Materials Planner & Inventory Control Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

About Us

Sapphire Technologies delivers power and cooling to energy infrastructure. Our FreeSpin In-line Turboexpander recovers energy that would otherwise be wasted when high-pressure gas is stepped down, converting it into clean electricity and low-temperature cooling. We are expanding our high-speed turbomachinery offerings into oil-free compressors for chilling applications.

Our hands-on team takes products from concept to field deployment, with work spanning rotating machinery, power electronics, controls, systems integration, manufacturing, and customer support. We are a mission-driven organization with one common goal: building a more sustainable world.

Position Summary

Sapphire Technologies is seeking a hands-on Materials Planner & Inventory Control Specialist to maintain accurate inventory, disciplined material flow, timely material availability, and reliable ERP transactions across receiving, warehousing, production, outside processing, and shipping.

This role combines inventory control, warehouse and logistics coordination, production planning, and purchasing support for complex electromechanical equipment. The position will support Sapphire's transition from project-based builds toward mid-mix, mid-volume, configure-to-order manufacturing by strengthening traceability, work-in-process controls, material identification, and transaction discipline.

This is an individual contributor role that works closely with Supply Chain, Production, Quality, Engineering, Program Management, Finance, suppliers, logistics providers, and manufacturing partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain day-to-day inventory control, including item and location accuracy, material identification, inventory status, storage practices, transaction discipline, and discrepancy resolution.
  
• Plan and execute cycle counts and physical inventories; investigate variances, identify causes, and support corrective actions that improve inventory accuracy.
  
• Maintain material traceability through receiving, storage, kitting, work in process (WIP), outside processing, assembly, test, and shipment.
  
• Execute and verify ERP material transactions, including receipts, issues, transfers, returns, completions, adjustments, and other inventory or WIP movements.
  
• Coordinate receiving, inspection handoffs, warehousing, material staging, kitting, point-of-use replenishment, and orderly storage in support of production priorities.
  
• Coordinate domestic and international shipping and inbound, outbound, and outside processing logistics, including packaging, carrier scheduling, documentation, custody, status, and delivery follow-up.
  
• Support applicable import, export, and trade compliance documentation and escalate classification, licensing, or regulatory questions to the responsible company resource.
  
• Maintain accurate item master, planning, purchasing, supplier, lead time, order policy, and inventory control data within the ERP system.
  
• Plan material requirements and production orders using demand, bills of material, inventory, lead times, capacity, and schedule information.
  
• Create, maintain, and monitor purchase orders or order releases; obtain quotations, confirm supplier commitments, expedite shortages, and resolve delivery or invoice discrepancies.
  
• Identify material shortages and schedule risks and coordinate recovery priorities with Production, Supply Chain, Program Management, Engineering, and suppliers.
  
• Support barcode labeling, location identification, scanning, material status controls, and transaction standards for inventory and WIP traceability.
  
• Coordinate large-scale inventory transfers between internal locations, facilities, offsite storage, suppliers, or manufacturing partners, including count readiness, labeling, location mapping, packing, custody control, transaction accuracy, reconciliation, and restart support.
  
• Develop and maintain practical work instructions, records, metrics, and standard work for inventory, warehousing, receiving, shipping, logistics, planning, and purchasing activities; identify and recommend process improvements.
  

RequirementsQualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Relevant technical, business, supply chain, or inventory management education or certification is preferred.
  
• 8+ years of progressive manufacturing supply chain experience with meaningful responsibility across inventory control, warehouse operations, receiving, shipping, logistics, production planning, purchasing, material traceability, and ERP/MRP systems.
  
• Hands-on experience with cycle counting, physical inventory, inventory reconciliation, receiving, shipping, kitting, WIP transactions, and material traceability.
  
• Experience planning and purchasing materials in an ERP/MRP environment, including purchase order management, expediting, shortage resolution, and maintenance of accurate planning data.
  
• Demonstrated experience safely operating forklifts and other material-handling equipment in a manufacturing or warehouse environment; ability to obtain and maintain company forklift certification required.
  
• Experience in discrete manufacturing involving mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, industrial, aerospace, energy, automotive, or comparable durable products.
  
• Ability to locate, retrieve, and interpret engineering drawings and related product documentation for part identification, material verification, and traceability, and to read bills of material, routings, work orders, purchase orders, inventory reports, and packing lists.
  
• Strong attention to detail, sound judgment in resolving discrepancies, and the ability to organize competing priorities and follow through on commitments.
  
• Working proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and ERP/MRP systems, with clear communication skills for working with production employees, technical teams, suppliers, and logistics providers.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience coordinating large-scale inventory transfers, facility moves, offsite storage transfers, production ramps, or material flow changes.
  
• Experience with barcode labeling, scanning, location control, serialized or lot-controlled traceability, and visual materials management systems.
  
• Experience in configure-to-order, cellular, mid-mix/mid-volume, job-shop, or other complex discrete manufacturing environments.
  
• Experience coordinating outside processing, domestic and international freight, and trade compliance documentation.
  
• APICS/ASCM certification or relevant training in planning, inventory management, procurement, lean manufacturing, or warehouse operations; experience in an ISO 9001 or comparable quality management environment is also preferred.
  

Work Environment

This role is primarily onsite and works across office, warehouse, receiving, shipping, production, assembly, and test areas. Appropriate personal protective equipment and adherence to site safety requirements are required. The position includes regular warehouse and production floor activity and may require handling or moving material within established safety limits, with reasonable accommodation where applicable. Occasional travel to suppliers, service providers, manufacturing partners, or other company locations may be required.

BenefitsBenefits

We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees. Eligible team members receive paid vacation, paid sick time, comprehensive health benefits, and participation in a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional Information

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow other instructions and perform other related duties as assigned by their supervisor. Management reserves the right to change, rescind, add, or delete the duties and responsibilities of positions within this job classification at any time.

Sapphire Technologies is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, and benefits. Retaliation against any employee who files a complaint regarding possible violations of this policy will not be tolerated.