Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Material Planner
A Material Planner is a professional responsible for managing the inventory and supply of raw materials, components, and finished goods for a manufacturing or production facility. They plan, order and manage inventory and materials and ensure that the necessary materials and supplies are available to support production schedules. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Material Planners.
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Main Responsibilities of Material Planner
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Material Planner:
Adhere to
Adhere to all company guidelines for Emergency Evacuation to ensure employee safety.
Adjust
Adjust purchase orders as needed.
Aid in
Aid in the development and preparation of demand forecasts at multiple levels for multiple customers.
Aid in creation and maintenance of department metrics, KPI's, and related analytical tools.
Analyze
Analyze all incoming international shipments and communicate root cause for delay.
Analyze and adjust the Materials Requirements Plan to firm orders with suppliers.
Analyze and control output and KPIs.
Analyze and evaluate the entire delivery chain.
Analyze and manage inventory levels and forecast data to meet profit and inventory targets and goals.
Analyze and optimize medium to long term planning results.
Analyze and plan material requirements.
Analyze and visualize actual, planned, and forecasted sales by customer, part number, etc..
Analyze MRP & RPS weekly or daily to produce supplier releases for repetitive production material.
Analyze, understand and communicate Customer needs.
Assess
Assess volume requirements against planning assumptions.
Assist in
Assist in all inventory activities.
Assist in planning and monitor of company inventory level and inventory accuracy.
Assist in the timely resolution of safety and quality issues raised by customers or staff.
Assist with system implementations to improve forecasting and demand requirements planning.
Balance
Balance customer satisfaction with fiscal constraints.
Balance inventory among all organizations.
Balance the production workload and evaluate the impact on resources.
Check
Check the availability of raw materials & components and issue requisitions.
Communicate
Communicate and follow up directly with applicable parties on project requirements and reporting.
Communicate with internal teams to proactively identify component needs or initiatives.
Communicate with logistic / freight companies for delivery of customer unit.
Complete
Complete all other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Conduct
Conduct daily integration using internal and external interfaces.
Conduct daily invoicing of production components.
Conduct missing parts management.
Confirm
Confirm purchase order with invoice making sure quantity and price is correct.
Confirm the production plans with the co-packers and once 'locked', upload plans into the ERP system.
Contribute
Contribute to the continuous improvement of the company and be recognized for your impact.
Control
Control further processing and delivery of nonconforming product until the deficiency is corrected.
Coordinate
Coordinate all incoming logistics planning with suppliers.
Coordinate and carry out monthly raw materials inventory.
Coordinate outbound dispatches in a timely manner.
Coordinate receiving schedules to ensure a smooth flow of incoming products.
Coordinate the efficient movement of materials with vendors, purchasing, production and engineering.
Coordinate the manufacture of new products at approved suppliers.
Coordinate the purchasing of production materials.
Coordinate with production planners for solutions when parts cannot be delivered as promised.
Coordinate with Quality Assurance to resolve quality issues with suppliers.
Create
Create and determine the processing schedules for all equipment and pulls.
Create and issue forecasts to suppliers.
Create and maintain inventory strategies on existing items, new products and product phase in / out.
Create and manage work orders in preparation for manufacturing's release.
Create and re-schedule orders for material to support stocking policies.
Create and verifies customer ship schedules.
Create / maintain Ship list that goes to shipping department.
Create purchase orders and resolves invoice issues.
Create regular statistical reports and analysis and update others in the organization.
Create repair service orders and coordinate repair / overhaul's through the repair station.
Create, review, and / or approve appropriate documents outlined in business processes.
Create solutions and implement across cross-functional teams.
Create strong relationships with suppliers, operations, procurement, quality and other stakeholders.
Create weekly production plans according to the process / timing for each co-packers.
Cross
Cross functional exposure to other areas of within the organization.
Define
Define and determine MRP strategies and parameters.
Define and help enforce system best practices.
Determine
Determine material quantities to order and date(s) required.
Determine material requirements from engineering and build schedules.
Develop
Develop and implement processes to minimize excess and obsolete inventory.
Develop and maintain VMI program to optimize raw material inventory in each converting facility.
Develop cross-functional effectiveness.
Develop positive relationships with internal stakeholders.
Direct
Direct and control the movement of materials in and out of the plant.
Discuss
Discuss with operators potential issues with cutting or the schedules to gain efficiencies.
Document
Document all activities as required.
Document and resolve supplier quality and performance problems.
Drive
Drive and improve Inventory strategy.
Drive maximum utilization of the ERP system for all MRP functions and inventory control.
Drive process improvements for the entire Material Planning team.
Drive process improvements for the Material Planning team, not just new product planning.
Ensure
Ensure adequate and timely supply of Clinical Trial (CT) Material to support CT execution.
