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. Product Planner I - Associate 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 Position Requirements Education/Experience 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 Power to Be At Graco, the Power to Be means providing the support, resources and freedom to pave your own way. Bring your unique attributes to the table, along with a commitment to being your best self, and you can be a part of a culture that rewards effort, celebrates uniqueness, and gives you the tools you need to succeed and become your best, fullest self along the way. Our culture empowers employees to chart their own career path. Our managers provide support and opportunities while offering freedom for employees to find their own Power to Be. Whether you decide to move up within the same department or expand to another cross-functional group, you will gain the well-rounded experience to succeed on your own terms. Graco has excellent opportunities available to individuals who want to be part of a fast-moving, growing company that is committed to quality, innovation and solving fluid handling problems for our customers. Graco is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by Fortune Magazine in 2016, 2018, 2019 & 2021. Graco offers attractive compensation, benefits and career development opportunities. Graco’s comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, stock purchase plan, 401(k), tuition reimbursement and more. Proven Quality. Leading Technology. Launch your career with Graco! Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. We employ approximately 3,700 people worldwide and serve thousands of customers in over 100 countries.