About this opportunity
Aston Carter lists this Materials Planner opportunity in princeton, Illinois. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Materials PlannerThe Materials Planner plans and schedules the delivery of indirect and MRO materials from suppliers to support reliable manufacturing operations. This role monitors material flow, maintains appropriate inventory and safety stock levels, and helps prevent material shortages and production downtime. The Materials Planner collaborates closely with suppliers, production, quality, accounting, and other internal stakeholders to support customer service, inventory, and cost objectives while driving continuous improvement in supply chain performance.ResponsibilitiesProcure indirect and MRO materials in a timely and cost-conscious manner to support production needs.Review purchase requisitions to confirm quantities, specifications, and delivery requirements before placing orders.Select appropriate suppliers from the approved supplier list to support scheduled plant deliveries.Assist with onboarding new suppliers and maintain accurate and up-to-date supplier information.Maintain appropriate inventory levels and safety stock for assigned materials to balance availability and cost.Monitor open requirements, supplier performance, and delivery schedules to ensure on-time supply.Expedite critical materials when necessary to prevent production disruptions and downtime.Proactively identify potential material shortages and support root-cause analysis and corrective actions.Communicate forecasts, replenishment plans, and delivery priorities clearly and regularly to suppliers.Partner with production planners when materials cannot be delivered as scheduled to adjust plans and minimize impact.Work with Quality Assurance and suppliers to resolve material quality concerns and prevent recurrence.Resolve pricing and invoice discrepancies by coordinating with suppliers and accounting.Analyze materials for Kanban and supplier-replenishment opportunities to improve flow and reduce inventory.Evaluate material and capacity availability to support customer delivery commitments and production schedules.Maintain accurate item master data, including supplier information and material lead times, within ERP and related systems.Identify supplier cost-reduction, productivity, and cash-flow improvement opportunities.Maintain project pipelines and financial records related to productivity and cost-saving initiatives.Collaborate with internal departments to resolve delivery, pricing, quality, and material availability issues.Support continuous improvement efforts in inventory management, supplier performance, and materials planning processes.Essential SkillsExperience in planning, scheduling, production planning, or supply chain functions such as buying and purchasing.Understanding of inventory planning, material specifications, substitutions, and supplier capabilities.Familiarity with Kanban, Just-in-Time (JIT), Material Requirements Planning (MRP), inventory management, and lean manufacturing principles.Ability to identify material shortages, prioritize requirements, and resolve supply issues under time pressure.Strong written and verbal communication skills for effective interaction with suppliers and internal teams.Ability to build productive relationships with suppliers, production, quality, accounting, and other stakeholders.Strong customer-service orientation with a focus on supporting internal and external customer needs.Detail-oriented, organized, and self-motivated approach to managing materials and data.Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining high accuracy and accountability.Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.Basic mathematical and analytical skills to support inventory, cost, and supply analysis.Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including spreadsheets and documentation tools.Ability to learn and effectively use ERP and supplier-scheduling systems.Associate degree or at least two years of planner, buyer, supply chain, or related manufacturing experience.Additional Skills & QualificationsExperience with production planning, supplier scheduling, inventory management, operations, MRP, or lean manufacturing.Experience working in a job-shop manufacturing environment.Experience with ERP and visual management systems.Interest in developing skills in supply chain, materials planning, ERP systems, and manufacturing operations.Comfort working within a continuous improvement culture focused on efficiency, productivity, and operational excellence.Work EnvironmentThis role is fully onsite five days per week, Monday through Friday, with core hours of either 7:00 am to 4:00 pm or 6:00 am to 3:00 pm. The Materials Planner must be onsite by 7:30 am each morning to participate in a daily team meeting at 7:45 am. The position is based in a fast-paced manufacturing environment that requires close collaboration with suppliers, production, quality, operations, and other cross-functional teams. The culture is highly team-oriented and values open communication, accountability, and collaborative problem solving. The organization promotes a continuous improvement mindset with a strong focus on efficiency, productivity, and operational excellence. The workplace emphasizes safety and employee well-being as core values. The role offers the opportunity to work with established brands in security and access solutions and to make a direct impact on manufacturing operations, inventory performance, and customer satisfaction, within a stable organization that supports professional growth and development.Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Princeton, IL.Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $30.00 - $36.00/hr.Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 1, 2026.Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Princeton, IL.
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.