Raw Material Planning Specialist

Raw Material Planning Specialist

Full Time Greenville, NC, US

4 days ago Requisition

The Raw Material Planning Specialist supports the day-to-day execution of raw material planning activities at the North Carolina manufacturing facility, helping ensure that raw materials (glass, EVA/POE encapsulant, backsheet, junction boxes, ribbon/wire, frames, solar cells, packaging materials, etc.) are available on time to support uninterrupted production. Reporting to the Raw Material Planning Manager, this role executes the MRP process, maintains accurate planning and inventory data in the ERP/SAP system, tracks purchase orders and supplier deliveries, and coordinates closely with procurement, production planning, and warehouse teams to identify and resolve material risks before they impact the production line.

• Run the MRP process in the ERP/SAP system on a regular cycle, translating the production schedule and master production schedule (MPS) into raw material requirements and purchase requisitions.
• Monitor material requirement plans against actual production consumption, and flag variances, shortages, or excess inventory to the Raw Material Planning Manager in a timely manner.
• Maintain and update raw material master data (BOM, lead times, min/max levels, safety stock, lot sizes) to keep planning outputs accurate and reliable.
• Track key planning metrics (material availability, forecast accuracy, inventory turns, on-time-in-full delivery) and prepare regular status reports.

• Convert approved material requirements into purchase requisitions/orders in coordination with the procurement team, and follow up on order confirmation and shipment status.
• Track inbound shipments from domestic and overseas suppliers, proactively communicate delivery updates, and elevate potential delays that could affect the production line.
• Support coordination with the domestic (China) control tower and key raw material suppliers on order status, lead-time changes, and logistics or customs issues.
• Assist with maintaining supplier delivery performance records (on-time delivery, order accuracy) to support supplier reviews.

• Partner with the warehouse team to confirm accurate receiving, storage, and issuance of raw materials to production, and to keep system inventory records aligned with physical stock.
• Participate in regular cycle counts and inventory reconciliation for raw materials, and help investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Help identify slow-moving, excess, or obsolete raw material inventory and support disposition planning.

• Act as a day-to-day point of contact for raw material availability questions from production, procurement, and warehouse teams.
• Support S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning) preparation by compiling material availability data and planning reports.
• Assist with projects such as new material/supplier onboarding, new product introduction (NPI) ramp-up planning, and ERP/MRP process improvements.
• Identify opportunities to improve planning accuracy, data quality, and process efficiency, and elevate recommendations to the Raw Material Planning Manager.

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 1-3 years of experience in material planning, purchasing/procurement support, production planning, or inventory control, ideally within a manufacturing environment (solar/PV, electronics, or related industries preferred).
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (SAP preferred) for material planning, purchase requisitions, and master data entry.
• Strong Excel skills (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUP) and comfort working with data to track plans, orders, and inventory.
• Basic understanding of BOM structures, lead times, and inventory control concepts, or strong willingness to learn.
• Good communication and organizational skills, with the ability to coordinate across procurement, production, and warehouse teams.
• Detail-oriented, proactive, and able to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to work on-site at the North Carolina manufacturing facility.