Sr Material Planner

The Vollrath Company; Kiel (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Vollrath Company is seeking a Senior Material Planner to lead inventory management and production scheduling to meet customer and production requirements. This role also focuses on improving established processes for maximum efficiency.

Responsibilities include executing planning messages (MRP, requisitions), releasing POs, expediting orders, maintaining planning parameters, and driving continuous improvement projects.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in operations, supply chain, business or equivalent.
• 5+ years experience in planning/manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with manufacturing and quality systems.
• Committed to lifelong education.
• Proven team player with strong interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Pivot tables, VLOOKUP).
• Ability to lead a team in a project environment.
• Ability to identify cost down and continual improvement opportunities.
• Understanding of manufacturing KPIs and improvement opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Execute planning messages (MRP, Virtual Pull, requisitions) to meet production and customer requirements.
• Prepare production schedules, drive execution, and adjust as customer requirements change.
• Release purchase orders to approved suppliers based on planning messages.
• Expedite and de-expedite orders of inventory and supplies.
• Collaborate with Purchasing in supplier evaluation and selection.
• Maintain planning parameters (lead-times, RO P, ROQ, MOQ, Kanban, dates).
• Drive actions to improve KPIs such as inventory and lead-time.
• Communicate with internal/external customers (materials, finished goods, services).
• Manage inbound and outbound shipments with suppliers and internal traffic.
• Ensure proper approvals and processing controls.
• Understand demand and capacity impact; initiate actions to support demand.
• Improve material flow via replenishment programs.
• Participate in new product development projects.
• Interface with Quality/Purchasing to develop corrective actions.
• Lead and execute Continual Improvement/Cost Down projects.
• Manage changes related to engineering, process, quality, and suppliers.

Skills

Team player

Problem solving

Interpersonal skills

Self accountability

Professionalism

Cost down / continuous improvement

Microsoft Excel

Education

Associates degree in operations / supply chain / business or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office (Pivot tables, VLOOKUP)

Job description

The Senior Material Planner role is a leader within the operation team. Responsible for inventory management and supplies to support customer requirements, production schedules, and other operational functions. This role would also be responsible for updating and improving upon established processes and procedures for maximum efficiency.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Execution of planning messages (MRP, Virtual Pull, requisitions, etc.) in a timely manner to ensure production and customer requirements are fulfilled.
• Prepare production schedules, drive execution, and adjust as customer requirements change or other factors influence the schedule.
• Release purchase orders to preferred/approved suppliers based upon planning messages.
• Expedite and de-expedite orders of inventory and supplies, by reviewing shortages reports and other messages.
• Collaborate with Purchasing in the evaluation of current approved suppliers and selection of new suppliers.
• Maintain JDE planning parameters (lead-times, ROP, ROQ, MOQ, Kanban systems, and accurate system dates).
• Understand, track, lead and drive actions to improve corporate defined KPI’s which include inventory, customer satisfaction levels, lead-time, etc.
• Foster positive communications with internal/external “customers” for raw materials, finished goods, supplies, and services (Customer Service, Suppliers, Inter-plant, operations, etc.)
• Manage inbound and outbound shipments with suppliers and internal traffic department.
• Assure proper approval, accounting, and processing controls are maintained.
• Comprehension of current and future demand and its impact on capacity both internal and external (initiate actions to support the demand).
• Improve material flow through replenishment programs which result in optimized utilization of resources.
• Participate in new product development projects.
• Interfaces with Quality/Purchasing Category Managers to develop correction actions related to purchased and manufactured components.
• Lead and execute Continual Improvement/Cost Down projects.
• Manage changes related to engineering, process, quality, and/or suppliers.
• All other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES/DIRECT REPORTS

• None.

TRAVEL

• None.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This work takes place in a professional office setting that has a production shop floor attached. Ability to wear PPE when appropriate will be required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associates degree in operation/supply chain/business or equivalent experience required.
• 5+ Years of experience in any planning/manufacturing environment preferred.
• Manufacturing familiarity
• Familiarity and working knowledge of quality systems
• Committed to lifelong education
• Proven track record as a team player
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Sense of self accountability
• High level of professionalism
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (especially pivot tables, vlookups, etc)
• Problem solving and decision making skills
• Ability to work well and cross-train in a team environment
• Ability to identify cost down and continual improvement opportunities
• Understanding of dependencies and the cause/effect of these dependencies
• Ability to lead a team of peers in a project environment
• Ability to develop or negotiate solutions to conflicting and unusual requests
• Ability to motivate others
• Understanding of manufacturing KPIs and opportunities for improvement.

VOLLRATH'S CORE VALUES

Take Ownership:Our intention is to match our actions with ourwords, building trust with others. We are united in takingresponsibility for the success of Vollrath as a whole.

Empower Action:Our intention is to create a workplace where every member can thrive in their growth and contributions withexcitement, confidence, and psychological safety. We support each team member with resources and tools tostrengthen collaboration and performance.

Treat All People With Respect:Our intention is to recognize the diverse experiences, styles, and backgrounds of others, treating everyone with dignity. We aim to foster an inclusive culture where all team members can be their authentic selves and feel safe in voicing their perspectives.

Life Beyond Work:Our intention is to care for the well-being of every individual we engage with, understanding them as a whole person. We strive to keep people mentally and physically safe, sending each person home in a condition to build a fulfilling life beyond work. We encourage balance, allowing our colleagues to pursue their passions.

Commitment to Those Who Count on Us:Our intention is to drive innovation and practical solutions through understanding the needs of our coworkers, customers, owners, and communities. We are dedicated to proactively addressing those needs and delivering results.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.