Materials Planner

Title: Material Planner - Manufacturing

Location: Columbus, OH

Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Overview

Our client, a growing manufacturing company, is seeking a detail-oriented Material Planner to coordinate material requirements and ensure the timely availability of raw materials, components, and supplies needed to support production schedules. The Material Planner will work closely with purchasing, production, inventory, and suppliers to maintain appropriate inventory levels, prevent material shortages, and support efficient manufacturing operations.

The ideal candidate has experience in material planning, inventory control, or supply chain management within a manufacturing environment, along with strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Experience working with an ERP system is highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

Material Planning & Production Support
• Develop and maintain material plans to support production schedules and customer delivery requirements.
• Review production schedules, forecasts, bills of materials (BOMs), and inventory levels to determine material requirements.
• Ensure raw materials, components, and supplies are available when needed to prevent production delays.
• Monitor material shortages, identify potential supply issues, and proactively implement solutions.
• Coordinate with production and purchasing teams to prioritize critical material requirements.

Inventory Management
• Monitor inventory levels to maintain appropriate stock while minimizing excess and obsolete materials.
• Review inventory reports, demand forecasts, and usage trends to identify replenishment needs.
• Support cycle counts, inventory reconciliations, and efforts to improve inventory accuracy.
• Investigate material discrepancies and recommend corrective actions.
• Maintain accurate material planning records and system data.

Supplier & Purchasing Coordination
• Work closely with purchasing and suppliers to confirm material availability, lead times, and delivery schedules.
• Track open purchase orders and follow up on delayed or past-due deliveries.
• Communicate changes in demand, production priorities, and material requirements to the appropriate teams.
• Assist with expediting critical materials when necessary.

ERP & Process Improvement
• Utilize the company's ERP system to review inventory, manage material requirements, and monitor purchase orders.
• Maintain accurate item master data, lead times, planning parameters, and other material information.
• Identify opportunities to improve material planning processes, inventory efficiency, and production flow.
• Generate reports and communicate material status, shortages, and potential risks to management.

Qualifications
• Previous experience in material planning, inventory control, purchasing, or supply chain management within a manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of production scheduling, inventory management, and material requirements planning (MRP).
• Experience using an ERP system.
• Ability to interpret production schedules, bills of materials, inventory reports, and demand forecasts.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other standard business applications.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.