Material Planner

Reports to: Senior Materials Planner

Role Overview

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Material Planner to join our Supply Chain team. The role is responsible for ensuring materials are planned, tracked, and delivered on time to meet business requirements. This includes monitoring supplier performance, managing vendor relationships, resolving shipment issues, and supporting cross-functional teams with accurate inventory data and reporting. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, ERP experience, and a proven track record in supply chain and inventory management.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor supplier inventory levels and track on-time delivery performance.
• Collaborate with the pricing team to address and resolve cost changes.
• Work with the receiving team to resolve shortages, overages, and shipment discrepancies.
• Coordinate vendor returns (RMAs) and provide Release Authorization Numbers (RANs) to suppliers.
• Maintain accurate vendor profile records, including lead times, minimum order quantities, and pallet quantities.
• Update system codes such as ETA and item status (e.g., "on the water") to ensure visibility.
• Respond to sales team inquiries regarding ETAs and product availability, ensuring timely communication.
• Establish consistent communication protocols with sales teams regarding inventory and shipment status.
• Ensure suppliers comply with packaging guidelines to support efficient warehouse operations.
• Escalate critical issues such as delayed shipments, supplier non-compliance, or shortages per defined procedures.
• Expedite or defer items as needed to align with demand and production requirements.
• Support shrinkage and inventory movement analysis and investigations.
• Partner with cross-functional teams on special projects and initiatives.
• Track and analyze inventory costs and stock usage rates to support financial planning.
• Generate and analyze inventory reports for business units.
• Recommend and implement process improvements to optimize supply chain performance and reduce material costs.
  
  

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field preferred (equivalent work experience considered).
• Minimum 4 years of experience in inventory management, supply chain operations, or related fields.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data analysis).
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems and inventory tracking tools.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills in cross-functional environments.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, solve problems proactively, and escalate issues when needed.
• Familiarity with data analysis and reporting to support decision-making is a plus.
  
  

What We Offer

• A collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Opportunities to work on impactful supply chain initiatives.
• Growth and learning opportunities in a dynamic business setting.