Material Planner

Material Planner

MAPAL Inc. is the US subsidiary of the MAPAL Group. It employs more than 160 team members at two locations in the United States to ensure superior customer satisfaction. The site in Fountain Inn, South Carolina, is the US Centre of Competence for solid carbide tools. A special focus lies on the US aerospace industry which is closely supported with an Aerospace Test Centre on site.

The MAPAL Group is an international supplier of precision tools for the machining of almost all materials. The family business has 4,850 employees worldwide and sees itself as a technology partner to its customers. Interesting and challenging tasks, good opportunities for development and the attractive working conditions of a modern company are the basis for long-term working relationships.

Your tasks:

Material Availability Management

• Monitor material availability for production and customer orders across both Port Huron, MI and Fountain Inn, SC facilities.
• Process and resolve material-related exception messages (MD06) and shortages.
• Ensure availability of raw materials, PCD tips, carbide rods, purchased components, and externally processed materials.
• Coordinate with Production Control to prevent production delays caused by missing materials.
• Source alternative carbide rod and identify tip substitutes when standard materials are unavailable.

Inventory & Disposition Planning

• Execute operational material planning (disposition) activities for both locations.
• Maintain inventory levels aligned with business and customer requirements.
• Monitor demand, supply, and inventory trends; support inventory optimization initiatives.
• Prepare and analyze inventory, shortage, and material-availability KPIs.

Supplier & External Processing Coordination

• Work with Procurement to expedite materials and external services; escalate supplier delivery issues and shortages.
• Coordinate external coating and processing services, including identifying the coating source and confirming post-coating grind diameter.
• Work with Shipping on purchase order creation; support sourcing alternatives when approved materials are unavailable.

Master Data Maintenance

• Create and maintain BOMs, routers, material masters, and lead times in SAP for both locations.
• Create and extend material numbers (Zmagento); verify revision levels and ensure SAP planning data remains accurate.
• Match tools with routers; collect BOM material for production orders.
• Support new material and product setup, including P-Blanks (Fountain Inn) file updates and related costing coordination with Germany.

Order Support & Technical Coordination

• Support conversion of sales orders into planned and production orders.
• Review TET projects and special customer requirements with Customer Service.
• Create NACH, FOC, non-conforming, and rework orders; process TECO for individual orders.
• Coordinate repair planning and service-order activities; review service notes (ZPO9, QM12).
• Support OPT router creation, follow-up, and investigation across departments.
• Manage technical documentation — drawings, travelers, and laser marking.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze inventory, shortage, and material-availability performance; prepare reports and spreadsheets for management review.
• Investigate cost and machine-time variances; correct order costing errors.
• Support KPI reporting related to inventory, shortages, and material availability.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with Customer Service, Purchasing, Production Control, Engineering, and Logistics at both Port Huron and Fountain Inn.
• Communicate material-related risks affecting production schedules or customer deliveries.
• Participate in daily and weekly production meetings as needed at each site.
• Exceed and exhibit all MAPAL Inc behaviors as defined by policy, procedure, and standards.
• Actively participate in cross-functional team projects and assignments as directed.
• Additional responsibilities as needs present.

Your profile:

• 2–4-year degree, desired (Technical/Vocational — Metal Machining, Drafting, Engineering, Supply Chain/Logistics) and/or equivalent experience.
• Experience in materials management, disposition, or inventory planning within a manufacturing environment (Make-to-Order/specials operation preferred).
• Working knowledge of SAP (PP/MM modules) master data maintenance; proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Technical understanding of manufacturing processes, blueprint reading, and machining/tooling terminology; cutting tool industry experience a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; structured, data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Excellent organization and time-management skills; able to manage priorities across two locations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; comfortable coordinating remotely and traveling between sites.
• Strong work ethic; self-motivated, independent, and capable of making decisions.
• Customer focused; ability to work cooperatively across cross-functional teams.
• Willingness to travel regularly between Port Huron, MI and Fountain Inn, SC.

Important behaviors: Collaboration with other functions across the supply chain; Customer Centric; Continually seeking improvements to process; Responsibility and accountability; Honesty and openness.

We offer:

• Market competitive salary
• Benefit eligibility and vesting that start on your 1st day with us! (Medical, vision, dental, std, ltd, 401k)
• Opportunities for career development
• Training here and abroad
• Tuition reimbursement
• Wellness programs