Master Planner

Position Summary

The Materials & Planning Manager oversees materials planning, purchasing, inventory control, and production scheduling to meet customer demand and operational goals. This role develops the master production schedule, manages supplier relationships, aligns cross-functional workflows, and provides direct leadership to the Purchasing & Planning Coordinator.

Essential Responsibilities

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Master Schedule: Develop and maintain the master production schedule based on demand, capacity, and material availability.
• Capacity Management: Coordinate with Production Management to identify constraints and adjust schedules for staffing, equipment, or shortages.
• Risk Mitigation: Monitor schedule adherence and escalate potential customer delivery risks to the Director of Operations.

Materials Planning & MRP

• System Ownership: Oversee material requirements planning and maintain accurate data utilizing MISys and Sage.
• Parameter Management: Establish lead times, reorder points, safety stock, and min/max inventory levels.
• NPI Coordination: Partner with Engineering to integrate engineering changes and new product requirements into planning.

Purchasing & Strategic Sourcing

• Procurement: Oversee the purchasing of raw materials and components, approving purchase orders within company guidelines.
• Outsourcing Initiatives: Evaluate, implement, and manage the outsourcing of specific parts and assemblies to optimize cost and capacity.
• Supplier Relations: Negotiate pricing, terms, and lead times while managing vendor performance and past-due orders.
• Cost Optimization: Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, cost savings, and process efficiency.

Inventory Control & VMI

• Inventory Targets: Balance inventory targets to support production while minimizing carrying costs and excess stock.
• Vendor Managed Inventory: Establish and manage Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs to stabilize component availability.
• Accuracy: Partner with Warehouse and Accounting to support cycle-counting and resolve inventory discrepancies within MISys.
• Disposal: Review and recommend actions for slow-moving, excess, and obsolete inventory.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervision: Train, coach, and evaluate the Purchasing & Planning Coordinator, setting daily and weekly priorities.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Partner with Sales, Quality, Finance, and Warehouse to ensure material visibility and sync operations.
• Continuous Improvement: Develop standardized procedures, track department KPIs, and implement cost-reduction initiatives.

Key Performance Indicators

• Schedule Adherence: Production schedule adherence and on-time customer delivery.
• Supply Chain Efficiency: Supplier on-time delivery, past-due POs, and VMI program compliance.
• Inventory Health: MISys/Sage planning data accuracy, inventory turns, and reduction of obsolete stock.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or related field preferred.
• Experience: 5 years in materials management, production planning, or purchasing within a manufacturing environment. Experience managing VMI programs and parts outsourcing preferred. Supervisory experience preferred.
• Technical Skills: Hands-on experience with MISys and Sage MRP/ERP platforms (or equivalents), master scheduling, and advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Core Competencies: Leadership, strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, vendor management, analytical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving.

Working Relationships

• Internal: Director of Operations, Production, Sales/Customer Service, Engineering, Quality, Warehouse, Finance.
• External: Suppliers, vendors, and contract manufacturers.

Pay: $85,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

Salary : $85,000 - $100,000