MFG Salaries - Materials - Production Planner

North American Stamping Group; Pulaski (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

North American Stamping Group seeks a procurement professional to translate customer demand into material requirements and drive purchasing, planning, and release processes. You will manage steel releases, supplier schedules, and inventory to meet cost, quality, and delivery targets.

The role involves coordinating with suppliers, internal customers, and production teams, maintaining material specifications, supporting PPAP activities, and providing backup coverage for the Production and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain or related field preferred; or minimum 3 years automotive manufacturing or supply chain experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to interact with all levels of the organization.

Responsibilities

• Process customer releases and analyze demand to ensure accurate planning and uninterrupted production support.
• Create, review, and manage steel releases based on customer schedules, inventory levels, and lead times.
• Monitor demand fluctuations and communicate material requirements to suppliers.
• Evaluate steel availability against the Master Production Schedule.
• Purchase raw materials, steel, components, and assembly materials.
• Maintain purchase orders for suppliers and outside processors.
• Obtain quotations and procure materials for new launches and engineering changes.
• Prepare and evaluate RFQ packages.
• Conduct spot buys when suppliers cannot meet requirements.

Skills

Clear communication

Independent / self-starter

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Leadership

Cross-functional interaction

Education

Bachelor's in Supply Chain or related field

3+ years auto manufacturing purchasing experience

Tools

ERP/MRP software

MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Position Summary

Responsible for the procurement and releasing of raw material and keeping inventory levels on target. Monthly scorecards to suppliers on performance. Maintain MRO inventories to ensure efficient production capabilities, cost management and supplier management, and development. Also responsible for processing customer releases, managing steel releases, purchasing raw materials and components, maintaining supplier relationships, controlling inventory levels, and supporting production requirements. This position ensures customer demand is translated into accurate material requirements, supplier schedules, and procurement activities while meeting company goals for cost, quality, delivery, and inventory performance.

Purchasing, Planning & Release Management

• Process customer releases and analyze demand requirements to ensure accurate planning and uninterrupted production support.
• Create, review, and manage steel releases based on customer schedules, inventory levels, production requirements, and supplier lead times.
• Monitor customer demand fluctuations and communicate material requirements to suppliers.
• Evaluate steel availability against the Master Production Schedule.
• Purchase raw materials, steel, components, and assembly materials.
• Maintain purchase orders for suppliers and outside processors.
• Obtain quotations and procure materials for new launches and engineering changes.
• Prepare and evaluate RFQ packages.
• Conduct spot buys when suppliers cannot meet requirements.

Cost Management

• Maintain cost adjustment mechanisms and annual purchasing budgets.
• Develop cost reduction initiatives through waste elimination, supplier negotiations, and PPV opportunities.
• Identify and implement approved cost‑saving projects.

Inventory & Supplier Management

• Purchase materials while maintaining inventory targets.
• Reconcile raw material inventory to theoretical and QA hold inventory.
• Conduct cycle counts and investigate root causes of variances.
• Track supplier performance and corrective actions.
• Monitor industry and market conditions affecting supply and pricing.

Support Responsibilities

• Assist with daily production meetings.
• Maintain raw material specification sheets.
• Support PPAP activities and engineering changes.
• Provide backup coverage for the Production and Inventory Control Manager.
• Assist Receiving Technicians regarding material priorities.

Minimum Qualifications/Requirements

Prefer bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain or similarly related field; or minimum 3 years automotivemanufacturing or supply chain experience

• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, logically, persuasively, and accurately, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision; self-starter with high drive and a quality results orientation.
• Ability to effectively communicate and work well with people at all organizational levels and from various backgrounds.
• Willing to work in a team environment, adapt to the changing needs of the organization, and provide support as workloads fluctuate.
• Excellent skills in dealing with fast pace, challenging and often "impossible" situations; must like solving problems and getting the job done.
• Willingness and ability to collaborate with internal customers and other functional groups to provide optimal solutions while complying with corporate guidelines.
• Strong leadership skills demonstrated through championing accountability, maximizing team and individual strengths, seeking and implementing change, and aligning with critical plant and business objectives.

