PURPOSE

The Demand Planner is responsible for planning, scheduling, coordinating, and monitoring products through the complete production cycle. Experience in working with manufacturing software such as Syteline and MRP is also desired.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Scheduling and Order Maintenance Functions:
  • Maintain scheduling practices that support customer, sales, internal operations, and corporate objectives.
  • Utilize ERP software to schedule all incoming customer orders to achieve an optimal due date considering the customer requested ship date and production capability.
  • Execute Plans to ensure inventory procurement is processed in a manner which meets the established due date, while utilizing the most cost-effective method.
  • Respond quickly to alleviate Exceptions that would prevent delinquent orders; or minimize any negative impact to the customer or production.
  • Effectively communicate with Production Management on a daily basis.
  • Review demands and expedite with pertinent departments if customer or production demand changes.
  • Offer possible solutions or alternatives in order to meet customer demand.
  • Immediately communicate concerns with ability to meet priority requested ship dates with the Inside Sales Support and Sales Divisions.
  • Promptly process requests to cancel, maintain, or update existing orders.
  • Aid on urgent orders and management expedites.
  • Planning and Inventory Functions:
  • Participate in New Product Introduction meetings to help coordinate inventory procurement and production prototyping.
  • Update Item records assist with Life Cycle Management steps and follow through on Engineering change notices.
  • Generate and execute reports as needed as required by management to complete standard duties.
• Reporting / Projects:
  • Review on-order inventory levels and monitor adherence to planned purchases and documented procedures on a macro basis.
  • Maintain and improve inventory policies to allow for accurate forecasts.
  • Tracking inventory levels of components, WIP and raw materials.
  • Assist Value Stream Managers to determine Expedite Allowance based on Top Management direction.
  • Process and review outbound purchase order to all vendors (Japan and local).
  • Review and Maintenance of the Item Initialization Process.
  • Initiate action as required based upon the results of this periodic analysis.
  • Define the appropriate amount of inventory based upon the parameters provided by Top Management, Supply Chain Management, and / or Material Management.
  • Participate in the periodic review of bin turn information, as well as the ensuing report development, organizational communication, and procurement activity management related to the results.
  • Inventory Reporting and Follow-up.
  • The candidate will facilitate the development of the forecast information and its’ translation into inventory actions.
  • Other inventory or Material Control related events / initiatives / projects.
  • Works to resolve (in case of design changes) labor and material shortages, backlogs, and other potential schedule interruptions.
• General Duties:
  • Maintain a safe and clean working environment by following 5S guidelines.
  • Escalate unresolved concerns or issues to the direct supervisor.
  • Assist or provide coverage for other Production Planners/Demand Planner as necessary.
  • Other duties as assigned by Management.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time.
• Occasional physical demand of moving or rearranging files and file storage boxes.
• Fast-paced Office Environment
• The work environment will expose an employee to the following elements:   Noise, Heat, Cold, Dust.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• An undergraduate degree in a related field (Business Administration, Materials Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management) desired.  Lean Six Sigma, CPIM, APICS certified preferred.
• (2) to (4) years’ experience in a manufacturing / distribution related materials management or operations position.
• Knowledge / exposure to the fundamentals of order point theories, JIT concepts and MRP concepts are desired.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Proven expertise in Project Planning and managing large projects.
• High proficiency with Excel and experience in using Microsoft Office.
• Excellent communication skills required. Must be able to read/write/speak and understand English. Must be able to effectively communicate.
• Extremely detail oriented.
• Product life cycle knowledge (new designs), lead time work around planning, subcontract management interface.
• Ability to interface with Senior Management, Project Managers, Systems Engineers, Direct Customers and Financial Analysts.