Planner/Buyer

Sika Corporation; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k match

Health benefits

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Sika Corporation is seeking a production planning and purchasing professional to optimize material flow and production schedules at our Aurora, IL facility. The role focuses on buying raw materials, maintaining accurate inventories, and coordinating with suppliers to meet demand while supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in manufacturing planning/purchasing, a relevant degree, and strong SAP/ERP proficiency.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of production planning and/or purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Supply Chain, or related field; APICS certification preferred.
• Proficiency in SAP (or comparable ERP systems) and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Strong understanding of inventory management, MRP, bill of materials, and component planning.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills with the ability to work across teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop production plans to maximize supply and achieve efficiency targets.
• Purchase raw materials, packaging, and other components to support production plan.
• Manage inventory levels and master data for materials and finished goods.
• Generate, monitor, and expedite purchase orders; communicate issues with suppliers.
• Develop and manage production schedules using SAP MRP and other planning tools.
• Balance inventory, capacity, and priorities to resolve constraints.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure timely material flow and order fulfillment.
• Ensure proper labeling, compliance, and execution of goals with R&D, Marketing, EHS, and Operations.
• Conduct inventory control activities including cycle counts and reconciliations.

Skills

Production planning

Purchasing

SAP / ERP

Excel

Inventory management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Management / Supply Chain

APICS certification preferred

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

With more than 100 years of experience, Sika is a worldwide innovation and sustainability leader in the development and production of systems and products for commercial and residential construction, as well as the transportation, marine, automotive, and renewable energy manufacturing industries.

Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a globally leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protection in the building sector and industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 103 countries around the world, produces in over 400 factories, and develops innovative technologies for customers worldwide. In doing so, it plays a crucial role in enabling the transformation of the construction and transportation industries toward greater environmental compatibility. Approximately 33,000 employees generated CHF 11.20 billion in sales in 2025.

Job Description

Develop production plans to maximize supply and achieve operational and inventory efficiency targets. Purchase raw materials, packaging, and other components to achieve the production plan.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Manage purchasing of raw materials and packaging to support production requirements, inventory targets, and demand forecasts.
• Maintain accurate inventory levels and master data for raw materials, packaging, and finished goods to support efficient planning and operations.
• Generate, monitor, and expedite purchase orders while communicating supply issues, pricing changes, and lead-time impacts with suppliers and Corporate Procurement.
• Develop and manage production schedules using SAP MRP and other planning tools to ensure product availability and optimize plant resources.
• Resolve production and capacity constraints by balancing inventory, machine capacity, manpower, and operational priorities.
• Coordinate with Production, Quality, Logistics, Customer Service, Shipping/Receiving, and other cross-functional teams to ensure timely material flow and order fulfillment.
• Partner with R&D, Marketing, EHS, and Operations to ensure proper product and raw material labeling, compliance, and execution of operational goals.
• Conduct inventory control activities, including warehouse walkthroughs, cycle counts, discrepancy investigations, and inventory reconciliations to maintain accuracy and material visibility.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of production planning and/or purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Supply Chain, or related field; APICS certification preferred.
• Proficiency in SAP (or comparable ERP systems) and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Strong understanding of inventory management, material requirements planning (MRP), bill of materials, and component planning.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across teams.

Additional Information

• 401k with Generous Company Match
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Paid time off, paid holidays
• Wellness/Fitness Reimbursements
• Education Assistance
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Employee Referral Program & More!

Sika fosters a culture of entrepreneurship, empowering each individual to make decisions, learn from experiences, and shape their own career path. The safety and well-being of employees are top priorities at Sika, with a strong commitment to open communication and maintaining a safe workplace. In addition, Sika actively contributes to the community and promotes sustainability by giving back, minimizing environmental impact, and embracing social responsibility.

Sika Corporation is committed to a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals that apply. As an equal opportunity employer Sika will consider all qualified applicants without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, national or ethnic origin, or other protected characteristics.

We offer competitive salaries, aligned with local market benchmarks and the specific scope and responsibilities of each role. Compensation is determined based skills relevant to the position, education and/or training. We are committed to fair and equitable pay practices in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.