Description: 

The purpose of the Sr. Material Planner is to procure raw materials, manage inventory and coordinate with suppliers to ensure adequate supplies on hand to meet production levels. This position is responsible for planning production subassemblies and assemblies for department.  Also, this role will work in concert with other department planners to ensure ability to meet ship and lead time goals for manufacturing facility.  This position will be fully cross-trained in each planning responsibility to provide seamless service during peak times.

Responsibilities:

• - Achieve raw material availability for manufacturing facility on time.  Execute material requisitions, orders and releases in a timely and efficient manner.
• - Using existing planning techniques, while continuously exploring enhanced methods, plan production subassemblies and final assemblies for department, with focus on level production utilization and maximization of production efficiencies.
• - Responsible for inventory management for assigned materials required to ensure support of the production plan in tandem with meeting financial inventory objectives.
• - Manage relationships with the existing suppliers to eliminate any constraints. Develop and implement strategies to meet and improve inventory turns.
• - Continuously focus on minimization of “aged” inventory.  Work to minimize obsolescence.  Re-deploy material inventory across the network in a balance of age/obsolescence risk and freight costs.
• - Provide short- and long-range material projections to vendors.  Execute phase in/out strategies for promotional activities and product discontinuations.
• - Communicate to Materials Manager any service issues related to stock availability and coordinate resolution – involving any team as required.
• - Identify all critical shortages, monitor the implementation of corrective action plans, control inventory levels & coordinate the disposition of obsolete, non-conforming and excess materials
• - Coordinate planning and scheduling activities for assigned commodity utilizing advanced planning tools to model, simulate and release optimized material plans to the organization
• - Balance service level, inventory and resource utilization to meet plan.  Monitor performance to plan and take proactive steps to solve problems and mitigate any risks to meeting plan.
• - Assure timely release of materials and monitor status of new products as they are introduced into production.
• - Analyze data and collaborate in determination and subsequent application of appropriate order, inventory and replenishment policies.
• - Use sales forecast, current promotions and historical data to estimate product mix and plan/schedule all sub-assemblies and assemblies on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.  Work in concert with other department planners to ensure ability to ship final product within facility goals.
• - Work in concert with planners in other Select Comfort manufacturing facilities to balance raw material needs and finished component needs (example chambers and pumps) at each facility.
• - Assist with MRO purchasing as needed.
• - Able to perform Materials Manager duties on as-needed basis (PTO coverage, etc.)
• - May be responsible for procurement and supplier management of low dollar value/expense item suppliers.

Requirements:

• - 5+ years material planning/production planning experience in a repetitive manufacturing environment. 
• - Functional skills across all planning positions within the plant (cross-training)
• - HS diploma or GED required
• - Bachelor’s degree or a combination of education and experience required.
• - APICS course work/certification preferred.
• - Knowledge of manufacturing inventory control practices
• - Knowledge of Lean manufacturing principals & 5S methodologies
• - Knowledge of MRP and various replenishment practices/systems
• - Knowledge of standard commercial procurement procedures and practices
• - Working knowledge of personal computer and MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, Access) programs
• - Ability to manage people, organize and prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• - Knowledge of Oracle inventory management and warehouse modules, materials or production planning and control a plus.
• - High level of analytical ability required
• - Must be able to interact and participate as a team member
• - Must have ability to manage confidential and company proprietary information
• - Normal physical exertion and office environment
• - Must be able to work overtime/weekends or travel as needed