What are the responsibilities and job description for the Material Planner-Buyer position at The Step2 Company, LLC?
Job Summary:
The Buyer / Material Planner is responsible for ensuring the availability of purchased components to support production at multiple Step2 facilities while effectively managing inventory, cost and supply risk. This role is a key contributor to the material supply strategy for assigned components, translating demand and MRP requirements into effective purchasing and replenishment decisions. The Buyer / Material Planner serves as the primary operational contact with assigned suppliers and works cross-functionally to identify and resolve supply issues, optimize planning parameters and continuously improve material flow in support of production.
Location: Onsite (Streetsboro, OH Headquarters)
Job Duties:
- Assist with the development of inventory and material supply strategies for assigned categories; identify and implement opportunities to continuously optimize those strategies.
- Optimize and manage MRP parameters in Oracle ERP system to support effective material planning and replenishment.
- Utilize deep knowledge of supplier cost structures and market trends to evaluate proposals, negotiate optimal pricing, and issue purchase orders that drive cost savings across assigned categories.
- Review MRP requirements and production schedules on a daily basis and take appropriate purchasing actions, including placement of purchase orders and releases, in accordance with established material supply strategies.
- Proactively identify and resolve potential material shortages and supply disruptions; communicate risks, status, and recovery plans to Production, Planning and other affected stakeholders.
- Build and maintain supplier relationships and act as the key liaison for operational/material-supply matters.
- Drive continuous improvement in material performance through root cause identification and corrective action management.
- Collaborate cross functionally with Production, Planning, Logistics, Quality, Engineering, and other stakeholders to support material planning requirements and production needs.
- Collaborate with Logistics to enhance inbound transportation efficiencies.
- Manage assigned Engineering Change Notices and coordinate execution with supplier base.
- Work with the quality department to drive supplier corrective actions and ensure supplier accountability.
- Support Procurement Leadership Team with various projects including vendor management and strategy creation, implementation, and periodic supplier business reviews.
- Serve as a backup for other positions within the Material Planning group.
- Other projects and tasks as assigned
Qualifications and Experience Requirements:
- Two to five years of professional material planning and/or purchasing experience; Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field of study preferred.
- Demonstrated understanding of material planning concepts, including MRP, inventory management, lead times, order quantities, replenishment strategies, and supplier constraints.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret demand, inventory, and supply data and translate analysis into effective planning decisions.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to analyze and manipulate large datasets using formulas, lookups, PivotTables, and other analytical tools.
- Demonstrated curiosity and a continuous-improvement mindset, with an interest in developing and adopting new tools, technologies, and methods to improve material planning effectiveness.
- High degree of ownership and accountability, with a demonstrated tendency to identify and solve problems rather than simply escalate them.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with others, approach problems constructively, and contribute positively to the team.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Effective supplier-management and negotiation skills.
- Experience with Oracle ERP or a comparable MRP/ERP system highly preferred.
- Ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple material requirements, supplier issues, and competing production priorities.
- Ability to travel up to 5%.
Work Environment:
This position will perform most job duties in an office environment where using a computer, software applications, telephone, printer, etc. are essential.
FLSA Status:
Exempt
What are the perks?
Paid Parental Leave
401k with Employer Match
Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance
Adoption Assistance
Medical, Dental and Vision
Employee Discount
10 Paid Holidays
Advancement Opportunities
Join our family!
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
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