Associate Supply Planner (3-month Contract)

Company Summary:

Elemental Hardware Enrichment is on a mission to empower kids with confidence-boosting, hands-on curriculum that builds competence through project-based learning opportunities. As a vertically integrated manufacturer and program provider, we’re uniquely positioned to uphold excellence across every step of the educational journey — from product design to classroom instruction and programmatic evaluation.

Job Summary:

We're hiring a contract Associate Supply Planner to support purchasing, receiving, and supply planning needs during a period of increased manufacturing demand. This role is expected to last approximately 3 months, with the potential to convert to a full-time position depending on performance and business needs.

This role will work alongside the Manufacturing team to ensure all materials required to produce our products are on-hand in a timely and cost-efficient manner. In this role, you will use the production schedule to inform and prioritize the company's purchase orders, negotiate with suppliers for the best pricing, and track and ensure materials are received within expected lead times.

By building strong relationships with suppliers and our internal team, you will streamline many of the upfront processes required for Manufacturing to successfully produce high-quality products that meet our standards. You will also support the team by creating, maintaining, and improving manufacturing and procurement SOP documentation and sourcing best practices.

This role reports to the Senior Manager, Manufacturing Operations.

What you’ll do:

Supply Planning, Purchasing, and Receiving

• Translate production schedules and forecasts into prioritized purchase orders
• Create, place, and manage purchase orders to ensure uninterrupted production
• Monitor inventory levels and thresholds and recommend reorder points, safety stock, and purchasing frequency
• Track inbound materials and proactively resolve delays, shortages, or discrepancies
• Receive and distribute materials once arrived

Supplier Management & Cost Control

• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors and suppliers
• Source new suppliers as needed to support new products, materials, or capacity needs
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, minimum order quantities, and payment terms
• Identify opportunities to reduce material costs without compromising quality

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Manufacturing, Innovation, and Fulfillment teams to align supply plans with production deadlines
• Support new product development with material sourcing, lead time assessment, and supplier feasibility
• Proactively communicate supply risks, constraints, and recommendations to relevant stakeholders

Process Development & Documentation

• Develop, document, and improve procurement and supply planning SOPs
• Maintain accurate records related to vendors, pricing, lead times, and purchasing history
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts that increase efficiency, reliability, and scalability

Who you are:

• 2 - 3 years of experience in supply planning, purchasing, or procurement
• Experience in manufacturing or production-based work environments preferred
• Familiar with inventory management, ERPs, MRPs, and related manufacturing softwares
• Key competencies in computer skills (Microsoft Office, Google Workplace tools, Airtable, customer insights & analysis, slide-building & story-telling, and general project management workflows & requirements)
• Ability to effectively prioritize tasks and manage time, even under high-pressure situations
• Strong customer service skills – you have a genuine investment and commitment towards helping others and solving problems
• Strong attention to detail – you triple check your work and pride yourself on your ability to zoom in and catch the errors most people let fall through the cracks
• Professional – you’re comfortable interacting and communicating with people at all levels of an organization and demonstrate your professionalism through your reliability, promptness, and work quality
• Positive attitude – people frequently describe you as someone who is growth-minded and brings positive energy to the room

Job Types: Contract, Temporary

Pay: $23.00 - $26.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30.0 per week

Work Location: In person