Purchasing Inventory Assistant Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Alumitank, Inc. – Harvard, IL
Salary: $60,000–$70,000 per year
Job Type: Full-Time | In Person
Department: Manufacturing / Operations

Join Our Team

Alumitank is seeking an organized and analytical Materials Planner to support our manufacturing operations in Harvard, Illinois.

In this role, you will help ensure the right materials are available at the right time to keep production moving efficiently. You will work closely with Production, Purchasing, Inventory, Shipping & Receiving, Engineering, and suppliers to manage material requirements, prevent shortages, maintain appropriate inventory levels, and support customer demand.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys planning, problem-solving, working with data, and coordinating across multiple departments in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

What You’ll Do

·       Review production schedules, sales orders, forecasts, and inventory levels to determine material requirements

·       Create and maintain material plans to support production schedules

·       Use the company’s ERP/MRP system to plan and manage material requirements

·       Monitor inventory, usage, demand, and supply to identify potential shortages or excess inventory

·       Release and manage production orders as needed

·       Review planned orders and adjust timing and quantities based on changing production requirements

·       Monitor supplier lead times and expected delivery dates

·       Proactively identify material shortages, delays, and potential production impacts

·       Partner with Purchasing to expedite, reschedule, or adjust orders as necessary

·       Coordinate with Production to ensure material availability aligns with manufacturing schedules

·       Maintain accurate planning parameters, including lead times, reorder points, safety stock, order quantities, and planning policies

·       Analyze inventory levels and recommend opportunities to improve inventory turns and reduce excess or obsolete inventory

·       Assist with inventory accuracy by identifying discrepancies and working with Inventory and Warehouse personnel to resolve issues

·       Support new product introductions, engineering changes, and changes in customer demand by adjusting material plans

·       Maintain accurate material planning records, documentation, and system data

·       Participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to material flow, planning accuracy, inventory performance, and operational efficiency

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

·       High school diploma or equivalent

·       Previous experience in materials planning, production planning, purchasing, inventory control, supply chain, or manufacturing operations

·       Strong understanding of inventory management and Material Requirements Planning (MRP)

·       Experience working with an ERP/MRP system

·       Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

·       Excellent organizational and time-management skills

·       Strong attention to detail and follow-through

·       Ability to analyze data and make sound decisions as business and production needs change

·       Strong communication skills

·       Ability to effectively coordinate and work with multiple departments

Preferred Qualifications

·       Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, or a related field

·       Previous experience in a manufacturing environment

·       Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or a similar ERP/MRP system

·       Experience with production scheduling and capacity planning

What Success Looks Like

A successful Materials Planner will:

·       Maintain sufficient material availability to support production schedules

·       Proactively identify potential material and supply issues

·       Minimize production interruptions caused by material shortages

·       Maintain accurate ERP/MRP planning data and system parameters

·       Help improve inventory accuracy and inventory turns

·       Identify opportunities to reduce excess and obsolete inventory

·       Maintain effective communication with suppliers and internal departments

·       Support continuous improvement of material planning and inventory processes

Physical & Work Requirements

·       Ability to lift up to 50 pounds as needed

·       Ability to stand and walk within a manufacturing environment

·       Ability to work safely around manufacturing equipment and machinery

·       Ability to safely climb onto and access railroad cars using fixed ladders, steps, and handholds as required to perform job-related duties

·       Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments

Salary & Benefits

Salary: $60,000–$70,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications.

Eligible full-time employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including:

·       Medical, dental, and vision insurance

·       401(k) retirement plan with company contribution

·       Company-paid $50,000 life insurance

·       Company-paid short-term disability

·       Long-term disability

·       Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

·       Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

·       Paid time off

·       Paid holidays

·       Employee referral program

·       Tuition reimbursement

Why Alumitank?

At Alumitank, our Materials Planner plays an important role in keeping production running efficiently and ensuring our teams have the materials they need to meet customer commitments.

You’ll work across multiple areas of the organization and have the opportunity to directly influence material availability, inventory performance, production efficiency, and continuous improvement.

If you’re a detail-oriented planner who enjoys solving problems, working across departments, and keeping manufacturing operations moving, we’d like to hear from you.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Alumitank, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Alumitank will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The AlumiTank story began with a need — and a vision. Founded in 1989 by Bob and Terry Kirkpatrick, AlumiTank was born from their experience in the trucking industry and a belief that they could build a better, more accessible aluminum fuel tank.

What started as late nights and hand-built equipment has grown into a trusted name in aluminum fuel tank manufacturing, serving everyone from owner-operators to some of the largest logistics and rail companies in North America.

Our roots go deeper: Kirkpatrick Trucking was founded in 1938 by Seth Kirkpatrick, and that dedication to trucking has stayed in the family. Today, the same grit and pride drives our team of welders, engineers, and sales professionals to deliver unmatched quality and support.