Production Planner/Buyer

Position PurposeThe Planner / Buyer will report to the Manager, Production Planning and will be responsible for optimizing supply and demand planning processes to develop and implement production plans based on the sales forecast and manufacturing capacity. The Planner / Buyer will develop production plans that optimize manufacturing resources at minimal operating cost and achieves agreed upon inventory stock levels and customer service targets. The individual will generate information to be used in inventory management of various items and volumes of materials.This individual will work closely with external suppliers and will manage the replenishment buying process for the on-time delivery of production materials to support the Production Plan. Essential FunctionsDevelop production plans for product workstream, consistent with trade sales forecast and available production capacity.Utilize various production planning software tools (SAP, Microsoft Excel, ePPC) to develop and execute the production planning processMonitor weekly SAP and ePPC netted production requirements and develop short-term production schedules consistent with long-term production plan and available capacity. Monitor and report weekly production plan data, including Production Actual Vs. Plan, Trade Sales Actual Vs. Plan, and Capacity Utilization for assigned work center. Monitor and report Supply Chain KPIs, including Production On-Time Delivery (OTD), Backorders, Production Workload, and latest Production Plan Vs. Rolling Trade Sales forecast.Evaluate SAP-MRP netted demand for raw and packaging materials. Generate purchase orders in SAP for production items supplied by external suppliers and/or internal Ivoclar production sites. Evaluate stock levels for procured materials and closely work with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery of production materials to meet the Production Plan. Evaluate SAP-MRP Planning parameters to ensure optimal planning consistent with internal targets, including safety stock targets, reorder point, planned delivery time, and safety time factor. Interface with corporate Global Planning and SAP / ePPC Production and Master Data process experts to maintain and improve SAP / ePPC related operations at IVMI.Coordinate the SAP / ePPC Master Data setup and creation for new materials impacting the local production site. Manage Material Master Data (MMD) setup for new products or changes in existing products - including Bills of Material (BOM), Product Routings, Production Form User (PFUs) - and updating MRP and Quality Management views in SAP.Maintain documentation to support all master data changes to SAP / ePPC Production and Quality management master data as part of the IVMI change management system.Participate on Operational Excellence projects focused on Planning or execution process improvements.Provide Production Planning and/or Inventory Management reports at the request of the manager or leadership as necessary.Ensure compliance to all related functional and department SOPs, Work Instructions (WI's), controlled documents, and individual training requirements.Perform other related duties and assignments as required. QualificationsBachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field. Minimum 2 to 3 years of experience in Production Planning, Purchasing, or other Supply Chain Management function.Experience with SAP ERP system preferred, or other similar ERP system. Ability to think analytically and problem-solve in a complex Production Planning environment. Ability to effectively organize, prioritize, and time manage workload. Ability to act and operate independently with minimal daily direction to accomplish job requirements. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both oral and written. Ability to work effectively with employees from all levels of the company. Computer literate in MS Office, specifically MS Excel. Physical DemandsAbility to sit or stand for 8 or more hours per day mostly in an office environment, view computer monitor and, move about effectively to fulfill the essential functions of the job.The employment policy of Ivoclar Vivadent Manufacturing Inc. is to provide equal opportunity to all persons. Our company, therefore, has made a commitment to equal employment opportunity through a positive and continuing affirmative action program. No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, military and/or veteran status, or any other Federal or State legally-protected classes.