Material Planner

McCormick Canada continues its long track record of growth and is a respected leader in the spice, seasoning, flavouring and specialty food industry. Our consumer products division serves retail grocery customers and emerging channels with Club House, Billy Bee and McCormick products, while our Custom Flavour Solutions division serves food service distributors and other respected food manufacturers across Canada. McCormick Canada is part of the world leader in spice and seasonings, McCormick & Company Inc.

The Power of People is one of our five pillars. It has been the foundation for McCormick's success for decades. There is something inspiring about working at McCormick. We have created an unusually dedicated workforce by fostering a culture of respect, recognition, inclusion and collaboration based on the highest ethical values. Without our employees, our success is not possible. Our commitment to our customers, our consumers and our employees is unsurpassed.

**Position Overview**:
Prepare and execute cost effective material plans from approved supplier list, order materials in accordance with manufacturing and sales requirements. Ensure master data parameters are regularly reviewed and maintained in accordance with lead times and systems requirements. Manage material supply and stocks to meet customer service and inventory targets within agreed cost constraints. Initiate and co-ordinate action plans to manage materials shortages. Propose and evaluate continuous improvements and cost reduction initiatives. Manage through component transitions in a manner that prevents material obsolescence. Manage and monitor material delivery to plant.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Under the supervision of the Team Manager - Material Planning, the Material Planner I is responsible for the timely delivery of incoming production material and effectively controls inventory in relation to cost and quantity while supporting the needs of a high performing manufacturing facility.
- The Material Planner I meets and/or exceeds product availability expectations and assists in achieving operational KPI’s (such as the reduction of inventory dollars and volume, continuous improvement initiatives and process improvements within Material Planning). In addition, the Material Planner I must work cross-functionally with various teams to meet departmental objectives. The Material Planner I will also manage, develop and maintain relationships with internal and external suppliers.
- Purchases general and specialized materials based on MRP requirements for furthering processing and customer service.
- Monitor material through system functions and update required cross functional teams as needed until delivery.
- Analyzes material requirements and specifications (master data) to ensure appropriate safety stock, lot sizes, MOQs and lead times are established and monitored to achieve objectives.
- Proactively identifies and communicates potential supply chain disruptions and works with cross-functional team to resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.
- Works with logistic services to coordinate deliveries, monitor progress and contact suppliers to resolve any problems.
- Expedites any materials that may be needed.
- Manages supplier relationships, provides requirements, and effectively document issues for resolution to ensure all standards for quality and service are met.
- Works with the plant to ensure raw materials and/or packaging meets expectations and provides a conduit of information between the suppliers and the plant.
- Provides solutions in reconciling ERP (SAP) system errors, inventory discrepancies, shipping / receiving errors, and other items as needed by the Materials Team.
- Works with Corporate Purchasing by providing material requirements to improve the flow of incoming materials and helps optimize buying power.
- Helps develop action plans and manage specific materials projects to improve key metrics, including zero usage.
- Provides input for root cause analysis when required for material concerns.
- Develops and ensures all functional procedures and best practices are documented and continually improved upon within the Materials Planning function. Train employees as required.
- Actively promotes safety, participates in continuous improvement initiatives and engages in required processes and projects.

**Required Qualifications**:

- Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Supply Chain or related field
- APICS certification preferred.
- Minimum of 1-3 years work experience in a planning or purchasing role, specifically within materials / inventory management
- Past exposure to planning using MRP and other systems (SAP preferred)
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally in a professional and clear manner
- Highly organized and methodical to establish priorities, detailed processes, meet deadlines etc. with excellent attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy in all work
- Must possess an appropriate lev