Ensure all packing slips are received into CMS following delivery.
Ensure current MSDS for items purchased are on file at all times.
Ensure daily production requirements are achieved to meet the Master Production Schedule (MPS).
Ensure data in the ERP system is timely and accurate.
Ensure designated storage location using FIFO principles for all material.
Ensure implementation of global sourcing decisions at PT manufacturing sites.
Ensure optimal inventory levels and safety stock are maintained for their parts.
Ensure raw materials / supply inventory levels are maintained within stated parameters.
Ensure suppliers EDI compliance.
Ensure that materials being brought in are in compliance with company standards.
Ensure that NAFTA requirements for both the supply base and for our customer base are maintained.
Ensure that raw material PO Issuance aligns with GTM calendar and launch dates.
Ensure that raw materials and product are dispersed and consumed based on FIFO.
Ensure that suppliers use the dock booking system and adhere to booking slots.
Ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information that is entered in the ERP system.
Ensure the accuracy of info records, source lists, and purchase orders.
Ensure timely completion of NAFTA requests.
Evaluate
Evaluate material requirements based on system generated MRP and requisition materials accordingly.
Examine
Examine, stock and distribute materials in inventory and on engineering lines.
Execute
Execute material requirements planning for multiple manufacturing sites and multiple products.
Execute / monitor MRP calculations and messages.
Execute Transactional / Requisition to Pay Procurement.
Expedite
Expedite operations that delay schedules and alters schedules to meet unforeseen conditions.
Expedite supplier delivery commitments to support production requirements.
Facilitate
Facilitate and manage demand planning discussions.
Follow
Follow EHS rules and procedures for your department.
Forecast
Forecast raw material usage based on production schedule.
Generate
Generate and enter purchase orders working closely with scheduling and suppliers on timely delivery.
Help
Help define appropriate inventory levels to support the needs of production and to ensure execution.
Help evaluate production line efficiencies and methods.
Help to identify and disposition of excess or obsolete inventory while minimizing cost.
Identify
Identify and act on improvement opportunities in day to day operations.
Identify and maintain global key material item listing.
Identify and manage obsolete inventory.
Identify and record any problems relating to the product, process or system.
Identify and respond to input spikes or ongoing demand increases / decreases.
Identify and take mitigation actions for disposition of excess and obsolete materials.
Identify any suppliers deviating from over / under shipment expectation.
Identify BOM discrepancies and work with internal teams to correct.
Identify systemic causes for poor delivery performance and development supplier improvement plans.
Identify, update and implement process improvements and communicate to other sites.
Implement
Implement and maintain systemic setup of all materials and part numbers from initial project.
Implement regular reconciliation rounds using internal and external interfaces.
Implement the MRP controlling.
Initiate
Initiate, recommend or provide solutions through the appropriate channels and verify implementation.
Input
Input manual Customer orders into QAD.
Interface
Interface with Procurement, Supply Chain Planning, Suppliers, R&D, Logistics.
Interface with Purchasing, Supply Planning, and Vendors.
Interpret
Interpret data to make the right purchasing or planning decisions.
Investigate
Investigate and resolve discrepancies with demand, supply and inventory.
Issue
Issue weekly releases to suppliers based on MRP from CMS via EDI.
Keep
Keep up to date with system changes and training requirements related to job duties.
Lead
Lead and / or participate in process improvement projects.
Lead planning process improvement projects.
Liaise with
Liaise with carriers for inbound shipments.
Liaise with customs brokers.
Liaise with stakeholders and suppliers to achieve successful innovations.
Maintain
Maintain accurate data for purchasing, bill of material, and inventory management.
Maintain and update data as required in the ERP system.
Maintain and utilize inventory models.
Maintain appropriate inventory levels in accordance with department goals and objectives.
Maintain backlog information system.
Maintain Bills of Material, material master data, factory invoices and internal KPI's.
Maintain customer and supplier contact lists.
Maintain Customer shipping standards.
Maintain data integrity of the Material Resource Planning (MRP) parameters.
Maintain filing for Customer Orders.
Maintain information flows.
Maintain inventory levels of materials in plant areas for efficient storage and handling.
Maintain master list of all Category A&B suppliers.
Maintain material master data to an acceptable level of accuracy in conjunction with central teams.
Maintain material plan at the time fence to ensure continuity of supply.
Maintain minimum inventory levels and monitor for accuracy regularly with cycle counts.
Maintain on-going communications and participates in cross-functional team meetings as necessary.
Maintain optimum material stocks levels, with regular reviews against monthly stock value targets.
Maintain product knowledge in terms of options, substitutions, critical functions / components, etc..
Maintain SAP attributes as required.
