Purchasing and Production Planner

Job Title: Purchasing and Production Planner

Reports To: Materials Manager
Location: Kronenwetter, WI

Business Contribution:

The Purchasing and Production Planner plays a critical role in aligning supply chain operations with customer demand and production schedules. This position is responsible for the timely procurement of materials, optimization of inventory levels, and ensuring on-time product delivery. The Purchasing and Production Planner ensures that raw materials and components are available to support production needs and delivery commitments while driving supplier performance and inventory efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

Inventory Management:

• Maintain optimal inventory levels of raw materials and purchased components to prevent shortages or overstock.
• Purchase of steel and production components.
• Analyze sales forecasts and open customer orders to determine proper stock levels.
• Ensure inventory availability to meet production schedules and customer fill rate targets.

Material Requirements Planning (MRP):

• Review production plans and forecasts to identify material requirements.
• Generate, release, and manage purchase orders to support demand.
• Track order status and follow-through to ensure on-time delivery.
• Confirm and update supplier acknowledgements related to pricing, delivery dates, and quantities.
• Resolve purchase order and receipt discrepancies promptly.
• Identify alternative sources to mitigate risks to supply continuity.
• Communicate supply, quality, or pricing issues to the Sourcing Specialist as needed.

Supplier Management:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure a timely and reliable supply of materials.
• Monitor supplier performance with respect to delivery, quality, and lead times.
• Collaborate with suppliers to develop recovery plans when disruptions occur.
• Maintain accurate supplier data and participate in continuous improvement initiatives.
• Source products and work with Sourcing for new product or new suppliers.
• Perform supplier audits as required.

Cost and Lead Time Optimization:

• Collaborate with Sourcing to identify cost-reduction opportunities and alternate sourcing strategies.
• Minimize excess inventory and waste through proactive planning.
• Manage and optimize lead times for materials and sub-assemblies to support efficient production.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Participate in daily production meetings; communicate material availability, risks, and updates.
• Coordinate closely with Engineering, Production, Sales, Customer Service, and other departments to ensure supply chain alignment.
• Support physical inventory processes and cycle counting efforts.

Other Duties:

• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Materials Manager.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the supply chain function.

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field preferred.
• APICS CPIM Certification (or progress toward certification) strongly preferred.

Qualifications & Skills:

• 3-5 years of experience in purchasing, production planning, or supply chain, ideally in a manufacturing environment. Blueprint reading is required.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (M3 experience preferred).
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make data-driven decisions.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:

• On-site office-based role
• Up to 10% travel (including potential international travel)
• Occasional lifting (up to 30 lbs.) for materials or meeting preparation.
• Prolonged periods working at a computer workstation.
• Ability to work extended hours on short notice as business needs require.
• Clear communication skills via phone, email, and in-person across multiple organizational levels.