Planner, Materials

Position Summary : The Materials Planner assists the Materials Team with distribution, inventory control, materials management (i.e., internal material flow, materials planning, and WIP inventory management), production control and scheduling, and / or warehouse / storage functions to ensure that sufficient quantities of direct and indirect materials are available for manufacturing operations and meet the materials control activities of the company. This role will support the areas of forecasting and releasing direct materials including the preparation of the master production schedule to maximize production efficiency and fulfill product shipment commitments while minimizing manufacturing costs.

Description of Essential Job Functions :

Production Control and Scheduling

Assist with preparation and distribution of the master production schedule to provide for the most efficient use of employee skills and knowledge and manufacturing equipment while fulfilling product specifications and shipping commitments.

Monitor manufacturing and material schedules, purchase order releases, and quote manufacturing lead-times and availability to fulfill production requirements and shipping commitments.

Support ongoing administration of the MPS and Material Requirement Planning (MRP) to maximize production efficiency and fulfill product shipment commitments while minimizing manufacturing costs.

Manage / track incoming orders, production rates, backlog, and expedite requests.

Collaborate with manufacturing personnel on production operations to ensure issuing of balanced production schedules while meeting timely product shipments.

Assist with providing direction to employees who manufacture parts relating to production orders.

Work with production and customer service to set product lead times and production levels for all parts, and maintain customer stock and capacity reserves to support on-time deliveries. Verify capacity when there are changes to customer demands or new parts being quoted.

Suggest improvements or alternate methods to reduce manufacturing costs, improve product quality, or improve production efficiency.

Participate in lean initiatives including 5S, Kaizens, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), etc.

Materials Management

Forecast material usage, and other commodities in general as needed.

Provide detailed material forecasts to suppliers / vendors with required due dates.

Review material status on a continuous basis and work with the Materials Team to ensure timely material releases and deliveries to eliminate production delays.

Improve material flow within the manufacturing facility. Assist in developing a streamlined logistics process for material handling to minimize cost and optimize resource utilization.

Coordinate supplier releases for all component suppliers to meet manufacturing schedules and customer demands.

Purchase raw material / components to not exceed inventory targets.

Conduct "Spot-buys" when supplier cannot meet requirements.

Reconcile Raw Material Inventory to Theoretical Inventory (cycle counts required to uncover root cause for adjustments).

Reconcile Raw Material Inventory to QA Hold Inventory and return material.

Evaluate raw material / component availability per the Master Schedule.

Collaborate with Purchasing to provide PPAP parts and engineering support.

Provide guidance and assistance to plant Shipping Department as required.

Assist with maintenance of product configurators as directed by the Materials Manager or Plant Manager.

Assist with coordinating the receipt, accurate recording, and routing of purchased parts, materials, and equipment.

Inventory Control

Support maintaining inventory levels of purchased components consistent with budgets and business plans.

Work closely with Purchasing to help develop and implement processes that improve inventory processes that include major reductions in inventory while improving internal / external delivery performance.

Adjust inventory levels as required by customer demand while maintaining adequate material safety stock.

Maintain a DOH inventory of raw, WIP, and Finished Goods.

Participate in cycle counts and maintain and ensure inventory accuracy and fill rates for all components.

Maintain the FIFO system for all components.

Coordinate and perform part audits or cycle counts between inventories.

Consult with managers, supervisors, and shop floor personnel regarding inventory issues such as losses, damage, and errors.

Develop and analyze reports to verify the accuracy and completeness of receiving and distribution information to properly track the use of inventories.

Supervisory Responsibilities :

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualification Requirements : To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience :

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or relevant field. Emphasis on materials control, production control, or supply chain management is preferred.

3-5 years of experience in inventory control, material control, production control, production scheduling, and / or purchasing, preferably within a manufacturing environment.

Experience in operations, inventory management, MRP and lean manufacturing processes, and with visual management systems is preferred.

Experience using an integrated ERP solution in a manufacturing environment.

Experience working with cross-functional teams.

Computer Skills

Ability to use a personal computer utilizing spreadsheet and word processing software applications, databases, automated systems, and MPS and MRP related software to accomplish work.

Advanced / Intermediate skill level with Microsoft Office Suite; Word, Excel, Project, and PowerPoint preferred.

Previous experience working with integrated computer programs and / or applications.

Strong, demonstrated experience managing ERP data and / or processes. Experience with JD Edwards a plus.

Certificates, Certifications, Licenses, Registrations :

APICS (e.g., CPIM, CPSM) or other manufacturing / operations certification a plus.

Other Skills, Abilities, or Competencies :

Strong attention to detail.

Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations.

Open to change and strives for continuous improvement.

Stays abreast of approved material substitutes and sources.

Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Ability to perform responsibilities with minimal supervision.

Familiar with root cause analysis and problem-solving methods.

Good judgment with the ability to make timely and sound decisions.

Ability to interface with all functions and at all levels within the organization.

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of changing situations.

Ability to function both independently and with good judgment in a team environment.

Ability to maintain specified records, logs, and files and compile data to generate reports.

Working knowledge and general understanding of JIT concepts including inventory pull systems.

Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities and processes.

Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors and others.

Excellent analytical and planning skills, particularly in forecasting and anticipating production part and material needs.

Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, work efficiently within time constraints and deadlines, and handle stressful situations.

Ability to retain knowledge of suppliers, prices, and lead times for various materials used in manufacturing processes.

Strong written and oral communication skills to communicate with managers, fellow employees, customers, and suppliers / vendors.

General understanding and working knowledge of manufacturing, assembly, and welding equipment and tooling including design, gauges, equipment design, automation, robotics, or manufacturing processes.

Working knowledge of material types specifications and characteristics used in dock levelers, dock seals & shelters, impactable dock doors, high speed and high-performance doors, and other entrance automation products and warehouse solutions.

Other Qualifications, Experience, or Requirements :

Requires the ability to use a variety of office / production related equipment such as a calculator, telephone, photocopier, computer printer, and precision measuring instrument.

Requires a valid motor vehicle operator’s license and the ability to operate a motor vehicle while carefully observing all traffic rules and regulations.

Work beyond the traditional 40 hours per week may be required as workload or projects dictate, including weekends and holidays.

We are the ASSA ABLOY Group

Our people have made us the global leader in access solutions. In return, we open doors for them wherever they go. With nearly 63,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries, we help billions of people experience a more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces – physical and virtual – safer, more secure, and easier to access.

As an employer, we value results – not titles, or backgrounds. We empower our people to build their career around their aspirations and our ambitions – supporting them with regular feedback, training, and development opportunities. Our colleagues think broadly about where they can make the most impact, and we encourage them to grow their role locally, regionally, or even internationally.

As we welcome new people on board, it’s important to us to have diverse, inclusive teams, and we value different perspectives and experiences.