Strategic Production Planner (Materials & Supply Chain)

KPIT; Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

KPIT in Fargo, ND is seeking a Production Planning Specialist to optimize material flow and supplier coordination for manufacturing operations. You will implement MRP processes, manage supplier performance, and collaborate with Manufacturing, Procurement, Logistics, and Quality teams to ensure on-time delivery.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor's in a related field, 3+ years in production or supply chain, and strong Excel skills with data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.
• 3+ years in Production Planning, Materials Planning, Supply Chain, Procurement, or Manufacturing Operations.
• Experience in manufacturing environments, preferably Automotive/Industrial sectors.
• Strong knowledge of MRP and ERP systems (SAP/Oracle/JD Edwards).
• Proven experience managing supplier relationships and performance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with data-driven decisions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including Pivot Tables and reporting.
• Knowledge of inventory management, scheduling, and demand planning.

Responsibilities

• Receive, analyze, and communicate material requirements to suppliers to ensure timely delivery of purchased parts.
• Monitor supplier delivery performance and resolve shortages and late deliveries.
• Coordinate with suppliers to identify delivery risks and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain regular communication with Manufacturing regarding shortages, delays, and quality concerns.
• Develop contingency plans for supply chain disruptions to support uninterrupted production schedules.
• Monitor supplier lead times and elevate concerns when lead times exceed thresholds.
• Support new product introductions by coordinating supplier readiness and material availability.
• Analyze supplier performance trends and recommend actions to improve delivery and quality.
• Maintain supplier scorecards and quality metrics (OTD, lead-time adherence).
• Collaborate with Procurement, Logistics, Quality, and Production to ensure material availability and schedule attainment.
• Investigate root causes of recurring supplier issues and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

MRP & ERP systems

Supplier relationship management

Analytical thinking

Excel (Pivot Tables)

Inventory planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decision making

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Tools

SAP

Oracle

JD Edwards

Job description

KPIT in Fargo, ND is seeking a Production Planning Specialist to optimize material flow and supplier coordination for manufacturing operations. You will implement MRP processes, manage supplier performance, and collaborate with Manufacturing, Procurement, Logistics, and Quality teams to ensure on-time delivery.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor's in a related field, 3+ years in production or supply chain, and strong Excel skills with data-driven decision making.