Associate Product Planner

Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. What does that mean? Well, we pump peanut butter into your jar, and the oil in your car. We glue the soles of your shoes, the glass in your windows and the screen on your phone. We spray the finish on your vehicle, coatings on your pills, the paint on your house and texture on your walls. Graco is part of your daily life.

Graco has excellent opportunities available to individuals who want to be part of fast-moving, growing company – especially candidates committed to quality, innovation and solving customer problems. Graco was proud to be named a Best Place to Work in Manufacturing and Production by Fortune Magazine in 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2021.

Job Purpose

To forecast, plan, and schedule assigned products to meet customer needs in the most timely and efficient manner. Meet customer service level objectives and planned inventory objectives.

Essential Duties

Forecasting

• Ensure forecasting system is maintained and daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance is performed and exceptions are analyzed. Forecasts adjusted as required and driving the correct requirements to meet demand.
• Ensure GAINS system is maintained and that all exceptions are analyzed. Perform supply and demand analysis and incorporate it into the forecast. Generate reports and make adjustments if necessary.
• Communicate with marketing to refine and improve data to accurately forecast product

Planning

• Plan all purchased and manufactured parts utilizing the best ordering approach. EOQ, min/max, fixed days, Kanban, MRP, etc.
• Ensure accurate planning parameters are set in planning systems - GAINS, Oracle.
• Schedule manufacturing orders and ensure customer requirements are met.
• Give work direction and prioritize schedules on the shop floor.
• Communicate with customer service to align priorities to meet customer requirements.
• Keep management proactively informed of manufacturing challenges and issues (capacity, machine downtime, and fluctuations in resources).

Purchasing

• Plan and execute the flow of externally procured material from the supplier into the factory for assigned products ensuring inventory optimization and flow of material.
• Ensure planning information is communicated with suppliers in a timely manner. Phase-out, delivery changes, etc.
• Proactively communicate supply shortages to appropriate personnel.
• Follow up with suppliers as necessary, to resolve delivery problems, cost changes, or quality issues.

Inventory

• Manage inventory to ensure cell objectives are met and in line with company objectives.
• Manage surplus and obsolete inventory and actively disposition inventory if required.
• Manage assigned product to meet customer service and inventory plans.

Reporting

• Report on areas such as inventory and service levels.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education/Experience

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, or related field is preferred or 4 years of proven planning experience working in manufacturing and/or distribution environment.
• Registered and working towards APICS CPIM certification if Bachelor’s degree is not in Logistics and Supply Chain Planning field
• Plan in place to enroll in Operations Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, or related field and willing to complete Bachelor’s degree

Required Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

• MRP/ERP system knowledge
• Competent PC skills.
• Knowledge of Supply Chain and lean manufacturing concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Good written and verbal communication skills

Desired

• Oracle experience

Proven Quality. Leading Technology. Launch your career with Graco!

Graco offers attractive compensation, benefits and opportunities for both professional development and career progression. Graco’s comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, stock purchase plan, 401(k) and tuition reimbursement.

Our expectations are high. That's why we are always looking to hire the brightest and the best!