Language Skills

• Must be able to clearly speak, read, write, and understand the primary language (English) used in the workplace.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups and/or boards of directors.
• Secondary language of Spanish is beneficial.

Computer/Software

• Must demonstrate proficiency with Microsoft Office and other computer-based applications (e.g., MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook, Internet, etc.).
• Working knowledge and experience with ERP/MRP software.

Training

• New Hire Orientation
• Environmental, Health, & Safety
• IATF-16949 Systems
• ISO-14001 Systems
• Introduction to Lean
• Associate Involvement
• Quick Die Change – SMED
• Workplace Organization – 5S
• Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
• TQPS Workshop
• ShopEdge ERP System
• Purchasing Procedures
• QCBD Document Control

Work Environment/Conditions

Office: Open Office Environment

Plant: Various types of manufacturing environments. Standard automotive plant environment with moderate noise levels.

Experience

• Production Control working knowledge
• Minimum 3 years in automotive manufacturing purchasing role.
• Experience in manufacturing settings with a proven track record of delivering results.
• Prior experience with multi-site responsibility in a manufacturing setting preferred.
• Production and inventory control education or experience.
• Will possess the organizational skills necessary to maintain company records in compliance with theMaterials Department and IATF-16949 systems.
• Must be able to work with all levels of company management as well as customers and vendors.

Personal/Technical Skills

General understanding and working knowledge of manufacturing, assembly, and welding equipment and tooling including design, automation, robotics, or manufacturing processes (and all secondary related processes) relating to automotive stamping.

• Thorough understanding of company product, trade terminology, quality management and control systems and techniques, manufacturing processes including material controls, workflow, scheduling, Kanban, and equipment and machine operation.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and evaluate others.
• Must be a self-starter with the ability to prioritize workload.
• Ability to create momentum and foster organizational change.
• Excellent judgment, problem solving skills, and decision making.
• Team player; must be able to establish teams and manage projects.
• Strong negotiation and consulting skills, with the ability to influence others.
• Talent for recognizing better and innovative ways to accomplish objectives.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects done with a limited support staff.
• Strong customer service orientation with both internal and external customers.
• Results driven with a positive attitude, exhibit flexibility, and adaptable to change.
• Demonstrated training and presentation skills. Able to influence executive decisions.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic plans through persuasion, education, and training.
• Must be data-driven and possess a high level of attention to detail, accuracy, and data analysis.
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities and processes.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and others.
• Ability to communicate on a one-to-one basis and before groups to obtain or provide information.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects/initiatives with budget limits and time constraints.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with and include others in the organization.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, logically, persuasively, and accurately, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision; self-starter with high drive and quality results orientation.
• Ability to effectively communicate and work well with people at all organizational levels and from various backgrounds.
• Willing to work in a team environment, adapt to the changing needs of the organization, and provide support as workloads fluctuate.
• Excellent skills in dealing with fast pace, challenging and often "impossible" situations; must like solving problems and getting the job done.
• Willingness and ability to collaborate with internal customers and other functional groups to provide optimal solutions while complying with corporate guidelines.
• Strong leadership skills demonstrated through championing accountability, maximizing team and individual strengths, seeking and implementing change, and aligning with critical plant and business objectives.

Travel

Must be willing to travel up to 10% of the time with travel limited to less than 5%.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Although the primary job functions involve the ability to sit and work on a computer and in an office situation for extensive periods of time, the associate must be capable of walking, sitting, and standing for extended periods of time. The associate is frequently required to walk; reach with hands and arms; and talk, see, and hear. The associate is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The associate must be able to frequently lift and / or move up to 10 pounds, occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds and infrequently lift and / or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to identify the general nature and level of work performed by associates within this classification, as well as certain essential job functions. It is not intended, and should not be interpreted, as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice, based on operational needs. To qualify for this job, however, an associate must be able to perform its essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Under no circumstances may this job description be construed as altering the at-will nature of the employment relationship between NASG and any associate.

EOE/M/F/D/V