Buyer/Planner

Tenneco•Manitowoc, WI

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role is responsible for developing and maintaining production plans, managing direct materials procurement, and ensuring effective communication between various departments to meet production and customer requirements. The Buyer/Planner will play a key role in optimizing inventory levels, monitoring production performance, and resolving material shortages to minimize disruptions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Mgmt; Business Mgmt; or equivalent.
Minimum of 5 years Materials/Manufacturing experience.
Minimum of 1-2 years of inventory management and/or materials planning experience.
Background in master scheduling, forecasting, procurement and planning.
Experience in manufacturing, automotive preferred.
Strong computer, analytical, problem solving, and communications skills.
Skilled in basic computer software (word processing, spreadsheets, SAP).
Must be well-organized, detail oriented, and have excellent oral and written communications skills.
Forward thinking skills and ability to troubleshoot constraints.
Ability to maintain composure in fast paced work environment.
Strong Excel skills.
An ability to relate well to a variety of work styles and work in a team-based organization environment; a work style that develops rapport, listens, builds constructive and effective relationships, uses diplomacy and tact, commands immediate credibility by being not only knowledgeable in technical subject matters, but also by treating people with respect.

Nice To Haves

APICS certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain production plans based on forecasts, customer demand, inventory levels, capacity constraints, and business requirements using ERP and planning systems.
Monitor actual production performance against the Master Production Plan and adjust schedules as needed to address changing priorities, demand fluctuations, material availability, and production constraints.
Review and distribute production, work, and shipment schedules while communicating schedule changes and priorities to manufacturing and cross-functional teams.
Monitor the flow of materials and finished goods throughout the production process, expediting shop orders as necessary to meet customer and production requirements.
Serve as the primary liaison between Production, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Shipping, Customer Service, and other departments to ensure effective communication and execution of production plans.
Track and report production progress, inventory levels, schedule attainment, costs, and operational issues; proactively identify gaps and implement corrective actions.
Review production reports, open orders, and schedule variances daily to ensure alignment with operational and customer needs.
Assemble and maintain manufacturing routers and related production documentation.
Act as the key contact for production and materials teams, tracking shop orders from release through completion.
Maintain ERP master data, including production planning and material-related information.
Work closely with Manufacturing, Materials, and Purchasing teams to ensure material availability and efficient order flow throughout the facility.
Plan and procure raw materials to support production requirements while maintaining established inventory targets.
Issue and manage purchase orders for direct materials, including vendor follow-up and order book management.
Monitor supplier deliveries and resolve material shortages to minimize production disruptions and expedite costs.
Manage excess, slow-moving, and non-moving inventory by identifying and recommending corrective actions.
Monitor inventory performance and recommend actions to optimize inventory investment and material availability.