Import Sales and Operations Planner
Location: Elkhart, IN
Description
The Import Sales and Operations Planner is responsible for leading demand planning, forecasting, inventory management, and production planning processes within a manufacturing environment. This role plays a key part in facilitating the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) cycle, aligning demand and supply plans, and optimizing inventory levels to achieve customer service and cost objectives.
The position is responsible for maintaining high levels of data accuracy and analysis to support demand and supply planning activities. Additional responsibilities include overseeing production planning, supporting root cause analysis, assisting with ERP/MRP system initiatives, and focusing on order planning, purchase order management, delivery performance, and inventory control.
Responsibilities
- Prioritize and release work orders and purchase orders based on Master Production Schedule and MRP recommendations.
- Support production scheduling through visual management systems, MRP, and shop floor control.
- Work with sales teams to establish priorities and align product deliveries with customer requirements.
- Analyze MRP outputs and purchasing plans based on system recommendations.
- Support ERP system implementation and optimization efforts.
- Review and analyze forecasted demand versus actual demand, identifying trends and variances.
- Measure, monitor, and improve S&OP plan accuracy through established metrics.
- Develop and implement data collection systems and strategies that improve data quality and operational efficiency.
- Coordinate order fulfillment activities and planning processes across the organization.
- Analyze capacity plans to ensure manufacturing operations can meet forecasted demand.
- Focus on order planning, inventory control, and delivery performance.
- Analyze production capacity and adapt schedules to meet customer requirements while optimizing resource utilization.
- Analyze and interpret supply chain data, including shipments, delivery performance, costs, and inventory levels.
- Facilitate schedule attainment and schedule conformance review meetings.
- Communicate production changes, schedule deviations, and updates to stakeholders.
- Assist with data analysis for materials, operations, and engineering teams to improve processes, reduce costs, and optimize inventory management.
- Create and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and operational plans.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret operational and performance data.
- Provide delivery status updates to sales, customer service, and other stakeholders.
- Conduct root cause analysis for inventory shortages and stock-out situations from a purchasing perspective.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business Management, Commercial Operations, IT, or related field preferred.
- Working knowledge of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
- Understanding of Bills of Materials (BOMs), work orders, material orders, and MRP processes within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience with ERP or materials management systems; Dynamics 365, Infor, and AS400 experience preferred.
- Experience with SQL, Excel queries/formulas, and Power BI is a plus.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies is preferred.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to perform repetitive computer-based work, including extended keyboard and monitor use.