Planner at Activar

POSITION PURPOSE:
This position is responsible for coordinating and executing purchasing and inventory planning functions, creation, scheduling and distribution of production orders and purchase orders, and the development and maintenance of the inventory and production plan in accordance with guidelines established by management.  The Planner is expected to interact closely with production employees and supervisors on site at the facility they work at, on a daily basis, in order to obtain direct information needed for accurate scheduling, as well as to answer order status and expediting requests.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Create and schedule production orders and purchase orders to meet our overall inventory plan.
• Promptly distribute production orders and purchase orders as directed by management.
• Work closely with co-workers to build and maintain the inventory and production plan.
• Follow up on purchase order confirmations within 24 hours.
• Investigate discrepancies with vendors.
• Collect job packets and any related documents as needed when revision or dates changes are made.
• Develop and maintain a deep and thorough understanding of the production capacities and production processes in your facility, to allow for accurate scheduling of the work.
• Develop and maintain a deep and thorough understanding of the ERP system, as well as peripheral platforms, in the area of your responsibilities.
• Be prepared to expedite and determine status of orders as requested, by engaging with production employees on the floor as needed.
• Interface with Customer Service Department, Production Supervisors, Warehouse Personnel, Buyers, and Sales Personnel as needed to perform position responsibilities.
• Change the quantity and timing of production orders and purchase orders as required by changes to inventory or demand.
• Maintain full working knowledge of all processes.
• Ensure a clean and organized work environment.
• Adhere to all company standards and policies.
• Conduct oneself in a professional manner in accordance with company guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with attention to detail.
• Ability to plan, evaluate, and control material flow and manufacturing processes.
• Understanding of the company’s quality assurance goals, expectations, and standards.
• Tenacity in overcoming obstacles while maintaining productive and positive working relationships.
• Ability to execute in a rapidly changing fast-paced environment that requires strong teamwork.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and the capacity to learn new systems.
• Skill in performing accurate arithmetic functions involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; using decimals, percentages, fractions, and ratios.
• May be expected to arrive early or stay late to ensure daily requirements are met.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Required:

• Equivalent of a high school diploma or G.E.D. certification.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a similar manufacturing setting.

 Preferred:

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in related discipline.
• Shop environment and scheduling experience and knowledge of lean manufacturing practices.
• Experience with Microsoft Navision (NAV) ERP software.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk throughout the building.  The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. 

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.