Buyer/planner

Aston Carter•Solon, OH

3d•$36 - $36•Onsite

About The Position

The Planner develops and maintains production schedules that align customer orders, forecasts, and safety stock levels with available capacity and materials. This role monitors inventory, coordinates closely with production, sourcing, planning, and warehouse teams, and uses ERP/MRP systems to keep production and inventory data accurate and current. The Planner proactively identifies supply chain risks, recommends process improvements, and ensures timely material flow from manufacturing to distribution and work centers.

Requirements

2–5 years of experience in a manufacturing planning role.
Hands-on experience with production planning and schedule planning in a manufacturing environment.
Strong background in inventory management, including managing safety stock, stockouts, and overstock situations.
Proficiency with ERP and MRP systems for production and inventory planning.
Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
Experience using SQL for data analysis and reporting.
Experience with data visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
Familiarity with ERP and MES systems such as SAP, Oracle, M3, or similar platforms.
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles.
Knowledge of Six Sigma principles.
Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams.
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to respond quickly to changing priorities.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a materials planning or supply chain planning function within a manufacturing setting.
Demonstrated ability to coordinate with production, sourcing, planning, and warehouse teams.
Experience maintaining accurate records of inventory, shipments, and distribution activities.
Experience in identifying and implementing process improvement ideas related to planning and material flow.
Comfort working with and learning different ERP and MES platforms, including SAP, Oracle, and M3.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain detailed production schedules based on customer orders, demand forecasts, and safety stock requirements.
Monitor inventory levels to prevent stockouts and overstock situations, adjusting plans as needed to maintain optimal inventory.
Coordinate daily with Production, Planning, Sourcing, and Warehouse teams to ensure product availability and on-time order fulfillment.
Use ERP/MRP systems to input, update, and validate production, inventory, and order data to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
Track progress on work orders, identify delays or constraints, and adjust production plans to meet delivery commitments.
Maintain accurate records of inventory, shipments, and distribution activities to support traceability and reporting.
Monitor for potential supply chain disruptions, analyze impact, and propose practical solutions or contingency plans.
Identify and recommend process improvement opportunities in planning, scheduling, and material flow.
Maintain Distribution Order dating to optimize material flow from Manufacturing to the Distribution Center.
Support operations by ensuring on-time delivery of materials to work centers to minimize downtime and maximize efficiency.