Materials Planner

Socket.dev; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

PTO and paid holidays

Sick time per policy

Company-paid life insurance

Job summary

GTI Fabrication is seeking a highly analytical Materials Planner to manage material readiness across multiple manufacturing value streams. You will ensure materials are available to support production schedules while optimizing inventory levels and working capital.

The role requires strong ERP/MRP expertise, inventory management discipline, and the ability to proactively identify material risks before they impact production. Experience in contract manufacturing is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of Materials Planning, Production Planning, Inventory Planning, or Supply Chain experience.
• Experience within contract manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, EMS, modular construction, or engineered-to-order environments.
• Strong understanding of: MRP, Inventory Management, Material Requirements Planning, Safety Stock Methodologies, Demand Planning Principles, Supply Chain Operations.
• Advanced ERP experience (SAP, Oracle, Epicor, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar).

Responsibilities

• Own and manage Can Clear-to-Build (CTB) status for assigned production schedules and manufacturing orders.
• Conduct daily material readiness reviews to ensure production orders are fully supported prior to release.
• Identify material shortages, supply constraints, and inventory gaps that could impact production schedules.
• Escalate critical material risks and drive cross-functional recovery plans with Procurement and Operations teams.
• Maintain visibility of material availability across fabrication, assembly, electrical integration, and final system builds.
• Partner with Production Planning to ensure material availability aligns with manufacturing schedules.
• Collaborate with Buyers and Procurement teams to expedite critical shortages and manage supplier constraints.
• Support cycle counting, inventory accuracy initiatives, and material control processes.
• Review MRP outputs daily and take appropriate planning actions.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Data analysis

Demand planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business, Industrial Engineering, or related field

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Epicor

NetSuite

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

GTI is a contract manufacturing partner supporting customers in renewable energy, power generation, infrastructure, and industrial systems.

We fabricate custom designed, purpose-built enclosures and skids for our customers and perform mechanical and electrical integration in-house, delivering a true turn-key product to our customers. Our scope spans Engineering, prototype builds, through full production, requiring teams that can move fast, adapt, and execute with precision.

GTI Values: Safey I Quality I Customer Obsession I Speed I Agility

Position Overview

GTI Fabrication is seeking a highly analytical and execution-focused Materials Planner to manage material readiness across multiple manufacturing value streams. This role is responsible for ensuring materials are available to support production schedules while optimizing inventory levels, warehouse utilization, and working capital performance.

The Materials Planner serves as a critical link between Supply Chain, Production Planning, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Warehouse Operations. Success in this role requires strong ERP/MRP expertise, inventory management discipline, and the ability to proactively identify material risks before they impact production.

The ideal candidate possesses experience in contract manufacturing, engineered-to-order environments, or complex industrial manufacturing operations where material availability directly impacts throughput, on-time delivery, and operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

Material Readiness & Clear-to-Build Management

• Own and manage Clear-to-Build (CTB) status for assigned production schedules and manufacturing orders.
• Conduct daily material readiness reviews to ensure production orders are fully supported prior to release.
• Identify material shortages, supply constraints, and inventory gaps that could impact production schedules.
• Escalate critical material risks and drive cross-functional recovery plans with Procurement and Operations teams.
• Maintain visibility of material availability across fabrication, assembly, electrical integration, and final system builds.

Inventory Planning & Optimization

• Manage inventory levels to support production demand while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.
• Analyze inventory health, turns, aging inventory, and warehouse capacity utilization.
• Drive inventory reduction initiatives while maintaining service level and production continuity.
• Monitor safety stock levels and recommend adjustments based on demand variability, lead times, and supplier performance.
• Support cycle counting, inventory accuracy initiatives, and material control processes.

ERP / MRP Management

• Maintain planning parameters including:
  
  • Safety Stock
  • Reorder Points
  • Min/Max Levels
  • Lead Times
  • Lot Sizing Rules
  • Order Policies
  • Ensure ERP planning data remains accurate and aligned with operational requirements.
  • Review MRP outputs daily and take appropriate planning actions.
  • Drive continuous improvement of planning master data and system integrity.

Production & Supply Chain Coordination

• Partner closely with Production Planning to ensure material availability aligns with manufacturing schedules.
• Collaborate with Buyers and Procurement teams to expedite critical shortages and manage supplier constraints.
• Work with Warehouse Operations to optimize inventory placement and material flow.
• Participate in daily production meetings, shortage reviews, and supply chain planning discussions.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) and engineering change implementation activities.

Inventory Health & Supply Chain Analytics

• Develop and maintain material status reporting and shortage dashboards.
• Analyze demand trends, consumption patterns, and forecast changes impacting inventory requirements.
• Monitor supplier performance metrics impacting material availability.
• Generate recommendations to improve inventory efficiency and working capital performance.
• Support monthly inventory reviews and executive supply chain reporting.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Clear-to-Build Performance
• Material Availability
• Inventory Turns
• Days of Inventory On Hand (DOH)
• Safety Stock Compliance
• Inventory Accuracy
• Excess & Obsolete Inventory Reduction
• Production Schedule Adherence
• Material Shortage Reduction
• Working Capital Improvement

Requirements

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of Materials Planning, Production Planning, Inventory Planning, or Supply Chain experience.
• Experience within contract manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, EMS, modular construction, or engineered-to-order environments.
• Strong understanding of:
  • MRP
  • Inventory Management
  • Material Requirements Planning
  • Safety Stock Methodologies
  • Demand Planning Principles
  • Supply Chain Operations
  • Advanced ERP experience (SAP, Oracle, Epicor, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar).
  • Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.

Preferred

• APICS CPIM certification.
• Experience supporting high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of BOM structures, ECO processes, and engineering-driven manufacturing.
• Experience supporting electrical integration, fabrication, welding, or modular manufacturing operations.

Benefits & Perks

GTI Energy offers a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support employees and their families while providing long-term career growth opportunities within a fast-growing manufacturing organization. Benefits may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match (where applicable)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Sick time in accordance with state and local requirements
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
• Career advancement opportunities within a rapidly growing organization
• Exposure to advanced manufacturing, modular infrastructure, and large-scale industrial projects
• Collaborative, fast-paced environment with strong operational and engineering leadership
• Employee-focused culture centered on safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement

Benefits eligibility and offerings may vary based on position, location, and employment classification.

GTI promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, marital status, or any other Federal or State legally-protected classes. We also value the safety of all employees and work hard to maintain a Drug Free Workplace.

Privacy Policy

Terms & Conditions