The Materials Planner is responsible for the timely planning, ordering, and inventory control of Raw Ingredients, Packaging Materials, and miscellaneous other items as required by manufacturing in the LaPorte facility. This position is responsible for all activities involved with determining supply needs, scheduling for arrival, and assuring the arrival of these goods and services and managing their inventory for LaPorte Operations. The Materials Planner also assists in the cost control of materials as coordinated with Supply Chain Purchasing and Cost Accounting associates.
To work closely with the Demand Planner as well as manufacturing leadership to calculate material needs based on production forecasts, schedules and current inventory levels. Once needs are established, this position must ensure that correct quantities are planned, ordered, and received as required to maintain efficient production flow. Planner also assures that accurate inventories are being maintained in the ERP system, that material orders are being scheduled for receipt as efficiently as possible working with warehouse management, and confirming that all ordered material has been received.As the Materials Planner is responsible for inventory management, below points are to further clarify this responsibility: Assisting the Corporate Materials Manager in setting goals for inventory turns and keeping inventories within the established tolerances balanced with scheduling and manufacturing needs. Assisting in or performing cycle counts to assure accuracy of inventory in the ERP system and assisting in or performing period-end physical inventories as scheduled or as necessary.Determining or helping to determine necessary changes related to cycle counts and period end inventory processes or counts and communicating them appropriately.Tracking inventory to assure proper and timely communication of necessary inventory adjustments, changes to standard costs, cost variances, and any other factor to assure accuracy of inventory and its value. To work with the warehouse manager, warehouse coordinator, and process improvement coordinator to assure smooth warehouse operations by communicating inbound material details in a timely manner.To support lean manufacturing and best practices in all aspects of material ordering, storage, and movementWithin established guidelines of responsibility as set by Supply Chain Management, to meet with current and prospective vendors to ensure the Company is getting competitive pricing, the best service, and the necessary quality of materials. To procure goods based upon methods established by Supply Chain Management such as -but not limited to- direct purchase, bid, flat forward contract, market based, or combination.To prepare and issue all purchase orders under established guidelines.To maintain procurement records including tracking costs of items, delivery time frame performance, product quality performance, and inventories.To discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services with quality control and/or manufacturing associates and vendors, to determine the source of any issue and implement corrective action.To attend packaging proofing runs at vendor locations as necessary, making go/no go decisions on production runs at packaging film and container vendors.To approve invoices for payment when appropriate and within established tolerances.When necessary and to operate as a back up to primary associates in these areas, associate may be required to help in other Supply chain tasks such as ship confirming, following up on distribution or warehouse issues, communicating with CRM and the Union City facility.
Minimum of two years experience in Purchasing.A two year degree in Business or Accounting is preferred.The successful candidate must have strong computer skills, including MS Word and MS Excel, be detail-oriented, have excellent critical thinking skills and be able to respond to issues in a timely manner while working in a fast-paced environment.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.Good communication skills and the ability to get along with a diverse population are critical qualifications.This candidate must exhibit excellent customer service, integrity and confidentiality when working with both internal and external customers.
