MATERIAL PLANNER/ BUYER - Spherion

Are you a master of supply chain efficiency? Do you thrive on keeping production lines moving and customers happy? Our client, a leading manufacturer in the CSRA, is looking for an experienced Material Planner/Buyer for a 6 Month Contact.

As a Material Planner/Buyer, you'll be the key link between suppliers, inventory, and our client's manufacturing operations. In this highly tactical role, you'll be responsible for monitoring product phase-ins and phase-outs, ensuring component availability, and managing inventory levels to meet customer service targets while minimizing excess and obsolete stock.

Responsibilities:
- Work cross-functionally to deliver product launches on time and within budget
- Receive and analyze requisitions to determine quantity, specifications, and delivery requirements for new product projects
- From the approved supplier list, recommend and select suppliers to fulfill scheduled plant deliveries
- Responsible for the on-boarding of new selected suppliers relative to material planning
- Ensure up-to-date ABC classification is maintained for planning and other key inputs into the PFEP (Product Family Evaluation Process)
- Ensure optimal inventory levels and safety stock are maintained for assigned parts
- Coordinate with Quality Assurance to resolve quality issues with suppliers
- Maintain proactive shortage identification and management - help flag root causes and corrective actions
- Identify total cost and cash flow opportunities with suppliers
- Analyze and select parts for Kanban and supplier replenishment systems
- May lead and direct others to accomplish desired organizational objectives
- Expedite deliveries to meet and exceed scheduled critical requirements
- Maintain material plan at the time fence to ensure continuity of supply
- Coordinate with production planners for solutions when parts cannot be delivered as promised
- Maintain and continuously evaluate supplier performance and escalate to Procurement when issues occur
- Resolve invoice discrepancies with suppliers and accounting
- Analyze material and capacity availability to provide customer promise dates for sales orders
- Maintain item master lead time information based on process improvements, current constraints, total current demand by product family, and priority information
- Manage internal and supplier-owned/vendor-managed inventory (SOMI/VMI) material and parameters to meet schedules
- Interface with required functional groups to resolve challenging delivery requirements
- Communicate forecasts and replenishment plans to suppliers
- Review open requirements, monitor vendor performance, and expedite where necessary; ensure problems relating to delivery, quality, or pricing are promptly conveyed to the supplier and resolved in a timely manner
- Identify and implement cost reduction/productivity projects to meet corporate initiatives and goals; maintain pipeline and financial records for reporting and tracking productivity

Working hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Skills:
- MAPICS and Windchill experience
- APICS (CPIM) or equivalent certification
- Experience in Project Management

Education:
Bachelors

Experience:
1-4 years

Qualifications:
- Bachelors Degree Required; 10+ Years of experience can serve in place of degree
- 4 or more years of planner/buyer experience in a manufacturing environment
- Considerable knowledge of industry-related supply base
- Skilled in production and supplier scheduling
- Knowledgeable of supplier processes and capabilities
- Working knowledge of BOM structures
- Able to provide direction and training to peers as needed
- Computer proficient with ERP and Microsoft Office applications
- Basic mathematical skills
- Experience with rate-based or flow line (non-MRP) and job shop manufactu

Spherion has helped thousands of people just like you find work happiness! Our experienced staff will listen carefully to your employment needs and then work diligently to match your skills and qualifications to the right job and company. Whether you're looking for temporary, temp-to-perm or direct hire opportunities, no one works harder for you than Spherion.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.

At Spherion, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact Callcenter@spherion.com.

Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Spherion offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, and an incentive and recognition program (all benefits are based on eligibility).