Material Planner-Buyer

Step2; Streetsboro, Northern (OH, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with Employer Match

Company Paid Life & Disability Ins

Adoption Assistance

Medical, Dental and Vision

Employee Discount

10 Paid Holidays

Job summary

Step2 in Streetsboro, OH is seeking a hands-on Material Planner-Buyer to ensure the availability of purchased components and optimize inventory. This role drives procurement actions and supply chain reliability to support multiple facilities.

You will manage MRP parameters, negotiate with suppliers, and collaborate across Production, Planning, Logistics, Quality, and Engineering to support production needs. On-site role with strong Excel and Oracle ERP skills, travel up to 5%.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of material planning and/or purchasing experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Excel skills (PivotTables, Lookups, formulas).
• Experience with Oracle ERP or similar MRP/ERP system preferred.
• Excellent communication and supplier-management skills.
• Willing to travel up to 5%.

Responsibilities

• Develop inventory and material supply strategies for assigned categories.
• Optimize and manage MRP parameters in Oracle ERP.
• Evaluate proposals, negotiate pricing, issue purchase orders.
• Review MRP requirements and production schedules daily.
• Identify and resolve material shortages and supply disruptions.
• Build and maintain supplier relationships.
• Drive continuous improvement in material performance.
• Collaborate across Production, Planning, Logistics, Quality, Engineering.
• Coordinate with Logistics for inbound transportation efficiencies.
• Manage Engineering Change Notices with suppliers.
• Work with Quality on supplier corrective actions.
• Support Procurement Leadership on projects and supplier reviews.
• Serve as a backup within Material Planning.
• Other projects and tasks as assigned.

Skills

MRP knowledge

Excel advanced

Supplier management

Negotiation skills

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Office/computer skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field

Tools

Oracle ERP

MRP systems

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Material Planner-Buyer

Full Time Professional Streetsboro, OH, US

Job Summary:

The Buyer / Material Planner is responsible for ensuring the availability of purchased components to support production at multiple Step2 facilities while effectively managing inventory, cost and supply risk. This role is a key contributor to the material supply strategy for assigned components, translating demand and MRP requirements into effective purchasing and replenishment decisions. The Buyer / Material Planner serves as the primary operational contact with assigned suppliers and works cross-functionally to identify and resolve supply issues, optimize planning parameters and continuously improve material flow in support of production.

Job Duties:

• Assist with the development of inventory and material supply strategies for assigned categories; identify and implement opportunities to continuously optimize those strategies.
• Optimize and manage MRP parameters in Oracle ERP system to support effective material planning and replenishment.
• Utilize deep knowledge of supplier cost structures and market trends to evaluate proposals, negotiate optimal pricing, and issue purchase orders that drive cost savings across assigned categories.
• Review MRP requirements and production schedules on a daily basis and take appropriate purchasing actions, including placement of purchase orders and releases, in accordance with established material supply strategies.
• Proactively identify and resolve potential material shortages and supply disruptions; communicate risks, status, and recovery plans to Production, Planning and other affected stakeholders.
• Build and maintain supplier relationships and act as the key liaison for operational/material-supply matters.
• Drive continuous improvement in material performance through root cause identification and corrective action management.
• Collaborate cross functionally with Production, Planning, Logistics, Quality, Engineering, and other stakeholders to support material planning requirements and production needs.
• Collaborate with Logistics to enhance inbound transportation efficiencies.
• Manage assigned Engineering Change Notices and coordinate execution with supplier base.
• Work with the quality department to drive supplier corrective actions and ensure supplier accountability.
• Support Procurement Leadership Team with various projects including vendor management and strategy creation, implementation, and periodic supplier business reviews.
• Serve as a backup for other positions within the Material Planning group.
• Other projects and tasks as assigned

Qualifications and Experience Requirements:

• Two to five years of professional material planning and/or purchasing experience; Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field of study preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of material planning concepts, including MRP, inventory management, lead times, order quantities, replenishment strategies, and supplier constraints.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret demand, inventory, and supply data and translate analysis into effective planning decisions.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to analyze and manipulate large datasets using formulas, lookups, PivotTables, and other analytical tools.
• Demonstrated curiosity and a continuous-improvement mindset, with an interest in developing and adopting new tools, technologies, and methods to improve material planning effectiveness.
• High degree of ownership and accountability, with a demonstrated tendency to identify and solve problems rather than simply escalation them.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with others, approach problems constructively, and contribute positively to the team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective supplier-management and negotiation skills.
• Experience with Oracle ERP or a comparable MRP/ERP system highly preferred.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple material requirements, supplier issues, and competing production priorities.
• Ability to travel up to 5%.

This position will perform most job duties in an office environment where using a computer, software applications, telephone, printer, etc. are essential.

FLSA Status

Exempt

What are the perks?

• 401k with Employer Match
• Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance
• Adoption Assistance
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Employee Discount
• 10 Paid Holidays

Join our family!

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.