Powder Plant Buyer/Planner

Summary

Responsible for all facets of planning Powder manufacturing orders  to satisfy customer demands and inventory levels. Communication is important and may include interaction with commercial teams, supply managers, production managers, internal customers and any other stakeholders. This role will work with units acting as an internal customer service person and aide in those sites inventory management. This will create a very transparent and wholistic view of what we need to have in stock and on order to maintain a lean culture that helps our sites, suppliers and customers succeed. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Create production schedule to utilize capacity and balance with customer requirements.
• Identify bottlenecks and capacity constraints due to the current demand
• Monitor and work with production in terms of lead-times, WIP, plant loading and capacity.
• Plan orders and purchases to keep all materials at designed stock levels. (set with appropriate supply manager)

• Maintain and improve systems used in our business (M-3, Kanban Box, Access, Microsoft tools, Email etc.)
• Prints and assembles MO packets
• Assist with the identification, development and implementation of special projects.
• Develop schedules to meet delivery date requirements of RTP for entire powder supply chain in West Branch. 
• Lead M-3 activity on site to support and encourage accurate and useful ways to store and use information.
• Help locate areas to improve our processes to be more effective and efficient.
• Create or maintain critical reports used in the business (always acting to consolidate and streamline this process)
• Balance demands and prioritize them so production has a plan that will satisfy customers as well as manage inventories to meet NWC targets.
• MRO ordering support to production on select items.
• Must maintain a high level of professionalism, be self-motivated and understand that no plan is permanent. Must act and be flexible to meet specific targets and be able to communicate to stakeholders about changes. Keeping commitments, maintaining confidentiality and working in a lean ethical way are important. Must have the ability to work with all levels of the organization effectively.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience

Technical Skills/Physical Requirements

• Working knowledge of the following software: Accounting, Database Management, Inventory, Manufacturing, and Order Processing Systems
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of basic MRP, ERP Systems, and Logistics in Import/Export
• Travel generally not required.