Planner/Purchasing Agent

Production Planner Responsible for planning and scheduling production activities while managing the procurement of raw materials, components, and services required for the ITW ECS business units. This role ensures that production schedules, material availability, and supplier performance align to meet customer demand, maintain optimal inventory levels, and support overall operational efficiency. Key Responsibilities Production Planning & Scheduling Develop, maintain, and adjust production schedules based on customer demand, forecasts, and capacity constraints. Coordinate daily production planning activities with operations, ensuring labor, equipment, and materials are properly allocated. Monitor work-in-process and finished goods levels to ensure on-time order completion. Communicate schedule changes or risks to operations, customer service, and leadership. Material Planning & Inventory Management Maintain accurate material requirements planning (MRP) within the ERP system. Ensure adequate inventory levels are maintained to meet production schedules while minimizing excess or obsolete stock. Conduct root-cause analysis on shortages, delays, or inventory inaccuracies and implement corrective actions. Track safety stock levels and update planning parameters as needed. Purchasing & Supplier Management Source, select, and purchase raw materials, components, and indirect supplies in alignment with production needs. Manage supplier relationships and monitor vendor performance. Track and publish critical supply chain metrics, including customer and supplier on-time delivery. Follow up on open purchase orders, expedite materials when needed, and resolve delivery or quality issues. Maintain accurate vendor records and purchasing data in the ERP system. Capacity & Resource Planning Analyze production capacity, equipment constraints, and labor availability to ensure feasible schedules. Recommend adjustments to staffing levels, shift schedules, or outsourcing when required to meet demand. Partner with engineering on new products, engineering changes, and phase-outs. Cross-Functional Collaboration Coordinate with procurement, operations, engineering, customer service, and quality to maintain smooth production flow. Communicate proactively regarding material constraints, schedule risks, and priority changes. Support S&OP processes by providing data on capacity, demand, inventory, and supplier performance. Continuous Improvement Implement Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement initiatives to enhance material flow and scheduling accuracy. Improve planning tools, part parameters, and forecasting methods. Participate in cost-reduction efforts through sourcing, inventory optimization, and process efficiencies. Minimum Required Skills and Education High School Diploma required 3 years of experience in production planning, materials management, or purchasing in a manufacturing environment. Prior experience with ERP/MRP systems Strong analytical and organizational skills Proficiency with Excel and planning tools Knowledge of manufacturing processes, capacity planning, and inventory control principles. Ability to speak, read, and write in English Preferred Skills and Education Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business or related field Experience with Epicor ERP preferred This is a full-time onsite position in Bartlett, IL. $30-$32 per hour, depending on experience

Created: 2026-03-11