negotiationsKnowledge of production scheduling principles and capacity planningFamiliarity with demand planning and forecasting methodologiesStrong problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environmentPreferred QualificationsAPICS certification (CPIM, CSCP, or CLTD)Dairy or food manufacturing industry experienceExperience with SAP IBP, APO, or other advanced planning systemsKnowledge of dairy co-operative operations and seasonal demand patternsUnderstanding of food safety regulations (SQF, HACCP, GMP)Experience implementing process improvements or system enhancementsCompetenciesAnalytical Thinking: Ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisionsCommunication: Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to influence across organizational levelsCollaboration: Works effectively with cross-functional teams and external suppliersAttention to Detail: Maintains high accuracy in planning parameters, PO management, and documentationAdaptability: Manages changing priorities and responds effectively to operational demandsContinuous Improvement Mindset: Seeks opportunities to enhance processes and drive efficienciesWorking ConditionsOffice environment with occasional visits to manufacturing facilitiesStandard business hours with flexibility required during peak production periodsMay require occasional travel to supplier locations (less than 10%)Physical RequirementsProlonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computerAbility to wear appropriate PPE when visiting production areasPay:$65,000-$85,000 per year**The salary range listed for this position represents the good faith and reasonable minimum and maximum pay for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, training, knowledge, education, and overall qualifications. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.