Associate Inventory Planner Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Description

Polytek Development Corp. is a leading manufacturer of mold making and casting materials. Polytek is seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and organized professional to join our manufacturing team as a Materials Planner I. This role is responsible for managing raw material planning and procurement activities, maintaining material availability for production, coordinating site purchasing requirements, and supporting production scheduling to ensure customer demand and operational objectives are met.

Essential Job Functions

Major tasks and other key responsibilities include:

• Manage the end-to-end planning, ordering, and tracking of raw materials required to support manufacturing operations.
• Utilize ERP/MRP systems to plan material requirements, monitor inventory levels, and ensure timely replenishment of raw materials.
• Create, release, monitor, and maintain purchase orders for raw materials, packaging components, indirect materials, and site services.
• Coordinate with suppliers to confirm order acknowledgments, delivery dates, and shipment status to ensure uninterrupted production operations.
• Proactively track open purchase orders and expedite materials as necessary to prevent production shortages.
• Collaborate with Production, Operations, Customer Service, and Quality teams to align material availability with production requirements and customer demand.
• Develop and maintain inventory levels that support service objectives while minimizing excess inventory and working capital.
• Analyze inventory trends, forecasted demand, and supplier performance to identify risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain and support accurate Bills of Material (BOMs), item master data, lead times, and inventory planning parameters within the ERP system.
• Manage inventory control processes, including cycle count reviews, discrepancy investigations, and corrective actions to ensure inventory accuracy.
• Issue and manage all site purchase orders for indirect materials, maintenance supplies, consumables, and approved services.
• Work closely with suppliers and corporate purchasing resources to obtain competitive pricing, improve service levels, and reduce overall supply chain costs.
• Monitor supplier performance and develop effective working relationships with key vendors.
• Generate and maintain reports related to inventory levels, material shortages, supplier deliveries, purchase order status, and production scheduling metrics.
• Support production scheduling activities by creating and adjusting manufacturing schedules based on material availability, capacity constraints, and customer requirements.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on inventory management, procurement processes, scheduling efficiency, and overall supply chain performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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 position.

• Must be able to sit at a desk for prolonged periods of time and work on a computer.
• Must be able to work in an office and manufacturing environment.
• Must be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to talk, hear, and see with vision abilities including close/near, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Must wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when entering manufacturing areas.
• Occasional travel may be required, up to 5%.

Education & Experience:

• Must be able to understand, speak, read, and write English.
• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• 3-5 years of experience in materials planning, production scheduling, purchasing, inventory management, customer service, or supply chain operations within a manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of MRP/ERP systems, inventory management principles, purchasing processes, and production scheduling concepts.
• Experience managing purchase orders, supplier communications, and inventory replenishment activities.
• Ability to analyze inventory, demand, and supply data to support production and purchasing decisions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and manage changing demands in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work effectively across departments and with external suppliers.
• APICS/ASCM certification or related coursework is a plus, but not required.

Key Competencies:

• Materials Requirements Planning (MRP)
• Production Scheduling
• Procurement & Purchasing
• Inventory Management
• Supplier Management
• ERP Systems
• Forecasting & Demand Planning
• Inventory Accuracy & Cycle Counting
• Continuous Improvement
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Analytical Problem Solving

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.