Sr. Material Planner

Position Summary

Responsible for ensuring material is available for production in order to meet customer demand. Adjusts amount for existing inventory and for orders of conventional sizes.  Performs demand forecasting and performs calculations and ERP system transactions. 

Position Description

Position Responsibilities:
•    Ensure a safe work environment and compliance with all EHS policies and procedures are sustained.
•    Ensure conformance to IATF 16949 quality management standards is sustained.  Maintain respective procedures and documentation.  Identify and suggest changes to procedures as appropriate.  
•    Ensure the steady flow of materials necessary for operating the manufacturing operation and make sure there’s adequate supply without over-ordering or wasting    resources.
•    Create and maintain material master data in SAP, permanently reviews all set parameters related to safety stocks, rounding values and minimum lot sizes.
•    Check and control stock requirements and initiate necessary steps to meet customer demands.
•    Ensure 100% material availability and special priority setting on fast moving parts.
•    When applicable, create and calculate logistical forecast planning with the target to have the right inventories at the right time, in the right quantity, in the right quality available and ensure a smooth material capacity planning at supplier.
•    Manage accurate schedule line deliveries to suppliers.
•    Contact supplier to verify shipment details.
•    Examine shipping documents and create ASNs (Advanced Shipping Notices) for shipments.
•    Approve supplier freight invoices as needed for finance.
•    Coordinate premium freight when applicable at lowest cost and optimal service.
•    Submit cost of poor logistics against suppliers who interrupt the standard flow of materials.
•    Serve as supplier primary contact in case of schedule line deviation.
•    Utilize escalation process in case of critical vendor backlogs in cooperation with Sourcing and Purchasing Department.
•    Respond to customer service order manager about order status, changes or cancellations in case of customer backlogs.
•    Suppliers fill rate tracking and analysis, implementation of supplier coaching in case of fill rate deviations (conference calls, meetings), reporting to team leader on weekly or monthly basis.
•    Inventory controlling and permanently review under consideration of material costs, storage costs and future demand, define activities to minimize overstock.
•    Handles change notices for direct material and coordinates their implementation with other departments and teams.
•    Support project teams and take over smaller stand-alone projects.
•    Other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills and Experience

•    Bachelor’s degree.
•    1+ years’ related experience.
•    Knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within supply chain planning.
•    Experience with demand forecasting and/or planning methods.
•    ERP system knowledge.
•    Proven interpersonal and communication skills.
•    Dynamic, driven, and energetic team player who works well under pressure with tight deadlines.
•    Strong organizational and time management skills.
•    Problem solving skills.
•    Proficient knowledge in Microsoft Office.
•    English language competency.

Preferred Skills and experience:

•    SAP experience.
•    Experience working in a manufacturing site.
•    Experience within the automotive industry
•    Experience working in matrix organization.