Materials Planner II

The Materials Planner II is responsible for all requirements of a Material Planner I, which include ensuring the continuity of supply of raw and/or packaging materials to production facilities as Purchasing’s front-line representative to operations. In addition, the Materials Planner II demonstrates expertise in managing multiple facilities, has experience with MRP systems set up and troubleshooting, and actively participates in process improvements, cost saving initiatives, and special projects.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates effective materials management; ability to handle multiple facilities if needed
• Exhibits independent problem solving due to material shortage concerns, prior to manager involvement
• Takes initiative in resolving Corrective Action Requests with suppliers for quick resolution
• Ability to support SAP trainings and Go-Lives on location or remotely if needed
• Shows ongoing initiative towards improve MRP objects and supplier data maintenance
• Operates under the guidelines of the Materials Planner Operating Model
• Communicates with key contacts at a recommended cadence
• Understands KPIs and drives numbers towards targets
• Utilizes and updates the facility playbook and special process documents
• Records timely updates to the Material Planner Supply Report
• Develop and manage replenishment strategies for assigned materials
• Manage supply disruptions driven by unforeseen events, react to changes
• Understand supply constraints and have appropriate contingency plans in place to maintain production
• Optimize the balance between supply availability, production requirements, warehouse capacity, and risk of ingredient expiration
• Ensure availability of material through use of forecasts, lead time replenishment scheduling, and constant collaboration with suppliers and plant operations
• Develop and lead inventory cost reduction initiatives in collaboration with internal and external customers by leveraging SAP and supplier capabilities to align with manufacturing strategy
• Minimize impact of excess inventory by rescheduling POs, transferring to other CHG locations, or working with suppliers and/or QA to evaluate the possibility for extensions
• Identify and execute ideas for areas of improvement, such as material cost savings projects, improved purchasing signals, and warehouse capacity optimization
• Work with Category Managers on supply delays, discrepancies in contract pricing, and consolidation and cost saving projects
• Independently identifies obsolete materials and investigates cause to determine appropriate disposition
• Ensure execution of the materials management aspect of commercialization and change management initiatives, to ensure customer and productivity commitments are met
• Establish and maintain effective communication with both internal and external contacts
• Work cross functionally with Sales, Marketing, Purchasing, R&D, Suppliers, Quality Assurance, Operations, and Finance on commercialization and productivity change management initiatives to ensure on-time materials availability and cost minimizing transitions
• Support the financial responsibilities of the Company relative to Purchasing
• Assist warehousing with receiving and inventory variances  
• Strong understanding of standard costs: relationship to source list, contracts, and info records, blank orders, impact to PPV and validity date implications
• Work with Accounts Payable for timely payment of invoices containing discrepancies from original POs
• Proactively informs cost accountants of POs expected to generate large PPV

Education/Certifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred: Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Supply Chain, Business, or related discipline
• CPSM certification highly encouraged within first two years of employment (employer funded)

Experience:

• 2-5 years’ experience in procurement, supply chain, or materials management preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• SAP knowledge preferred
• Experience with lean manufacturing principals preferred
• Demonstrated ability to learn from mistakes and handle stress
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong analytical, organizational, and computer skills, to include Microsoft Office and Excel
• Drive for results
• Strong influencing skills
• Total supply chain perspective
• Travel ~15% or as required

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

• Work involves light exposure to unusual elements, such as dirt, dust, fumes, extreme temperatures, humidity, darkness, and/or noise. Does it?
• Moderate physical effort required such as standing, sitting, and walking in and around the office; the ability to lift up to 25 pounds; reaching, climbing, and kneeling as needed; utilizing fine dexterity, the ability to see, hear, and communicate with associates as well as others by utilizing professional etiquette.
• Personal protective equipment, as defined by C.H. Guenther and Son, will be provided.

Expectations:

• Will demonstrate, promote and exemplify the Company’s Core Values in People, Quality and Growth.

We are proud to offer competitive compensation and benefit programs that include medical, dental, vision, flexible savings account, health savings account, 401K matching savings plan, employee assistance program, wellness programs, life insurance, AD&D insurance,  disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, student loan counseling, employee referral program, paid time off, and more! 

For additional information about our company, go to www.chg.com.

C.H. Guenther & Son and its subsidiaries are E-Verify participating employers.

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All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of the pre-employment screening process which includes a drug screen and review of criminal background and other records as required.

AA/EEO/Drug-Free Employer