Senior Materials Planner

About Us:

Founded in 1966, Niterra North America, Inc. (formerly NGK Spark Plugs) is the world leader in technology, innovation, and world-class quality in the design of spark plugs and oxygen sensors. Today, that tradition continues as we transform our organization's portfolio, expand our core ceramic technologies, explore capabilities beyond traditional areas, and challenge ourselves to develop solutions and services that leverage technology to address social issues while contributing to a sustainable society.

Summary:

The Senior Materials Planner is responsible for managing material planning and procurement activities within an MRP environment to optimize inventory levels, ensure supply continuity, and drive continuous process improvement. This role involves tracking and analyzing supply chain performance metrics, generating purchase requisitions, managing stock levels across plants, coordinating special and pre-production builds, and maintaining master data accuracy. The ideal candidate brings advanced supply chain expertise, strong data analysis and stakeholder management skills, and the ability to lead projects and cost reduction initiatives in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities:

• Track and analyze key supply chain performance metrics including fill rates, inventory positions, and supplier performance to identify trends and optimize operational efficiencies.
• Proactively analyze demand fluctuations and generate comprehensive management reports, providing actionable recommendations for strategic inventory adjustments.
• Implement and refine inventory classification methodologies (e.g., ABC/XYZ) and safety stock strategies to align inventory positions with defined KPIs.
• Foster effective collaboration and maintain clear communication with Sales & Materials Flow analysts, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to ensure seamless alignment and execution.
• Lead and manage assigned projects and initiatives, demonstrating strong project management skills and driving successful outcomes.
• Generate purchase requisitions to suppliers utilizing the current MRP system.
• Manage finished goods and/or component stock levels by expediting or cancelling orders upon confirmation of customer demand; for shared parts between plants, create the necessary STO to move parts to prevent shortages and utilize inventory.
• Manage PIR, Source Lists, and Master Data, ensuring current parts have correct settings, running changes are put into USE-UP, and obsolete parts are updated.
• Analyze PORs, POs, SPOs, and STOs to ensure they are current and make necessary changes to those that are no longer valid.
• Manage the EOP/SOP process to ensure parts are ordered in a timely manner for SOP and minimize orders of EOP to lessen deadstock.
• Coordinate special builds, pre-production builds, etc., with the lead wire supplier, ensuring required timing is met.
• Assist in meeting company and department goals and business objectives, and report out findings as requested.
• Quickly resolve any discrepancies on receipt of materials and/or payments to suppliers, working with Accounts Payable.
• Contribute to continuous process improvement initiatives and actively participate in cost reduction efforts to enhance operational efficiency and profitability.
• Develop IATF procedures or work instructions as they relate to the job function.
• Maintain plant and annual order requirements, three-year plans, and monthly forecasts as applicable.
• Adhere to all company policies and procedures which include IATF, ISO, TISAX, ISMS, and Safety related policies.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Operations, Logistics, or a related field required; in lieu of a degree, 7 years of progressive experience in material planning and procurement in an MRP environment is required.
• Working knowledge of Supply Chain best practices.
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills.
• Strong conflict resolution and stakeholder management skills.
• Understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes, interactions, and underlying interdependencies.
• Proven ability to apply statistical planning tools for inventory modeling.
• Comprehensive experience with inventory classifications and settings to optimize inventory levels.
• Exceptional communication skills, enabling effective collaboration across business functions.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
• Proficiency with an ERP system; SAP strongly preferred.
• APICS certification (CSCP, CPIM) or equivalent a plus.
• Experience with S&OP processes a plus.
• Experience with new business and product launch planning preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Able to see and hear (correctable).
• Able to communicate verbally.
• Able to use a computer keyboard.
• Able to sit for extended periods of time.
• Able to drive a company vehicle.

Potential Hazards:

• Normal office hazards.
• Manufacturing environment hazards.

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Financial Security: Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with a generous company match of up to 6%.
• Time Off: Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Work-Life Balance: Paid maternity and paternity leave.
• And much more!

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Niterra is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Notice to Staffing Firms:

Niterra does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or CVs from recruitment agencies. We are not responsible for, and will not pay, any fees, commissions, or other payments related to unsolicited resumes or CVs, except as required by a written contract between Niterra and the recruitment agency or party requesting payment of a fee.

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