Central Planner

Position Summary 

The Central Planner is responsible for the order‑to‑delivery phase of the purchasing process for parts supplied by assigned suppliers across all production facilities. This role manages the supply chain end‑to‑end, resolving exceptions, and ensuring accurate and consistent material supply aligned with production requirements. The position is highly cross‑functional and collaborates closely with sourcing, logistics, plant operations, and third‑party logistics partners. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across diverse people and functions. 
• Confident decision‑making aligned with business priorities, enabling cross‑functional teams. 
• Minimum of two years of experience in purchasing, logistics, or relevant supply‑chain roles. 
• Knowledge of International Trade Compliance rules and practices. 
• Strong and fast decision‑making skills. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently in a fast‑paced environment. 
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including intercultural communication. 
• Proficiency with PC tools, including Microsoft Office, while managing multiple tasks. 
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail. 
• Ability to synthesize large amounts of data quickly and remain calm under pressure. 
• Five‑year college degree strongly preferred; relevant experience considered. 
• Advanced/business‑level English. 

Required Qualifications 

• Experience supporting purchasing, planning, or logistics processes in manufacturing environments. 
• Ability to analyze inventory and identify opportunities to improve turns, reduce excess, and prevent shortages. 
• Capability to resolve receiving issues (over/short, labeling, keying errors) with receiving teams and Accounts Payable. 
• Experience maintaining planning system records to ensure order frequency, size, and timing match production needs. 
• Ability to work with suppliers on schedule changes and communicate risk or opportunity to business units. 
• Experience collaborating with Purchasing and NPI teams on new supplier or new‑part integration. 
• Ability to coordinate the disposition of inactive, excess, or obsolete inventory with cross‑functional teams. 

Position Overview 

The Central Planner performs multi‑site planning of manufacturing requirements and makes rapid, accurate decisions to prioritize and expedite needed parts across domestic and global networks. Key responsibilities include managing supplier relationships, analyzing inventory performance, and driving lean and continuous‑improvement principles throughout the supply chain. 

Additional duties include managing delays, shortages, and shipment issues; partnering with suppliers, carriers, and logistics teams to expedite deliveries; and maintaining accurate planning records. The role supports new‑part launches, prepares recovery plans for expedited materials, and contributes to special projects as needed. The Central Planner also serves as a subject matter expert, guiding cross‑functional teams on best practices.