Manage
Manage and optimize entire planning process.
Manage and plan the work of internal suppliers.
Manage flow of incoming orders and scheduling orders.
Manage hold area and supplier returns.
Manage in-bound freight expense.
Manage inventory in the reasonable level for balancing demands and warehouse costs.
Manage inventory introduction and phase outs, minimizing cost of materials transition.
Manage material master and bill of material structures in ERP application.
Manage material phase outs, minimizing material obsolescence waste.
Manage necessary expedites, in shortage situations, to ensure no plant disruptions.
Manage procurement and daily delivery times of all raw materials in the facility.
Manage Purchase Order book.
Manage replenishment plan to meet corporate objectives.
Manage reverse logistics flow of defective material by returning to supplier or scrapping.
Manage the integration of new products to the core planning team.
Manage the Material Resource Planning (MRP) preparation and follow up of mailbox errors.
Manage the retirement of purchased finished goods, reducing excess and scrap material.
Manage the retirement of unique components reducing excess and scrap material.
Manage transition of open POs due to Engineering Change Orders.
Manage vendor execution to ensure high availability of components.
Manage work orders to closure through finance and reconciliation of variances.
Meet
Meet with suppliers to ensure highest quality product deliveries within established lead times.
Minimize
Minimize obsolete stock and ensure business is left with minimum liability.
Minimize transportation costs for outgoing shipments, incoming material, WIP and supplies.
Monitor
Monitor and communicate any issues with material delivery that may affect schedule.
Monitor and control inventory levels against agreed target levels.
Monitor and correct all advanced shipping notice transmissions.
Monitor and Maintain inventory levels.
Monitor and track material pipelines for simultaneous production trial and null-phase builds.
Monitor and track pre-production materials to ensure full build coverage for all trial builds.
Monitor Customer EDI Schedules, bulletins and returnable packaging.
Monitor inventory levels for compliance to established limits.
Monitor performance relative to contractual obligations with co-packers.
Monitor raw and package inventory to achieve continuous improvement in inventory optimization.
Monitor raw material, work-in-process and finished goods inventory.
Monitor receipt of material.
Monitor supplier delivery commitments.
Motivate
Motivate, energize, and foster team activities and relationships.
Negotiate
Negotiate and maintain a 12-month rolling capacity plan for each assigned vendor partner.
Negotiate specifications, price, service, delivery, quality performance and other pertinent factors.
Optimise
Optimise the requirement for express transport of incoming material.
Order
Order raw materials and ensure ontime delivery of materials in order to meet production schedules.
Oversee
Oversee vendors and forecasting.
Participate in
Participate in suppler business performance reviews.
Participate in Supplier, Production and Project meetings.
Participate in the specification of material lot sizes and material packaging.
Perform
Perform annual supplier review with major plant suppliers.
Perform critical inventory tasks to ensure the correct amount of materials are in stock.
Perform hardware receiving, inspection, put away and cycle counting to maintain inventory accuracy.
Perform inventory projections / forecast distribution to suppliers.
Perform timely, cost-conscious procurement of production / inventory / MRO items.
Perform weekly measure reports as assigned by department roles and responsibilities.
Place
Place purchase orders to various vendors as defined in the inventory portfolio.
Plan
Plan, develop, implement and evaluate processes for material delivery from supplier to point of use.
Plan, order and manage inventory and materials.
Plan, prepare and manage annual inventory counts.
Prepare
Prepare and maintain relevant reports pertaining to the demand planning process.
Prepare and validate documentation at different workstations.
Prepare, review, and send weekly supplier releases.
Prepare weekly expiration reports for QA for further disposition.
Process
Process customer demand by placing, scheduling, and managing orders with suppliers.
Process daily and weekly results.
Provide
Provide analyses to the Forecast Analyst to adjust the forecast.
Provide delivery commitments supported by materials lead time and capacity analysis.
Provide direction to other employees to ensure accurate production reporting.
Provide evaluation feedback on vendor performance in the areas of continuity of supply and service.
Provide incoming materials report to Receiving so they can prepare for receipt.
Provide information to customer order, product availability and lead time.
Provide Japanese to English translation services, in writing and verbally, as required.
Provide new supplier training on relevant topics throughout pre-production phase.
Provide project administrative support where required.
Provide quality service by following organization standards.
Provide, request and analyze root-cause.
Purchase
Purchase, review and monitor Purchase orders.
Release
Release orders to suppliers.
Remain
Remain on task for long intervals of time.
Report
Report Daily on inventory discrepancies.
Report EHS incidents and / or unsafe acts and conditions promptly to supervision.
Report monthly Supplier Performance and summarize for QOS reporting.
Request
Request and report cause and corrective action reports to prevent reoccurrence.
