Material Planner

Russell Stover Chocolates, LLC; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Russell Stover Chocolates, LLC is seeking a Material Planner to manage material requirements, coordinate with suppliers, and support manufacturing planning. The role relies on MRPs, ERP systems, and strong collaboration across production, marketing, and engineering to maintain optimal supply levels.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, excellent communication skills, and experience with Excel, PowerPoint, and SAP/IBP.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, read, and write English fluently.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience leveraging computer desktop applications (Excel, PowerPoint) skills.
• Experience with MRP/ERP systems.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Analyze MRP and production schedules to determine purchase requirements.
• Serve as front line planner/buyer with suppliers for specific commodities; coordinate shipments to meet production demands.
• Execute purchase requisitions and purchase orders to support planning and manufacturing; maintain inventory levels.
• Coordinate the resolution of invoice discrepancies when needed.
• Expedite and communicate back order and delivery status within supply chain.
• Cultivate and implement best practices with vendors; assist with new projects and development of specifications.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

SAP/IBP

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Details

• Title: Material Planner
• ID: 201789
• Department: Procurement
• Location: Kansas City, MO (RSC Corporate Headquarters)
• Classification: Regular
• Status: Full-Time

At Russell Stover, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you'll be part of the leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar-free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman's, and Pangburn's have been crafted with the finest ingredients to bring happiness to generations. Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company-owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let's continue making chocolate lovers happy!

A day in the life...

As a Material Planner, you will play a critical role in ensuring the timely and efficient procurement of packaging and raw materials to support manufacturing operations. Leveraging MRP systems and production schedules, you will analyze and determine material requirements to maintain optimal supply levels across our manufacturing sites. You will be responsible for coordinating with suppliers by issuing purchase order releases, communicating order details, and managing follow-ups through to delivery. In this role, you will also address and resolve invoice and quality discrepancies, and manage inbound shipments from co-pack suppliers to our Distribution Centers by reviewing supply and demand reports and placing orders accordingly. Success in this position requires strong collaboration across multiple functions-including production planning, marketing, and engineering-as well as effective communication with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

What you will be doing...

• Analyze MRP and production schedules to determine purchase requirements
• Serve as front line planner/buyer with suppliers for specific commodities, working directly with vendors to coordinate shipments to meet the company's production demands
• Execute purchase requisitions and purchase orders for products and services as needed to support planning, manufacturing, while maintaining appropriate inventory levels.
• Coordinate the resolution of invoice discrepancies when needed
• Expedite and communicate back order and delivery status within supply chain
• Cultivate and implement best practices with vendors
• Assist with new projects and development of specifications
• Review production samples for quality and conformance to specifications
• Completion of special tasks or projects assigned on an individual or group basis

If visiting our manufacturing plants, you will be expected to:

• Adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure product quality and maintain compliance with food safety standards
• Complete and follow FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support the plant's food safety and quality objectives
• Promptly report and take appropriate action on any observed or potential food safety hazards, process deviations, or non-conformities by notifying the designated plant supervisor, in accordance with your role and responsibilities
• Actively contributes to the continuous improvement of the company's Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with your role

This job posting is not all inclusive and other duties may be assigned.

Do you have what it takes?

(Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, read, and write English fluently, with or without an accommodation.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience leveraging computer desktop applications (Excel, PowerPoint) skills
• Experience with MPR/ERP systems
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and re-prioritize as needed

Do you stand above the rest?

(Preferred Qualifications)

• Manufacturing experience
• Experience with SAP/IBP

Experience Life at Russell Stover Plants!

• Safety First: Your well-being is our top priority, and we've got you covered with protective gear. On day one, you'll dive into Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training, and we'll keep you on your toes with daily safety tips to ensure you're always in the know!
• Surroundings: Get ready to work alongside a variety of equipment like automated packing machines, forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and those irresistible chocolate candy banks/steels - it's a dynamic environment where every day brings something new!
• Active & Engaging Work: Whether you're on your feet for extended periods, moving around, climbing ladders, or lifting up to 50 lbs, there's never a dull moment. This is a place where you'll stay on the move!
• Comfortable Climate: In most roles, you will be comfortable year-round with our climate-controlled environment.
• Appealing Smells: The air is filled with sweet aromas of chocolate, and by the time your shift ends, you might just leave smelling like chocolate!
• Dress to Impress (Food Safety Style): A simple yet important dress code ensures safety and hygiene, following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to keep everything running smoothly.
• Allergens: You will be exposed to a variety of ingredients that may be considered food allergens.

At Russell Stover Chocolates, we don't just accept difference - we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Russell Stover Chocolates is proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Employment by Russell Stover Chocolates is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.

Make Happy. Work Happy.