Sr. Materials Planner

About the role

The Senior Material Planner ensures that production materials are available when needed while maintaining optimal inventory levels. This role supports manufacturing by coordinating demand signals, supplier deliveries, and inventory strategies to prevent shortages, avoid excess stock, control lead times, and meet customer demand.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and update material requirements plan based on demand forecasts and production schedules.
• Utilize Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems to coordinate materials across purchasing, warehousing and production.
• Coordinate with procurement to ensure timely placement and execution of purchase orders.
• Monitor supplier performance, lead times, and delivery schedules.
• Track inventory levels; on-hand, WIP, and in-transit inventory; reconcile discrepancies and drive corrective actions.
• Maintain accurate planning parameters in ERP/MRP systems.
• Analyze material flows and proactively identify potential shortages or excess stock to be evaluated and escalated.
• Generate material status reports, shortage lists, and recovery plans.
• Collaborate and partner with cross-functional teams including operations, customer service, logistics, and program management to ensure smooth material flow.
• Identify and resolve supply constraints through proactive communication and escalation.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives in planning accuracy and inventory management.
• Assess and mitigate risks by bringing solutions to attention.
• Expedite deliveries to meet critical production requirements and maintain continuity of supply.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Logistics, Operations Management, or Supply Chain Management preferred, or a combination of equivalent academic and work experience.
• At least 5+ years of experience in material planning, production control, or supply chain.
• Experience with an ERP/MRP system and material planning logic.
• Strong proficiency in MS Office Suite, Excel, and data analysis tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Flexibility and hands-on approach to tackling challenges.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional coordination skills.
• Understanding of MRP principles, lead time management, safety stock calculation, and reporting tools.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Travel 20% of the time.

Pay

$80,000–$85,000 per year.