Material Requirements Planner (MRP)

The Material Requirements Planner (MRP) supports the effectiveness of the Supply Chain organization by planning, scheduling, and monitoring material requirements to ensure the uninterrupted flow of raw materials, components, and purchased goods necessary to meet customer demand, production schedules, inventory objectives, and business goals. This role works cross-functionally with Production, Purchasing, Customer Service, Engineering, Quality, and Suppliers to maintain material availability, optimize inventory levels, improve planning accuracy, and support on-time delivery performance.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Core Responsibilities:

Material Planning & Inventory Management

• Plan and manage material requirements to support customer demand, production schedules, forecasted demand, and inventory objectives.
• Generate, review, and maintain MRP recommendations within the ERP system to ensure timely replenishment of materials and components.
• Monitor inventory levels, shortages, excess inventory, slow-moving inventory, and obsolete materials while recommending corrective actions.
• Analyze inventory trends and planning data to ensure appropriate inventory investment and material availability.
• Maintain accurate planning parameters including lead times, safety stock levels, minimum order quantities, reorder points, and order policies.
• Coordinate material availability for new product launches, engineering changes, customer demand fluctuations, and production schedule changes.

Production & Supply Chain Coordination

• Collaborate closely with Purchasing, Production, Customer Service, and Engineering to align material availability with manufacturing requirements.
• Review production schedules and identify potential material shortages, capacity constraints, or supply risks that may impact customer deliveries.
• Participate in Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) activities and demand review processes.
• Support scheduling priorities and expedite critical materials when necessary to maintain production continuity.
• Coordinate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve supply disruptions and material shortages.

ERP & Data Management

• Maintain accurate material master data and planning parameters within the ERP system.
• Monitor system-generated purchase recommendations, planned orders, and inventory transactions for accuracy.
• Ensure inventory transactions, receipts, adjustments, and planning records are properly maintained.
• Support ERP system improvements, data integrity initiatives, and planning process enhancements.
• Develop and maintain reports, dashboards, and planning metrics to support decision-making.

Supplier Performance & Risk Management

• Monitor supplier performance related to delivery, lead times, responsiveness, quality issues, and supply continuity.
• Identify potential supply chain risks and communicate concerns proactively to management.
• Support supplier recovery plans, expedites, alternative sourcing efforts, and inventory mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with Purchasing on supplier capacity concerns, lead-time changes, and supply chain disruptions.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Analyze planning performance, inventory turns, forecast accuracy, service levels, and material availability metrics.
• Support Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement initiatives, inventory reduction projects, and cost savings opportunities.
• Participate in cross-functional problem-solving activities focused on improving planning accuracy and operational efficiency.
• Support ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 14001, and EHS initiatives as applicable.
• Recommend process improvements to enhance planning effectiveness and supply chain performance.

Communication & Collaboration

• Communicate material constraints, supply risks, inventory concerns, and planning priorities to appropriate stakeholders.
• Support cross-functional meetings related to production planning, inventory management, customer demand, and supply chain performance.
• Prepare reports and presentations related to inventory, material availability, planning performance, and operational metrics.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of Material Requirements Planning (MRP) principles and inventory management practices.
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and ERP systems.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze large data sets, demand trends, inventory metrics, and planning requirements.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of supply chain, purchasing, production scheduling, and inventory control principles.
• Ability to effectively communicate with suppliers and cross-functional internal teams.
• Understanding of forecasting concepts, inventory optimization, and planning methodologies.
• Ability to interpret bills of materials (BOMs), engineering changes, and production requirements.
• Strong customer-service mindset with a focus on supporting on-time delivery and operational performance.

Education and Experience:

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 2–5 years of Materials Planning, Production Planning, Inventory Control, Purchasing, or Supply Chain experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience utilizing ERP/MRP systems in a manufacturing environment required.
• Experience supporting inventory management, forecasting, material planning, and supplier coordination preferred.
• APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent) preferred.
• Experience with automotive, industrial manufacturing, cold heading, fastening systems, or metal-forming environments preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills preferred.