Materials Planner

Job Description

Job Description

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.

The Buyer Planner/Material Scheduler is responsible for managing the procurement and inventory planning functions to support UNC Dairy's manufacturing operations. This position ensures optimal material availability while minimizing inventory carrying costs through effective demand planning, supplier coordination, and production schedule alignment. The role requires strong analytical capabilities, ERP system proficiency, and the ability to collaborate across procurement, production, and quality functions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Material Planning & Scheduling

• Execute MRP processes within SAP to generate purchase requisitions and maintain optimal inventory levels
• Analyze demand forecasts and production schedules to determine material requirements across all manufacturing facilities
• Coordinate material flow with Raw Material Inventory Planners in the plants to ensure outside warehouse Safety Stock levels are maintained
• Monitor inventory levels and safety stock parameters; adjust planning parameters based on demand variability and lead times
• Manage expediting activities and communicate material shortages proactively to stakeholders
• Participate in the new product launch process in order to ramp up new part volume and qualify secondary sources of supply
• Monitor the changeover of part codes and ensure disposition of inventory in the outside warehouses.

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Issue purchase orders and manage supplier relationships for assigned commodity categories
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules with suppliers to achieve cost and service objectives
• Track supplier performance metrics including on-time delivery, quality, and responsiveness
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance on incoming material inspections and non-conformance resolution
• Support vendor onboarding and maintain accurate vendor master data in SAP

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Production, Quality, Raw Material Inventory Planners and R&D teams to align material planning with operational needs
• Participate in S&OP/IBP processes to incorporate demand signals into material planning
• Support new product introductions by coordinating material sourcing and qualifications
• Provide input on make-vs-buy decisions and alternative sourcing strategies

Process Improvement & Reporting

• Identify opportunities to streamline procurement and planning processes
• Maintain KPI dashboards for supplier performance
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to inventory optimization and cost reduction
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and dairy industry standards

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in material planning, procurement, or production scheduling roles
• Proven experience working within MRP/ERP systems in a manufacturing environment

Technical Skills

• SAP proficiency required (MM module experience strongly preferred)
• Strong understanding of MRP logic, lot sizing, lead time management, and inventory optimization
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data analysis)
• Ability to analyze complex data sets and translate into actionable insights

Knowledge & Competencies

• Understanding of procurement best practices including RFQ/RFP processes, contract management, and supplier negotiations
• Knowledge of production scheduling principles and capacity planning
• Familiarity with demand planning and forecasting methodologies
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• APICS certification (CPIM, CSCP, or CLTD)
• Dairy or food manufacturing industry experience
• Experience with SAP IBP, APO, or other advanced planning systems
• Knowledge of dairy co-operative operations and seasonal demand patterns
• Understanding of food safety regulations (SQF, HACCP, GMP)
• Experience implementing process improvements or system enhancements

COMPETENCIES:

• Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to influence across organizational levels
• Collaboration: Works effectively with cross-functional teams and external suppliers
• Attention to Detail: Maintains high accuracy in planning parameters, PO management, and documentation
• Adaptability: Manages changing priorities and responds effectively to operational demands
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Seeks opportunities to enhance processes and drive efficiencies

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Office environment with occasional visits to manufacturing facilities
• Standard business hours with flexibility required during peak production periods
• May require occasional travel to supplier locations (less than 10%)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Ability to wear appropriate PPE when visiting production areas

Pay:

$65,000-$85,000 per year*

*The salary range listed for this position represents the good faith and reasonable minimum and maximum pay for this role at the time of posting.  Actual compensation may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, training, knowledge, education, and overall qualifications.  The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.