Materials Planning Analyst

About the role

At Great Dane, we rely on makers and we’re calling on them to join our expanding team. This role will act as the on-site liaison for the corporate buyers, keeping them informed on inventory needs, supplier performance, and collaborating on inventory strategy. You will collaborate closely with corporate purchasing and local operations teams to ensure the accurate and timely availability of raw materials and components required for scheduled production runs. The ideal candidate will have proficiency in material or production planning, excellent communication skills, proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word, and experience using planning modules in one of the major ERP systems (JDE preferred). This position requires a self-directed individual with a strong initiative to improve processes and ensure production schedules are adhered to.

Responsibilities

• Regularly report out clear-to-build status for assigned materials and components. Highlight risks or shortages and collaborate with corporate buyers to mitigate risks.
• Develop and implement plant-level strategies to optimize inventory turnover rates and reduce excess and obsolete inventory. Share best practices with peers within the facility and other manufacturing locations.
• Analyze purchasing and consumption trends and work with corporate buyers to establish safety stock levels, minimum order quantities, and recurring orders.
• Monitor open work orders and ensure they are dispositioned in a timely manner to not negatively affect inventory.
• Assist corporate buyers and the accounts payable department with invoice reconciliation efforts.
• Work with corporate logistics to schedule material delivery prior to line start.
• Perform audits on assigned materials/components to verify locations and quantities are accurate.
• Assist in determining whether excess inventory is subject to redistribution, substitution, or disposal.
• Issue requests for deviation or substitutions and implement approvals; advise stakeholders of status.
• Assist with the processing of defective material, returns, scrap, and miscellaneous inventory adjustments.
• Work closely with production personnel and other departments regarding potential material issues such as delays, substitutions, vendor problems, and shortages.
• Collaborate with other Supply Chain staff to ensure effective use of inventory, ensuring materials are received at the right time, right material, and right quantity for line consumption.
• Own inventory accuracy for all assigned materials and components; schedule regular cycle counts and reconcile to ensure accuracy for assigned parts and notify management of discrepancies.
• Attend weekly safety meetings and communicate relevant topics to individual team members.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with concentration in Supply Chain or other related field, or work experience in a similar role and APICS, CPIM, and/or equivalent certification required.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in the field.
• Inventory control experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Ability to effectively communicate via email with internal and external customers.
• Self-directed individual with the initiative to improve processes.
• Ability to instruct, lead, and communicate with individuals and teams.
• Minimal travel required.

Physical/Mental Requirements

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

• Physical demands: While performing duties of the job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close and distance vision.
• Work environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal to moderate.

About Great Dane

With a history dating back to 1900, Great Dane has established itself as a transportation solutions leader—delivering innovative products and exceptional services that help our customers and employees succeed. We not only engineer durable and high-quality trailers and truck bodies; we foster relationships that last a lifetime.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Benefits, including dental, vision, and medical with employer contributions.
• Retirement programs, including a Pension Plan and 401(k) Plan with employer match.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Paid holidays and vacation.