Master Scheduler & Purchasing Assistant

Since 1973, Taber Extrusions has been a leading manufacturer of aluminum extrusion-based products for OEMs in markets ranging from Military, Department of Defense, Aircraft/Aerospace, Marine/Shipbuilder, Boat Docks, Platforms, Decking, Motor Housing, Electronics, Heat Sinks, Automotive, Rail, and Structural Components. Taber is headquartered in Russellville, Arkansas and operates two manufacturing sites in Russellville and one manufacturing site located in Gulfport, Mississippi. The Company is segmented into five operating units; Extrusion, Cast House, Fabrication, Friction Stir Welding and Micro Extrusion. Taber has continued to make ongoing investments in their value-added capabilities by recently expanding their Russellville facility to house their new friction stir welder and new state-of-the-ton press with 16" container designed for larger, complex profiles with tighter tolerances for aerospace, defense, and heavy industrial customers.

 Job Summary

The Master Scheduler & Purchasing Planner is a key contributor to operational success, responsible for the strategic planning, scheduling, and control of all product orders. This position plays a critical role in balancing demand and capacity to optimize manufacturing resources and meet customer delivery lead times. A crucial part of this function is coordinating the procurement of essential materials from suppliers. 

Duties and Responsibilities.

• Utilize ERP to analyze production requirements and plant capacity to determine appropriate manufacturing processes, tools, and human resource requirements.

• Develop supply strategies (make to order vs. make to stock) and ERP planning parameters for manufactured parts.

• Establish and maintain target inventory levels for items purchased or manufactured to stock, incorporating the latest information on usage and replenishment times.

• Create master schedules to establish sequence and lead times of each operation to meet and shorten shipping dates to customer order requirements.

• Utilize ERP to release daily manufacturing orders scheduled by machine groups.

• Review actual Production data and take necessary actions to increase production capabilities or initiate necessary schedule changes.

Monitor production performance versus plan and analyze all variations for root cause. Communicate with appropriate Departments to resolve findings and improve process.

• Prepare “make vs. buy” analysis in conjunction with Supply Chain Department.

• Extract and analyze production data in ERP to support decision-making.

• Issue purchase orders.

• Oversee required processes (e.g. order, work order and requisitions for supplies, equipment, and services, etc.).

• Process purchase orders for raw materials and supplies based on the master production schedule.

• Negotiate pricing and contracts with suppliers to secure favorable terms and cost savings.

• Monitor vendor performance and address any issues related to shortages, late deliveries, or quality concerns.

• Maintain strong relationships with vendors and other stakeholders to optimize the supply chain.

Education and Experience

• Three to five years of ERP MM/PP experience
• Strong command of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
• Knowledge of inventory control principles and practices
• Previous experience in Supply Chain Management
• APICS and Six Sigma certifications a plus
• Set up inventory and stocking procedures to ensure minimum inventory levels
• Administer material request Audit stocked inventories to ensure 3-to-5-day turn