Manufacturing Planner

JOB SUMMARY

The Production Planner / Buyer is responsible for coordinating production planning and end-to-end procurement activities to ensure materials, resources, and production capacity are aligned with customer demand and operational requirements. This hands-on role develops and maintains the master production schedule, monitors production progress, manages material availability, and executes purchasing activities for materials, components, and services.

Working cross-functionally with Production, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Finance, the role ensures priorities are clearly communicated, workloads and resources are balanced, and materials are available to support on-time production and customer delivery. Responsibilities include order review, schedule creation and maintenance, supplier sourcing and management, purchasing, contract negotiation, monitoring supplier performance, resolving material and production constraints, and maintaining accurate planning and purchasing system data.

The role supports Supply Chain and serves as a key link between suppliers, production, and internal stakeholders. Success requires strong analytical and organizational skills, effective communication, sound procurement and planning knowledge, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while identifying and implementing continuous improvement opportunities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain the Master Production Schedule based on customer demand, sales forecasts, production capacity, material availability, lead times, and business priorities.
• Review incoming demand, update ERP/MRP schedules, and ensure planned manufacturing dates are accurate.
• Conduct supply and demand analysis and support the SIOP process, identifying capacity, material, inventory, and supply risks.
• Monitor work orders, production progress, material availability, and schedule adherence to support on-time delivery.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain and Operations regarding material shortages, lead times, safety stock, excess inventory, reorder requirements, and schedule adjustments.
• Issue and manage purchase orders through the MRP system and monitor supplier delivery performance.
• Manage supplier relationships, including sourcing, negotiations, performance reviews, issue resolution, and supplier development.
• Review inventory requirements and forecasts to maintain uninterrupted material flow while minimizing excess inventory.
• Support Kanban and other material management processes to ensure production readiness.
• Identify alternative suppliers and develop mitigation plans for supply disruptions and critical material risks.
• Partner with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, Quality, and Engineering to align forecasts, materials, production requirements, and business priorities.
• Coordinate cross-functional projects focused on cost reduction, process improvement, efficiency, compliance, and supply chain performance.
• Develop and maintain planning, production, inventory, and supplier KPIs and reports for management review.
• Utilize Epicor and other ERP/MRP tools to improve planning accuracy, data integrity, material availability, and production performance.
• Assist with new supplier and contract requests, vendor research, purchasing issues, and invoice/payment resolution.
• Provide guidance and support to team members and promote best practices and organizational standards.
• Maintain professional relationships with employees, customers, suppliers, and business partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, QUALIFICIATIONS, and TRAININGS

• Bachelors degree in business, Supply Chain, or a related field, with 5+ years of progressive experience in supply chain, purchasing, production planning, forecasting, or demand planning within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in high-mix, low-volume or technical manufacturing preferred.
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and planning processes, including hands-on experience with purchase orders and supplier management.
• Strong understanding of procurement, sourcing, contract negotiation, inventory management, and supplier performance.
• Experience sourcing and evaluating new suppliers and managing key supplier/customer relationships.
• Knowledge of global import/export requirements and experience coordinating international material deliveries preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and project management skills with a high level of accountability.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across Operations, Production, Planning, Quality, Finance, Sales, and Supply Chain.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Well-developed literacy, numeracy, computer, and technical skills.
• Strong understanding of customer and market requirements and the ability to translate business needs into effective supply chain solutions.
• Preferred APICS certification.
• Willingness to travel up to 10%.

COMPUTER AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

• Experience with Epicor a plus.
• Microsoft: Office 365; SharePoint; Teams; Visio; and OneNote preferred.
• Ability to operate media equipment such as tablets, smartphones, and other electronic equipment.
• Ability to work with general office equipment.
• Ability to work with and understand databases a must and the ability to learn technical skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Shall have essential physical skills; be able to run, squat, stoop/bend, kneel, climb stairs, be able to lift at least 50 pounds (or own body weight).
• Shall have adequate vision, reading, writing, and documentation skills, and hearing to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Must have enough endurance to perform tasks over long periods of time.
• Will be engaged in speaking, sitting, walking, driving, listening, and in communicating both orally and in writing while performing his or her duties.
• Must be able to listen and respond to questions and instructions.

The qualifications, physical demands, and work environment described herein are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship .

Arcmed is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the variety of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the incumbent a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of business demands change, so, too, may the essential functions of this position.