Reschedule
Reschedule material and inventory as needed in order to meet production plans and needs.
Resolve
Resolve errors on purchase orders as needed by collaborating with Vendors and Receiving.
Resolve invoicing discrepancies with suppliers and accounting.
Resolve incorrect MRP messages with Production Planning and Product Lifecycle Management teams.
Resolve supplier invoice discrepancies (price or quantity).
Review
Review and adjust material plan regularly to reflect changes in system parameters.
Review and ensure the robust CM material management system and processes are in place.
Review and update procedures to ensure accuracy to meet business requirements.
Review daily production schedule and maintain adequate levels of stock to meet daily production.
Review inbound delivery plans in light of quality issues, ensuring minimal impact on the factory.
Review internal database for daily plant impact.
Review metrics pertaining to service level, inventory, and cost.
Review packaging materials for advance booking of orders to maintain stability of supply.
Review reports for stock outs and expedite open orders to fulfill scheduling / production.
Review schedules and provide updates in production meetings.
Schedule
Schedule and control the supply of materials / components to optimize service level and inventory.
Schedule material deliveries in accordance with published receiving calendar.
Schedule work orders based on plant / line capacity to maximize the plant / line labor absorption.
Serve
Serve as point of contact for production and material related concerns and communications.
Set up
Set up and maintain accurate Item Master attributes for Satellite.
Support
Support and facilitate fiscal month end activities to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.
Support daily operative planning.
Support Finance as part of the bill of material and production work order processes.
Support in inventory cycle counts.
Support Manager to identify major loss areas, and facilitate process improvement.
Support new supplier onboarding processes.
Support phase-in / phase-out and new product introductions.
Support, resolve and troubleshoot ERP application (MRP / MPS) issues.
Support strategic projects as a key participant.
Support supplier meetings and negotiations to ensure demand for materials is met.
Support the Breweries with materials needs.
Support the implementation of new processes, policies and technologies.
Track
Track all inbound shipments ensuring on time delivery that meets release requirements.
Track and communicate all expedites to cross-functional teams until fully received.
Track and monitor materials inventory level.
Track and report key KPIs - obsolescence, supplier inventory levels, DIO, service.
Track, control, and manager parts inventory.
Track daily Commercial and Residential line adherence to the production schedule.
Track, evaluate and report on subcontractor progress and scope.
Track and manage supplier delivery and quality performance.
Track shipments from suppliers and delivery performance.
Track the flow of critical / hot parts from the company Supply.
Transmit
Transmit releases to vendors ensuring they are acknowledged.
Troubleshoot
Troubleshoot basic issues independently and report issues to management.
Troubleshoot quantity discrepancies between inventory count and inventory system.
Uncover
Uncover and resolve root causes of supplier issues.
Understand
Understand and define planning parameters for all responsible parts.
Understand Inventory Control and Physical as well as Cycle Count monitoring.
Understand Material Planning principals (MRP, Inventory Models).
Understand special test / witness certification requirements and actions to achieve certification.
Update
Update and maintain SAP planning parameters, operational performance / constraints and standards.
Update purchase orders with acknowledged ship dates and actual ship dates.
Update and maintain current MRP item master planning parameters including.
Use
Use and maintain demand planning software as primary forecasting system tool.
Use forecast and firm order data to place secure materials from international vendors.
Utilize
Utilize Kanban and Bulk processes to ensure material availability and reduce cycle times.
Utilize MRP and RPS to ensure optimum planning parameters such that inventory levels are sufficient.
Utilize RPS to communicate supplier.
Verify
Verify assembled products conform to defined specifications.
Verify receipt or non-receipt of material when there is a dispute with the Customer.
Work with
Work with accounts payable to resolve discrepancies in receipts / invoices.
Work with customers regarding discrepancies in orders and releases.
Work with GPE (Global Plan Excellence) office to define / implement system change requests.
Work with Management Team for incoming and outgoing material for Suppliers.
Work with production and purchasing to ensure inventory and supplier release accuracy.
Work with project teams as necessary to execute the planned transition on time.
Work with Quality on non-conforming components for timely disposition.
Work with Scheduling, Production, Quality and Shipping to ensure that customer requests are met.
Work with Sourcing and Manufacturing to define make / buy strategy based on full-cost models.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Material Planner:
JIT
Economics
Analyze Ambiguous Data
MRP
Materials Planning
Food
Grocery
Logistics
Manufacturing Sectors
Reorder Buying
Business
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Material Planner:
Written and oral communication skills
Analytical ability
Priority management
Time-management
Develop applicable solutions within short time constraints
Planning
Problem-solving attitude
Attention to detail
Organizational capacity
Interpersonal skills
Detail-oriented
Directly contribute to and impact company results
Team player
