Materials Planner / Account Manager

MSI Express; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

MSI Express is a single-source contract manufacturing and packaging company delivering innovative engineering solutions from our strategically located network of manufacturing facilities. The Account Manager role focuses on managing customer relationships, ensuring accurate order processing, and overseeing material flow to meet demand, collaborating with production, logistics, and quality teams.

Responsibilities include handling orders, keeping customers informed about delivery schedules,

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Bachelor's degree in related field.
• 4+ years of experience in purchasing or material planning, purchasing, materials management.
• Food manufacturing experience.
• Demonstrated track record in improving inventory accuracy, driving inventory reduction strategies and reducing premium freight.
• Strong Math and Typing Skills.
• Basic level of business acumen, strong attention to detail and analytical skills.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing, material flow and improvement strategies and the ability to integrate those into the operation.
• Excellent organizational and people skills, project management skills, with an ability to openly convey information to team members in a timely, concise manner.
• Understanding of applicable computer systems, such as Microsoft Office, Nulogy, Tableau, etc.
• Leadership
• Budget Management
• Metric Development
• Ability to identify and propose potential solutions to production
• Demonstrated Understanding of Materials Management

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain strong relationships with customers.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of orders.
• Oversee efficient flow of materials to meet customer demand.
• Collaborate with production, logistics, and quality control for smooth plant operations.
• Assist in new product launches with commercialization and site teams to meet timelines.
• Handle customer issues and complaints; log and follow up to resolution.
• Receive and process customer orders accurately; verify details and delivery schedules.
• Prepare job files and specs for internal processing and manufacturing.
• Track order fulfillment and communicate shortages to customers.
• Participate in material planning; drive inventory level improvements and reduce obsolescence.
• Coordinate with production and procurement to ensure optimal inventory levels.
• Coordinate with logistics to facilitate on-time deliveries to customers.
• Identify and address supply chain issues and escalate as needed.
• Maintain clear communication with customers regarding orders and changes.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to convey customer requirements and expectations.
• Negotiate terms, pricing, and delivery schedules; manage contracts to ensure compliance.
• Analyze data on order performance, buying patterns, and inventory levels; provide management insights.
• Support quality focus; ensure materials/products meet QC standards; address quality issues.

Skills

Customer relationship management

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Project management

Communication

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Office

Nulogy

Tableau

SAP

Oracle

Job description

MSI Express is a single-source contract manufacturing and packaging company, delivering innovative engineering solutions from our strategically located network of manufacturing facilities.

Role Purpose / Position Summary

The Account Manager is responsible for managing and maintaining strong relationships with customers, ensuring timely and accurate processing of orders, and overseeing the efficient flow of materials to meet customer demand. This role involves collaboration with internal teams, such as production, logistics, and quality control, to ensure efficient plant operations and exceptional customer satisfaction.

Customer Relationship Management

• Build and nurture strong, long‑lasting relationships with customers
• Understand customer needs, preferences, and expectations to provide personalized service
• Ensure customer reports and information are accurate and communicated to customer in a timely fashion
• Interface into customer reporting systems (i.e., SAP, Oracle for scheduling, production, -most times by lot control), shipping, receiving, and managing procurement of customer owned raw materials for specific customer assigned
• Assist in new product launches, collaborate with commercialization team, and site team to meet with timelines and other targets
• Handle customer issues & complaints by referring the issue to the appropriate department & logging them onto the system. Follow up to resolution

Order Processing

• Receive and process customer orders accurately and efficiently
• Verify order details, including quantities, specifications, and delivery schedules
• Prepare job files and project specifications for internal processing and manufacturing for specific customer assigned
• Track order fulfillment & communicate shorts to our customers with information on when product will be available

Material Inventory Management

• Participate in material planning process
• Drive change in managing inventory levels and inventory turns and minimizing obsolescence, scrap, aged inventories, and inventory reserves
• Analyze production yield, material usage, and material loss data to understand customer/material impacts
• Coordinate with production and procurement teams to ensure optimal inventory levels

Supply Chain Coordination

• Collaborate with internal supply chain teams to ensure timely procurement of raw materials and ingredients
• Oversee the supply of raw and packaging materials (whether customer or organization owned) for the facility to include new production to meet production schedules
• Coordinate with logistics teams to facilitate on-time deliveries to customers

Problem-Solving

• Identify and address customer-related supply chain issues promptly and effectively
• Resolve order discrepancies, shipping delays, or quality concerns in collaboration with relevant teams

Communication

• Maintain clear and open communication with customers regarding order status, changes, and potential issues
• Collaborate cross functionally with internal teams to convey customer requirements and expectations

Negotiation and Contract Management

• Negotiate terms, pricing, and delivery schedules with customers
• Manage contracts and agreements to ensure compliance with terms and conditions

Data Analysis

• Utilize data and analytics to track order performance, customer buying patterns, and inventory levels
• Provide insights to management for strategic decision-making

Quality Focus

• Ensure that materials and products meet quality control standards before delivery to customers
• Collaborate with quality control teams to address and resolve any quality issues
• Identify opportunities for process optimization and efficiency improvements within customer material account management
• Stay informed about industry trends and best practices
• Participate and assist in development of new, effective programs/policies for customer, supplier, transportation, and logistics management in conjunction with Supply Chain and plant leadership
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications / Capability Profile

• High school diploma or GED
• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• Four plus (4+) years of experience in purchasing or material planning, purchasing, materials management
• Food manufacturing experience
• Demonstrated track record in improving inventory accuracy, driving inventory reduction strategies and reducing premium freight
• Strong Math and Typing Skills
• Basic level of business acumen, strong attention to detail and analytical skills
• Working knowledge of manufacturing, material flow and improvement strategies and the ability to integrate those into the operation
• Excellent organizational and people skills, project management skills, with an ability to openly convey information to team members in a timely, concise manner
• Understanding of applicable computer systems, such as Microsoft Office, Nulogy, Tableau, etc.
• Leadership
• Budget Management
• Metric Development
• Ability to identify and propose potential solutions to production
• Demonstrated Understanding of Materials Management