Material Planner

Summary/Objective

The Material Planner is responsible for managing and reviewing MRP, placing, and following up on purchase orders for assigned raw materials and traded goods. This role involves supporting strategic buyers and commodity managers in developing category strategies, supplier relationship management, and vendor rating while ensuring alignment with internal stakeholders and overall business objectives. Additionally, the material planner will analyze MRP data, maintain master data based on forecasts and consumption history, and support the business in achieving the optimal balance of quality, inventory levels, and cost for both new and existing operations.

Essential Functions Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Assist Sourcing Manager & Sourcing Team with annual department and company objectives on a local & global basis and support implementation of the same.
2. Follow up and execute purchase orders against established supplier agreements or designated vendors on materials as assigned by Head of Sourcing.
3. Help to manage raw material management and also ensure that PO's are properly allocated to contracts as applicable.
4. Collaborate with BU and Customer Service on traded goods from internal Döhler sites or 3rd party vendors, as well as work with freight forwarders regarding shipment of the goods.
5. Process GRAs (Return Goods Authorizations) to vendors & Manage Q notifications in SAP.

6. Contact vendors concerning purchases and/or information pertinent to operations.
7. Advise production and planning of any changes concerning material availability.
8. Keep abreast of supply conditions and advises Head of Sourcing/Head of Planning of any changes or shortages.
9. Support other internal functions for projects related to inventory management as assigned
10. Identify invoice problems and work to resolution with support from accounting as assigned.
11. Responsible for maintaining accurate master data as applicable to material planning.
12. Subject matter of SAP
     

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

Cost Savings & Inventory Management

• Achieve targeted cost savings through sourcing initiatives.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels (days of stock) to prevent shortages or excess.

Issue Resolution

• Reduce supplier performance issues by conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions.
• Improve resolution time for supplier-related issues via global processes.

Supplier Communication

• Ensure timely and accurate PO placement with assigned suppliers.
• Maintain effective communication with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive master data accuracy and SAP system optimization.
• Implement process improvements based on data-driven insights.

Reporting & Analytics

• Provide accurate and timely reports on master data and raw material inventory.
• Monitor and improve days-on-hand metrics for raw materials.

Risk Management

• Minimize supply chain risks by proactively addressing material and service-related issues.
• Strengthen supplier relationships to ensure business continuity.

Work Environment

This position operates in a professional, on-site office environment the majority of the time. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and fax machines. This position is occasionally exposed to loud, wet, warm, humid and cold temperatures

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear and sit. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position with regular office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours may vary on occasion depending on work load.

Travel

No more than 10%

Required Qualifications

1. Associates degree
2. 2+ years' experience in purchasing & negotiations
3. SAP experience

Preferred Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree

Safety/ Food Safety:

Döhler USA, Inc. is committed to providing a safe and secure work environment for all employees.  It is the duty of all employees to ensure that a safe working environment and safe working practices are maintained at all times.  It is also the responsibility of management to do so.

Employee  should Comply with all policies and procedures, including safety, food safety/security and GMPs. 

Employee should report any unsafe conditions immediately to supervisor or designated party.

AAP/EEO Statement
Döhler USA, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Döhler USA, Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.  Döhler USA, Inc. expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Döhler USA, Inc.’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.