Manager – Production Planning & Control, Material Planning & Buying

Rittal LLC•Urbana, OH

1d•$100,000•Onsite

About The Position

Rittal LLC is a global manufacturer of industrial and IT enclosures, racks, and accessories, including cooling solutions and power management systems for industrial, data center, outdoor, and hybrid applications. As the largest manufacturer of enclosures in the world, Rittal provides innovative, high-quality solutions for practically any industrial or IT infrastructure application, from single enclosures to comprehensive, mission-critical systems. Products are tested and certified to applicable standards including UL, CSA, ATEX, and NEMA. Learn more at rittal.us. As the Manager - Production Planning & Control, Material Planning & Buying, you will lead all aspects of production planning, production control, material planning, and direct material purchasing activities to ensure efficient operations and on-time delivery performance. This role is responsible for guiding a team of planners and buyers, optimizing inventory and production flow, and supporting operational excellence initiatives that drive employee engagement, safety, productivity, profitability, and customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate will thrive in a complex, multi-product manufacturing environment and possess strong leadership, analytical, and SAP expertise.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or a related field required.
Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Minimum 5-6 years of progressive experience in Production Planning & Control within a manufacturing environment.
Strong experience in direct material planning and purchasing.
Experience leading teams in a fast-paced production environment.
Advanced knowledge of SAP R/3 required.
Strong understanding of APO PP/DS (Advanced Planning & Optimization for Production Planning and Demand/Supply).
Solid understanding of production planning principles, procurement strategies, and inventory management practices.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Continuous improvement mindset.
Excellent leadership and team development skills.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Strong organizational and project management capabilities.
Ability to prioritize multiple initiatives simultaneously.
Adaptable and proactive approach to changing customer and production demands.
Regularly stand, walk, bend, twist, and reach throughout the workday.
Spend extended periods on the manufacturing floor and/or working at a computer workstation.
Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds to waist level and above shoulder height.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.
Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Adapt quickly to changing priorities and assignments.
Manage multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.
Learn and utilize new software systems and business processes.
Effectively coach, develop, and motivate employees.
Communicate professionally with employees, vendors, and customers at all organizational levels.
Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) while in manufacturing environments, including: Safety glasses with side shields, Safety-toed footwear, Hearing protection when required, Additional PPE as necessary.
Comply with all customer PPE requirements when visiting customer facilities.

Nice To Haves

SAP HANA experience strongly preferred.
APICS certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead, develop, and direct a team of production planners and buyers.
Develop and implement planning strategies that balance customer demand, material availability, and production capacity.
Ensure timely responses to demand fluctuations while optimizing inventory levels and material availability.
Guide the effective release, scheduling, and sequencing of production orders.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on planning, production control, and purchasing processes.
Establish and maintain standardized work procedures.
Monitor delivery reliability and schedule attainment metrics.
Implement corrective actions to improve operational performance.
Collaborate across departments to identify and proactively address production constraints.
Analyze production and supply chain data to support decision-making.
Develop action plans to eliminate bottlenecks and improve production flow.
Identify and implement new technologies and process improvements that enhance efficiency.
Foster a positive, engaging, and high-performing work environment.
Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
Develop team capabilities and succession planning initiatives.
Champion safety and continuous improvement culture throughout the organization.
Manage direct material planning and purchasing activities.
Ensure materials are acquired on time and at optimal cost.
Utilize SAP R/3 for forecasting, purchasing, inventory management, and planning activities.
Partner with sourcing and procurement teams to support supply chain objectives.