Materials Planner

Android/Avancez•Warren, MI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Materials Planner will develop and manage material plans to support production schedules, new product launches, engineering changes, special projects, and end-of-life programs. This role involves monitoring inventory levels and material availability to ensure uninterrupted production while achieving inventory and working capital targets. The planner will optimize material consumption, minimize excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory, and analyze material requirements to proactively identify potential shortages, risks, and supply chain disruptions. Additionally, the role requires coordinating material planning activities for an efficient flow of materials throughout the manufacturing process, supporting new product introductions and program launches by ensuring material readiness, and collaborating with production, engineering, procurement, and quality teams. The Materials Planner will also process supplier forecasts, monitor supplier performance, work closely with suppliers to resolve issues, review supplier commitments, and escalate material-related risks. Responsibilities include reviewing and analyzing Bills of Material (BOMs), maintaining accurate material planning data within ERP systems (like QAD), monitoring inventory transactions, reconciling discrepancies, and generating reports. The role also involves participating in cross-functional meetings, supporting process improvements, and providing backup support within the Materials department, while adhering to all company safety policies and procedures.

Requirements

Strong understanding of materials planning, inventory control, production scheduling, and supply chain processes.
Proficiency with ERP systems, including QAD or similar manufacturing systems.
Experience working with Kanban and lean material replenishment systems.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to analyze production requirements and implement effective material planning strategies.
Knowledge of manufacturing material flows, layouts, and warehouse operations.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across all organizational levels.
Ability to identify risks, develop solutions, and drive issue resolution.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
Customer-focused mindset with a strong sense of urgency and accountability.
Ability to reconcile inventory and material-related accounts.
High School diploma
3+ years of experience in materials, material follow up, analysis, and/or compliance

Nice To Haves

APICS Certification (CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent).
Experience in automotive or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
Familiarity with customer-specific requirements and IATF 16949 standards.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage material plans to support production schedules, new product launches, engineering changes, special projects, and end-of-life programs.
Monitor inventory levels and material availability to ensure uninterrupted production while achieving inventory and working capital targets.
Optimize material consumption and minimize excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory.
Analyze material requirements and proactively identify potential shortages, risks, and supply chain disruptions.
Coordinate material planning activities to ensure an efficient flow of materials throughout the manufacturing process.
Support new product introductions and program launches by ensuring material readiness and implementation of required systems and processes.
Coordinate production build requirements to meet customer demand and business objectives.
Collaborate with production, engineering, procurement, and quality teams to support launch activities and ongoing operations.
Analyze engineering changes and implement appropriate actions to mitigate material impacts.
Process supplier forecasts and monitor supplier performance to ensure alignment with production requirements.
Work closely with suppliers to resolve material shortages, delivery issues, and capacity constraints.
Review supplier commitments and inventory positions to support customer demand and production schedules.
Escalate material-related risks and recommend corrective actions when necessary.
Review, audit, and analyze Bills of Material (BOMs) to identify critical-path materials and potential supply risks.
Maintain accurate material planning data within ERP systems, including QAD and customer-specific systems.
Monitor inventory transactions, reconcile discrepancies, and ensure data accuracy.
Generate and analyze reports to support planning decisions and business objectives.
Participate in cross-functional meetings and contribute to production build plans, schedules, and action plans.
Support the development and improvement of material planning processes, systems, and procedures.
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance supply chain performance.
Provide backup support and guidance within the Materials department as needed.
Follow all company safety policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.