Material Planner Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

GENERAL SUMMARY 
Responsible for the procurement and releasing of raw material and keeping inventory levels on target.  Monthly scorecards to suppliers on performance.  Maintain MRO inventories to ensure efficient production capabilities, cost management and supplier management and development.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 
A. Maintain cost adjustment mechanisms.
B. Maintain annual budget for purchasing costs.
C. Develop cost reduction exercises through:
          a. Elimination of waste in value stream
          b. Effective supplier negotiations
          c. Purchase price variance opportunities
D. Routinely prepare and evaluate RFQ packages for purchasing requirements.
E. Maintain understanding of influencing factors within our industry.
F. Suggest / implement approved cost savings ideas.
G. Maintain purchase orders for outside processors.
H. Purchase components for all manufacturing processes.
I. Obtain quotes and procure new launch material & quotes
J. Purchase Raw Material / Components to not exceed inventory targets
K. Conduct "Spot-buys" when supplier cannot meet requirements
L. Reconcile Raw Material Inventory to Theoretical Inventory (cycle counts required to
          uncover root cause for adjustments) 
M. Reconcile Raw Material Inventory to QA Hold Inventory and return material
N. Evaluate steel availability per the Master Schedule
O. Fill in for Purchasing Manager during absence
P. Assist with providing direction to the hourly Receiving Tech 
Q. Assist in Preparing for Daily Production Meeting
R. Track Supplier Performance (Corrective Actions where applicable)
S. Assist with maintaining Raw Material Specification Sheets for all Parts
T. Suggest / Implement Approved Cost Savings Ideas
U. Maintain purchase orders for outside processors
V. Purchase components for assembly
W. PPAP Parts / Engineering Support with Purchasing 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
Education:
• Prefer Bachelor’s degree in Purchasing; or minimum 3 years automotive management
          experience in Purchasing, Materials Management or Production Management.  
• NAPM (A.P.P. C.P.M.) or APICS (CPIM, CIRM) certification helpful but not required

Experience:
• Production Control working knowledge
• Minimum 3 years in automotive manufacturing purchasing role.
• Experience in manufacturing setting with a proven track record of delivering results.  
• Prior experience with multi-site responsibility in a manufacturing setting preferred.
• Production and inventory control education or experience.
• Will possess the organizational skills necessary to maintain company records in         compliance with the Materials Department and IATF-16949 systems.
• Must be able to work with all levels of company management as well as customers and vendors.

Personal/Technical Skills:
• General understanding and working knowledge of manufacturing, assembly, and welding
 equipment and tooling including design, automation, robotics, or manufacturing           processes (and all secondary related processes) relating to automotive stamping.
• Thorough understanding of company product, trade terminology, quality management and control systems and techniques, manufacturing processes including material controls, workflow, scheduling, Kanban, and equipment and machine operation.  
• Ability to coach, mentor, and evaluate others.
• Must be a self-starter with ability to prioritize workload.
• Ability to create momentum and foster organizational change. 
• Excellent judgment, problem solving skills, and decision making.
• Team player; must be able to establish teams and manage projects. 
• Strong negotiation and consulting skills, with the ability to influence others.
• Talent for recognizing better and innovative ways to accomplish objectives. 
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects done with a limited support staff.
• Strong customer service orientation with both internal and external customers.
• Results-driven with a positive attitude, exhibit flexibility, and be adaptable to change. 
• Demonstrated training and presentation skills.  Able to influence executive decisions. 
• Ability to develop and implement strategic plans through persuasion, education, and training.
• Must be data-driven and possess a high level of attention to detail, accuracy, and data
analysis.
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities and processes.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors and others.
• Ability to communicate on a one-to-one basis and before groups to obtain or provide information. 
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects/initiatives with budget limits and time constraints.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with and include others in the organization.

• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, logically, persuasively, and accurately, both verbally and in writing. 
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision; self-starter with high drive and a quality results orientation.
• Ability to effectively communicate and work well with people at all organizational levels and from various backgrounds.
• Willing to work in a team environment, adapt to the changing needs of the organization, and provide support as workloads fluctuate.
• Excellent skills in dealing with fast pace, challenging and often "impossible" situations; must like solving problems and getting the job done. 
• Willingness and ability to collaborate with internal customers and other functional groups to provide optimal solutions while complying with corporate guidelines.
• Strong leadership skills demonstrated through championing accountability, maximizing team and individual strengths, seeking and implementing change, and aligning with critical plant and business objectives. 

Language Skills:
• Must be able to clearly speak, read, write, and understand the primary language (English)
 used in the workplace.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups and/or     boards of directors.

Computer/Software:
• Must demonstrate proficiency with Microsoft Office and other computer-based    applications (e.g., MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook, Internet, etc.).
• Working knowledge and experience with ERP/MRP software.

Training:  
• New Hire Orientation
• Environmental, Health, & Safety
• IATF-16949 Systems
• ISO-14001 Systems
• Introduction to Lean
• Associate Involvement
• Quick Die Change – SMED
• Workplace Organization – 5S
• Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
• TQPS Workshop
• ShopEdge ERP System
• Purchasing Procedures
• QCBD Document Control

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS
Office:  Open Office Environment

Plant:  Various types of manufacturing environments.
• Standard automotive plant environment with moderate noise level.  
• PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as safety glasses, steel toe shoes, Kevlar
sleeves, hearing protection, etc. may be required in designated engineering, manufacturing
or industrial areas.  Personal attire standards may apply.
• Involves moderate or occasional presence of some slightly disagreeable conditions, i.e.,
cold, dust, heat, odor, etc.

Travel: 
• Must be willing to travel up to 10% of the time with travel most commonly limited to less than 5%. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

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

Although the primary job functions involve the ability to sit and work on a computer and in an office situation for extensive periods of time, the associate must be capable of walking, sitting, and standing for extended periods of time. The associate is frequently required to walk; reach with hands and arms; and talk, see, and hear. The associate is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The associate must be able to frequently lift and / or move up to 10 pounds, occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds and infrequently lift and / or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

DISCLAIMER
This job description is intended to identify the general nature and level of work performed by associates within this classification, as well as certain essential job functions.  It is not intended, and should not be interpreted, as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice, based on operational needs.  To qualify for this job, however, an associate must be able to perform its essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.  Under no circumstances may this job description be construed as altering the at-will nature of the employment relationship between NASG and any associate.

EOE/M/F/D/V