Supply Chain Planning Specialist

Location: Marietta, OH
Job Type: Direct Hire, Full-Time
Starting Salary: $60,000 annually (higher compensation may be available based on experience)
Travel: Up to 10% for supplier visits, industry events, and business meetings

We are seeking an experienced Supply Chain Planning Specialist to manage both material planning and purchasing activities within a manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for ensuring materials are available to support production schedules while maintaining efficient inventory levels and supplier performance.

The ideal candidate will understand the complete material flow process, from planning and purchasing through receiving, inventory management, assembly support, and final shipment. This is a hands-on role requiring strong ERP/MRP knowledge and experience purchasing electrical and electromechanical components used in manufactured products.

Key Responsibilities

Purchasing & Supplier Coordination
• Create, release, and manage purchase orders for production materials and components.
• Procure electrical and electromechanical items such as wires, cables, energy meters, enclosures, breakers, transformers, and related components.
• Work with approved suppliers to ensure materials are delivered on time and according to production requirements.
• Monitor supplier performance, lead times, and delivery schedules.
• Identify potential supply issues and take proactive steps to avoid production disruptions.
• Support sourcing initiatives and supplier qualification activities as needed.
Material Planning & Inventory Management
• Utilize ERP/MRP systems to analyze demand and determine material requirements.
• Plan inventory levels to support production while minimizing shortages and excess stock.
• Maintain accurate planning data, including lead times, reorder points, safety stock levels, and minimum order quantities.
• Track material availability and coordinate expedited deliveries when necessary.
• Resolve shortages and inventory discrepancies affecting production schedules.
• Support cycle counts and inventory accuracy initiatives.
Production & Cross-Functional Support
• Manage material requirements for assigned production lines from planning through material delivery.
• Partner with production, engineering, quality, receiving, and logistics teams to ensure smooth material flow.
• Review bills of material (BOMs) and support engineering changes affecting purchased components.
• Assist with new product introductions and production readiness activities.
• Provide updates regarding material availability, inventory risks, and supply chain concerns.
Reporting & Process Improvement
• Monitor key supply chain metrics related to inventory, supplier performance, and material availability.
• Support continuous improvement efforts focused on planning accuracy, inventory control, and ERP utilization.
• Assist with initiatives that improve material flow and manufacturing efficiency.
• Maintain accurate purchasing and planning records within the ERP system.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of combined purchasing and material planning experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting manufactured or assembled products.
• Strong understanding of both purchasing and production planning functions.
• Hands-on experience using ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Epicor, Infor, or similar platforms.
• Understanding of material flow processes, including purchasing, receiving, inventory management, picking, assembly, and shipping.
• Experience purchasing electrical or electromechanical components, including items such as wires, cables, meters, breakers, transformers, enclosures, or related products.
• Ability to interpret bills of material (BOMs), production requirements, and inventory planning data.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and business systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field.
• APICS certification (CPIM, CSCP) or similar supply chain credentials strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting electrical equipment, power distribution products, or electromechanical assemblies.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience working with supplier performance programs and inventory optimization initiatives.

What We're Looking For

This position is best suited for someone who understands both purchasing and planning—not simply purchase order entry. Successful candidates will have experience using ERP/MRP systems to manage production requirements, material availability, inventory levels, and supplier performance within a manufacturing environment.