The Material Planner will work closely with Production, Warehouse, Receiving, Quality, and Packaging to stay ahead of material needs and address potential issues before they impact production. Success requires someone who is proactive, organized, responsive with suppliers, and able to identify potential shortages early while maintaining strong communication across the plant.

MATERIAL PLANNER

Salary Range: $68,000–$72,000 annually
Location: Mishawaka, Indiana | Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM EST | 100% On-site

Position Summary

The Material Planner is responsible for ensuring the manufacturing plant has the raw materials, ingredients, and packaging needed to support daily production. This position works with established suppliers to place orders, monitor deliveries, follow up on shortages, and maintain appropriate material availability.

The Material Planner will work closely with Production, Warehouse, Receiving, Quality, and Packaging to stay ahead of material needs and address potential issues before they impact production.

Key Responsibilities

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• Review current and upcoming production demand to determine raw material, ingredient, and packaging needs.

  
  
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• Place orders with established suppliers to maintain appropriate material availability and keep production running.

  
  
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• Review inventory levels, safety stock, usage, shortages, excess inventory, and materials at risk of expiration.

  
  
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• Use inventory and cycle count information provided by plant teams to identify upcoming purchasing needs.

  
  
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• Maintain accurate material and delivery schedules and ensure current demand is reflected within the planning system.

  
  
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• Follow up with suppliers regarding open orders, delivery dates, shortages, lead times, and late or at-risk shipments.

  
  
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• Confirm upcoming deliveries and communicate potential material shortages or delays before they impact production.

  
  
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• Participate in daily plant meetings and provide updates regarding materials, inventory, suppliers, and deliveries.

  
  
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• Coordinate with Receiving and Warehouse regarding incoming materials and urgent production needs.

  
  
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• Support FIFO practices and help identify excess, obsolete, slow-moving, or expiring materials.

  
  
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• Maintain regular communication with Production, Warehouse, Receiving, Quality, and Packaging teams.

  
  
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• Respond quickly to changing production requirements and help resolve material-related roadblocks.

  
  
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Qualifications

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• Previous experience in material planning, purchasing, inventory, supply chain, or a manufacturing environment preferred.

  
  
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• Experience working with ERP, MRP, inventory management, or Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) preferred.

  
  
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• Comfortable communicating with multiple suppliers and managing open orders and delivery schedules.

  
  
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• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage changing priorities.

  
  
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• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

  
  
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• Detail-oriented with strong follow-up and problem-solving abilities.

  
  
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• Comfortable working cross-functionally within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

  
  
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What Success Looks Like

The Material Planner keeps production supplied with the right ingredients, raw materials, and packaging at the right time. Success requires someone who is proactive, organized, responsive with suppliers, and able to identify potential shortages early while maintaining strong communication across the plant.

#INSEP2026

Click here to apply online