Material Planner

Material Planner

Independence, MO

Unilever’s mission is to add Vitality to Life.  We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life.

Unilever is among the Top 70 of the Fortune Global 500 Companies.  We are also one of the world’s leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods in foods, household and personal care products.  Our purpose is to meet the everyday needs of people everywhere – to anticipate the aspirations of our consumers and customers and to respond creatively and competitively with branded products and services, which raise the quality of life.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for the packaging material planning, inventory, procurement, delivery, and material movement through the production cycles of the operation’s three business units.

Position Responsibilities

1. Support the planning and distribution departments in safety, efficiency, loss management, quality and continuous improvement.

2. Coordinate packaging materials availability with production scheduling using pull systems.

3. Manage packaging material supply through just-in-time (JIT) and lean techniques to reduce on-hand inventory.

4. Analyze inventory usage, scrap and waste, and recommend any appropriate actions to minimize loss, reduce inventory, and/or increase inventory turnover that would support inventory level targets.

5. Coordinate material cycle counts and inventory management.

6. Manage excess/obsolete packaging inventory.

7. Manage plant packaging stock rotation and report on approaching overage stock

8. Improve material flow and throughput through lean enterprise activities.

9. Assist in the tracking and reporting of receiving and shipping data, explaining any variances.

10. Resolve problems concerning over shipments, shortages, and cancellations of orders.

11. Leverage relationships to hold suppliers accountable to perform to company requirements.

12. Interface with internal company support staff and suppliers on a continuous basis.

13. Measure and manage supplier performance for quality, cost and delivery.

14. Manage NPI purchasing on all packaging items.

15. Coordinate cross-functional activities with Quality Support, Manufacturing, Maintenance, Receiving/Shipping and Supply Management to ensure a smooth flow of materials through the production process.

16. Apply continuous improvement techniques and methods to internal processes and systems to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

17. Perform various tasks and projects as assigned.

18. Maintain master data for materials planning for the plant packaging SKU’s.

19. Department vacation coverage for the planning department

Challenges

1. Ability to multi-task proactively and re-prioritize on a daily basis to accommodate the changing business requirements.

2. Ability to organize and manage time effectively

3. Ability to make quick decisions while collaboratively analyzing and pinpointing problems.

4. Strategically influencing to gain support for desired process changes.

Scope

Responsible for the efficient material management of the site’s 284 packaging materials in a pro-active unionized manufacturing environment with an annual material spend of over $205 MM supporting the site’s 163 million annual production pounds.

Skills and Competencies

1. Technical Competence

• SAP (Planning, Production, and Warehouse transactions)

• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP

• InterSpec

• Superior proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Access)

• Shipping Order System

• Defective Materials Reporting (DMR) System

• Lean Manufacturing and Lean Supply Chain Techniques

2. Planning

• Utilization of the available resource tools (SAP, InterSpec, and internal departmental tools) in formulating executable material plans.

• Coordinate with other departments in achieving inventory and production plans.

• Plan flexibility to adapt to the necessary changes in executing the business plan.

• Strong planning, scheduling and negotiating skills.

3. Internal Communication

• Clear and effective oral and written communication with internal and external team members on the procurement, delivery, usage, and consumption of inventory items.

• Foster cooperation and consensus among team members.

• Effective interpersonal communication

4. Problem Solving and Decisive Decision Making

• Recognize and define operational problems

• Analyze relevant information

• Encourage alternative solutions and plans to solve problems

• Takes action and risk when needed

• Makes difficult decisions when necessary

• Use of creative thinking in developing solutions

5. Self-Direction/Managing Yourself

• Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to build ones “skill set suitcase”.

• Works persistently towards a goal

• Invests in ones self towards self-development

• Manages own time efficiently

• Demonstrates self confidence

• Build trust among department team

• Develop effective work processes

6. Change Management

• Seeks alternative means

• Leading change in implementing a “better way”

• Managing resistance to change in communicating and “selling”

• Use of persuasion in dealing with others to achieve goals

7. Knowledge

• 3 to 5 years demonstrated material planning experience with Enterprise Resource Planning systems (SAP) in a manufacturing facility.

• Lean Management and Lean Supply Chain Techniques

• Bachelor Degree in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain Management or related field required.

Unilever offers a competitive compensation package which includes:  Medical & Dental Plans, Life Insurance, including spouse & children, Health Care Flexible Spending, Dependent Care, Retirement & Savings Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Vacation and Holidays.

Visit our website at www.unileverusa-careers.com or to apply now, click on the link below.

https://recruitment.unileverservices.com//MAIN/careerportal/job_profile.cfm?szOrderID=19164

Unilever is an equal opportunity employer.  It prohibits discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-employment drug-screening results and background investigation.