Production Planning Specialist

Summary

Incumbents apply in-depth knowledge in a specific area of specialization. Work is performed within established professional standards and practices. Works on problems of moderate scope where analysis of situations or data requires a review of identifiable factors and a considerable degree of judgement. Erroneous decisions or failure to achieve results may have a negative impact on the divisions/departments operations, schedules, and/or performance goals. Works under minimum Supervision. Seeks approval from others on matters outside of job/role scope. Receives instruction on specific assignment objectives and possible solutions. Unusual problems are solved jointly with manager. Work is reviewed for application of sound technical judgment. May lead a work group or project team consisting of technical and support staff. Builds internal and external relationships, with emphasis on those that facilitate the achievement of job/role accountabilities, such as relationships with key suppliers, customers and internal service.

Detailed Description

Performs tasks such as, but not limited to, the following:

• Plans for and procures materials necessary to meet manufacturing build requirements for one or several product lines.
• Plans and schedules timely material required for customer forecasts.
• Determines material requirements from engineering and production schedules and coordinate the efficient movement of materials throughout the production cycle.
• Reviews requisitions, contacts vendors, examines bids and initiates contracts.
• Initiates purchases driven through MRP process.
• Assesses when to execute and what order to place based on other factors.
• Pushes or cancels orders per production plans.
• Reviews forecasted requirements and purchases materials in accordance with that forecast.
• Ensures materials are available to meet manufacturing build requirements.
• Matches material infeed and inventory turnover so as not to hold too high a percentage of inventory at any time.
• Qualifies new supplies through survey and site visits.
• Helps establish new supplier accounts with finance department. Investigates and resolves issues with invoices or suppliers.
• Works with internal customers to address, return and receive credit for defective materials.
• Acts as a customer liaison with new product introduction. Introduces the new product through manufacturing to shipping per customer requirements.
• Attends weekly change meetings with the customer.
• Reviews and submits new costs associated with the change or the introduction of new requirements.
• Determines cut in of new design changes.
• Interfaces with customers' engineering staff.
• Works with inventory control at end of product life.
• Writes procedures and documentation and trains and mentors new and less experienced purchasing employees.

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies

• Extensive knowledge of procurement processes, inventory management and supplier management;
• Knowledge of an electronic manufacturing environment, the types of materials being purchased by the department and the engineering change process;
• Strong technical proficiency, including advanced ERP knowledge (SAP preferred) and the ability to quickly master new departmental software;
• Good negotiation and problem resolution skills;
• Ability to plan strategically for the coordinated delivery of a variety of materials;
• Ability to handle multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy and working under tight time deadlines;
• Ability to evaluate, prioritize and problem solve a variety of tasks to ensure their timely and accurate completion;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with a wide variety of internal and external customers;

Physical Demands

• Duties of this position are performed in a normal office environment.
• Duties may require extended periods of sitting and sustained visual concentration on a computer monitor or on numbers and other detailed data.
• Repetitive manual movements (e.g., data entry, using a computer mouse, using a calculator, etc.) are frequently required.

Typical Experience

• 4 to 6 years of relevant experience

Typical Education

• Bachelor's degree in related field, or consideration of an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Educational requirements may vary by geography.

Notes

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Job duties and the % of time identified for any function are subject to change at any time.