OutSource Material Planner - EMS/Contract

Position Summary

Responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing all materials and components required for outsourced/subcontracted production processes. Ensures timely material availability, optimal inventory levels, and cost-effective sourcing to support production schedules and customer delivery commitments.

Key Responsibilities

Material Planning & Requirements

• Analyze production schedules and customer forecasts to determine outsourced material requirements.
• Generate and maintain Material Requirements Planning (MRP) for all subcontracted components and sub-assemblies.
• Convert production orders into purchase requisitions for outsourced materials.
• Monitor Bill of Materials (BOM) changes and adjust material plans accordingly.
• Coordinate with Engineering and Program Management on new product introduction (NPI) material readiness.

Supplier / Subcontractor Management

• Identify, evaluate, and qualify subcontractors and outsourcing partners for specific materials or processes.
• Issue Purchase Orders (POs) to subcontractors and track order acknowledgement and confirmation.
• Monitor subcontractor production progress and delivery performance against commitments.
• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews (quality, delivery, cost, responsiveness).
• Collaborate with SQE (Supplier Quality Engineering) on material quality issues and corrective actions.

Inventory & Cost Control

• Maintain optimal inventory levels for outsourced materials to balance availability and carrying cost.
• Monitor and reduce excess, obsolete, and slow-moving (E&O) inventory.
• Track and report material variance, scrap, and yield losses at subcontractor sites.
• Negotiate or support negotiation of material pricing, payment terms, and delivery schedules with subcontractors.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities through alternative sourcing, consolidation, or process optimization.

Logistics & Delivery Coordination

• Coordinate inbound logistics for subcontracted materials — shipping schedules, freight terms, and customs documentation.
• Track in-transit shipments and proactively manage potential delays.
• Ensure proper receiving, inspection, and warehouse handoff of subcontracted materials.
• Manage consignment inventory and vendor-managed inventory (VMI) programs where applicable.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Production Planning to align material availability with factory build schedules.
• Coordinate with Customer Service / Program Management on delivery commitments and schedule changes.
• Partner with Quality Assurance on incoming material inspection and non-conformance management.
• Liaise with Finance on invoice reconciliation, payment disputes, and material cost reporting.

Data, Reporting & Compliance

• Maintain accurate material master data, supplier records, and lead-time parameters in ERP system.
• Generate regular reports on material status, shortage lists, aging POs, and inventory turns.
• Ensure compliance with company procurement policies, trade regulations, and customer-specific requirements.
• Support internal and external audits related to outsourced material processes.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 1-2 years of material planning or procurement experience in a contract manufacturing or EMS environment.
• Hands-on experience working with subcontractors and outsourced production processes.

Technical Skills

• Proficient in ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite)
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, macros a plus)
• Familiarity with inventory management metrics (turns, DIO, E&O)
• Understanding of manufacturing processes, BOM structures, and routing concepts

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent negotiation and supplier management abilities
• Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Material availability / line-down incidents due to material shortage
• Subcontractor on-time delivery (OTD) rate
• Inventory turns and days inventory outstanding (DIO) for outsourced materials
• E&O inventory percentage
• Material cost variance vs. budget