Materials Planner

The Material Planner I is an active team member in planning and scheduling the delivery of material from suppliers to each of our global warehouses. This highly tactical position is responsible for monitoring the flow of buy and assembly items, guarantee availability of components in order to avoid material shortages and assist with the management of inventory levels to meet our customer service and inventory targets.

Essential Functions / Major Responsibilities

• Perform timely, cost-conscious procurement of production/inventory/MRO items.
• Receive and analyze requisitions to determine quantity, specifications and delivery requirements.
• Assist with analysis when actuals deviate from established plan, including root cause and respective action(s) to correct and/or sustain.
• Provide supply forecasts to suppliers and internal customers.
• Ensure optimal inventory and safety stock levels are maintained for assigned items.
• Maintain proactive shortage identification and management - help flag root causes and corrective actions.
• Expedite deliveries to meet and exceed scheduled critical requirements.
• Maintain material plan at the time fence to ensure continuity of supply.
• Coordinate cross-functionally for solutions when parts cannot be delivered as promised.
• Analyze material and capacity availability to provide customer promise dates for sales orders.
• Maintains item master lead time information, total current demand by product family and priorities for assigned items.
• Interface with required functional groups to resolve challenging delivery requirements.
• Communicate forecasts and replenishment plans to organizational buyers.
• Consistently review open requirements, monitor vendor performance, and escalate when necessary.
• Communicate problems relating to delivery, quality or to stakeholders and resolve in a timely manner.
• Ensure up-to-date ABC classification is maintained for planning, and other key inputs into ERP.

Specific Job Requirements

• Maintain product knowledge in terms of options, substitutions, critical functions/components, etc.
• Broad working knowledge and experience with ISO procedures.
• Maintain basic knowledge of supplier processes and capabilities.
• Possess strong customer service orientation and must provide dedicated support of internal and external customer requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate to various audiences effectively.
• Team-oriented and have the ability to work cohesively with others.
• Strong attention to detail.

Education and Experience Requirements

• 1-2 years of buying/planning experience
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• APICS (CPIM) or equivalent certification a plus
• Oracle or relevant ERP software experience preferred
• Basic knowledge of supplier processes and capabilities
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications required
• Experience in operations, inventory management, MRP and lean manufacturing processes preferred
• Understanding of Kanban and Min/Max systems preferred

Job Specific Competencies

• Negotiation Skills - Conducts positive negotiations, ability to compromise, handles conflict, seeks common ground, articulates own and others goals, stays focused on positive outcome.
• Sense of Urgency - Prioritizes well, shows energy, reacts to opportunities, instills urgency in others, meets deadlines.
• Problem Solving/Analysis - Breaks down problems into smaller components, understands underlying issues, can simplify and process complex issues, understands the difference between critical details and unimportant facts.
• Planning - Develops realistic plans, sets goals, aligns plans with company goals, plans for and manages resources, creates contingency plans, coordinates/cooperates with others.
• Quality - Is attentive to detail and accuracy, is committed to excellence, looks for improvements continuously, monitors quality levels, finds root cause of quality problems, owns/acts on quality problems.

Working Conditions

The physical and environmental demands 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. Work may require:

• Bending, stooping, reaching, twisting, lifting, pushing, pulling and moving items - The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Requires the ability to move around and maneuver products when necessary. Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 15 pounds
• Walking and Standing - Requires moving around
• Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range
• Requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours

Work Environment

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions: work performed in an office environment. Involves frequent interaction with internal and external customers.

Position Status

Level: Staff

FLSA: Exempt

Supervises: N/A

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the employee might differ from those outlined in the above job description and, other duties as assigned, might be part of the role. It does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned nor is it considered a contract of employment overriding at-will employment.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

Core Health& Fitness is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, creed, disabled veteran status, marital status, or Vietnam-era veteran status. If you are a person with a disability and you need assistance in applying for a position with Core Health & Fitness, please contact our Human Resources department at hr@corehandf.com and direct assistance will be provided.