Material Planner

Company Description

THE COMPANY

Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist that develops and produces sustainable, safe and convenient solutions for automotive manufacturers as well as industrial and end customers worldwide. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €39.7 billion in 2024 and currently employs around 95,000 people in 54 countries and markets.

ContiTech is one of the world’s leading industry specialists. The Continental group sector offers its customers connected, environment-friendly, safe and convenient industry and service solutions using a range of materials for off-highway applications, on rails and roads, in the air, under and above the ground, in industrial environments, for the food sector and the furniture industry. With about 39,000 employees in more than 40 countries and sales of some 6.4 billion euros (2024), the global industrial partner is active with core branches in Asia, Europe and North and South America.

Are you ready to shape the future with us?

Job Description

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Material Planner to join our operations team in Halstead. In this role, you will be responsible for managing material flow, coordinating with production schedulers, and optimizing inventory levels to ensure seamless manufacturing operations. You will work collaboratively with production, procurement, and supply chain teams to forecast demand, plan material requirements, and maintain efficient production workflows.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review raw material requirements daily through the MRP system and identify upcoming material needs.

• Develop and maintain accurate material plans based on demand, inventory levels, lead times, and production requirements.

• Support material forecasting and budget preparation by analyzing historical usage, current demand, inventory requirements, and anticipated material needs.

• Monitor material availability and proactively identify potential shortages, delays, or supply constraints.

• Communicate with vendors and internal teams to confirm material availability and delivery dates.

• Partner with the Purchasing team to process purchase requests for production materials and support the Halstead team with non-production material requests.

• Coordinate closely with Production Scheduling to ensure material requirements are understood and changes in demand or supply are communicated.

• Analyze inventory levels, historical usage, and demand trends to support appropriate material requirements and minimize excess inventory.

• Utilize ERP/MRP systems to monitor material requirements, track inventory, maintain accurate records, and generate planning reports.

• Support cycle counts, annual physical inventory, and ongoing inventory accuracy initiatives.

• Investigate and help resolve material shortages, discrepancies, and supply issues that could impact production.

• Prepare and maintain reports related to inventory levels, material requirements, supplier performance, and planning accuracy.

• Identify opportunities to improve material planning processes, inventory management, and overall supply chain efficiency.

• Collaborate with Production, Purchasing, Warehouse, Quality, and other internal teams to support the timely and efficient flow of materials.

Qualifications

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE ROLE

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.

• 2–3 years of experience in material planning, production planning, inventory management, procurement, or supply chain operations preferred.

• Proficiency with ERP systems (such as SAP, Oracle, or similar platforms) and MRP software

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data sets

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reporting

• Solid understanding of production processes, lead times, and inventory management principles

• Experience with demand forecasting and inventory optimization techniques

• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to coordinate effectively across departments

• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in planning and data management

• Legal authorization to work in the United States is required.

Additional Ways to Stand Out

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, Logistics, or a related field.

• Proficiency with SAP

• Experience in a manufacturing environment

• Familiarity with supply chain coordination and procurement processes

• Experience with forecasting tools or demand planning software

Additional Information

THE PERKS:

• Immediate Benefits

• Paid Time Off

• Tuition Assistance

• Employee Discounts

• Competitive Bonus Programs

• Employees 401k Match

• Employee Assistance Program

• Future Growth Opportunities, including personal and professional.

• And many more benefits that come with working for a global industry leader!

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Continental offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to unlawful consideration to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. In addition, as a federal contractor, Continental complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals with a disability and protected veterans, where they apply. To be considered, you must apply for a specific position for which Continental has a current posted job opening. Qualifying applications will be considered only for the specific opening(s) to which you apply. If you would like to be considered for additional or future job openings, we encourage you to reapply for other opportunities as they become available. Further, Continental provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance in the application process, please reply to [email protected] or contact US Recruiting at 800-821-2727. This telephone line and email address are reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Please do not call about the status of your job application, if you do not require accessibility assistance or an accommodation. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or non-disability related technical issues, will not receive a call back.