Material Planner

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Material Planner is responsible for ensuring the timely availability of raw materials, packaging, components, and other production-related inventory to support manufacturing and customer demand. This role coordinates with procurement, production, suppliers, and logistics teams to maintain optimal inventory levels, minimize shortages, and support on-time delivery while controlling inventory costs.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain material requirements plans (MRP) based on production schedules, forecasts, and customer demand.
• Monitor inventory levels and proactively identify risks related to shortages, excess inventory, or obsolescence.
• Create and manage purchase requisitions and coordinate with procurement teams for material replenishment.
• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of materials and resolve supply issues.
• Review and analyze demand forecasts, production plans, and inventory reports to support planning decisions.
• Track supplier performance, lead times, and material availability.
• Expedite critical materials when necessary to prevent production disruptions.
• Maintain accurate planning parameters, lead times, safety stock levels, and item master data within ERP systems.
• Partner with production, warehouse, procurement, and customer service teams to align material availability with operational requirements.
• Participate in inventory management activities, including cycle counts and inventory accuracy initiatives.
• Support continuous improvement efforts focused on inventory optimization, supply chain efficiency, and cost reduction.

Education, Experience, Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, Logistics, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• 2-5 years of experience in material planning, production planning, inventory management, supply chain, or procurement.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in inventory management and material planning concepts.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to interpret demand forecasts and production schedules.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Material availability to support production
• Inventory turns
• Inventory accuracy
• Supplier on-time delivery performance
• Material shortage incidents
• Production schedule adherence
• Excess and obsolete inventory levels
• Working capital and inventory cost management