What are the responsibilities and job description for the Material Planner position at MAPAL Dr. Kress SE & Co. KG?
Your Tasks
Material Availability Management
We Offer
Material Availability Management
- Monitor material availability for production and customer orders across both Port Huron, MI and Fountain Inn, SC facilities.
- Process and resolve material-related exception messages (MD06) and shortages.
- Ensure availability of raw materials, PCD tips, carbide rods, purchased components, and externally processed materials.
- Coordinate with Production Control to prevent production delays caused by missing materials.
- Source alternative carbide rod and identify tip substitutes when standard materials are unavailable.
- Execute operational material planning (disposition) activities for both locations.
- Maintain inventory levels aligned with business and customer requirements.
- Monitor demand, supply, and inventory trends; support inventory optimization initiatives.
- Prepare and analyze inventory, shortage, and material-availability KPIs.
- Work with Procurement to expedite materials and external services; escalate supplier delivery issues and shortages.
- Coordinate external coating and processing services, including identifying the coating source and confirming post-coating grind diameter.
- Work with Shipping on purchase order creation; support sourcing alternatives when approved materials are unavailable.
- Create and maintain BOMs, routers, material masters, and lead times in SAP for both locations.
- Create and extend material numbers (Zmagento); verify revision levels and ensure SAP planning data remains accurate.
- Match tools with routers; collect BOM material for production orders.
- Support new material and product setup, including P-Blanks (Fountain Inn) file updates and related costing coordination with Germany.
- Support conversion of sales orders into planned and production orders.
- Review TET projects and special customer requirements with Customer Service.
- Create NACH, FOC, non-conforming, and rework orders; process TECO for individual orders.
- Coordinate repair planning and service-order activities; review service notes (ZPO9, QM12).
- Support OPT router creation, follow-up, and investigation across departments.
- Manage technical documentation — drawings, travelers, and laser marking.
- Analyze inventory, shortage, and material-availability performance; prepare reports and spreadsheets for management review.
- Investigate cost and machine-time variances; correct order costing errors.
- Support KPI reporting related to inventory, shortages, and material availability.
- Work closely with Customer Service, Purchasing, Production Control, Engineering, and Logistics at both Port Huron and Fountain Inn.
- Communicate material-related risks affecting production schedules or customer deliveries.
- Participate in daily and weekly production meetings as needed at each site.
- Exceed and exhibit all MAPAL Inc behaviors as defined by policy, procedure, and standards.
- Actively participate in cross-functional team projects and assignments as directed.
- Additional responsibilities as needs present.
- 2–4-year degree, desired (Technical/Vocational — Metal Machining, Drafting, Engineering, Supply Chain/Logistics) and/or equivalent experience.
- Experience in materials management, disposition, or inventory planning within a manufacturing environment (Make-to-Order/specials operation preferred).
- Working knowledge of SAP (PP/MM modules) master data maintenance; proficiency with Microsoft Office.
- Technical understanding of manufacturing processes, blueprint reading, and machining/tooling terminology; cutting tool industry experience a plus.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; structured, data-driven approach to decision-making.
- Excellent organization and time-management skills; able to manage priorities across two locations.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills; comfortable coordinating remotely and traveling between sites.
- Strong work ethic; self-motivated, independent, and capable of making decisions.
- Customer focused; ability to work cooperatively across cross-functional teams.
- Willingness to travel regularly between Port Huron, MI and Fountain Inn, SC.
We Offer
- Market competitive salary
- Benefit eligibility and vesting that start on your 1st day with us! (Medical, vision, dental, std, ltd, 401k)
- Opportunities for career development
- Training here and abroad
- Tuition reimbursement
- Wellness programs