Supplier and Production Planning Manager

Job Title: Supplier and Production Planning Manager – ZERUST – Circle Pines, Minnesota
Department: Operations
Location: Circle Pines, MN
Travel: 20%
Job Type: Full-time

Job Description:

The Supplier and Production Planning Manager is responsible for the on-time delivery and planning for the fulfillment of ZERUST poly products while ensuring clear visibility and proactive communication of customer order status across the entire order lifecycle. This role combines hands-on new supplier onboarding, supplier management and production planning with cross-functional coordination, reporting, and process improvements.

The manager will act as the central link between Sales, Customer Service, Procurement, R&D, Manufacturing, Logistics, and Quality Control, ensuring smooth on-time delivery, cost competitiveness, and streamlined communication to support customer satisfaction and business growth.

Roles and Responsibilities:

A. Production Planning & Fulfillment

• Work directly with suppliers and production planning to ensure orders are prioritized according to customer requirements.
• Follow up with suppliers and ensure timely production and delivery.
• Work closely with Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) and Sales on custom product orders.
• Follow up with suppliers to proactively address and resolve production or shipping delays.
• Provide Sales and CSRs with accurate updates on production timelines and customer delivery schedules.
• Coordinate with Quality Control (QC) on approvals and product quality requirements.
• Ensure seamless execution from production planning through delivery to customers.

B. Strategic Production Control and Supply Management

• Work closely with procurement teams to ensure supplier commitments are aligned with customer delivery requirements.
• Support Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers, converters, and contractors in partnership with R&D.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to improve responsiveness and performance.
• Drive continual cost-of-goods-sold (COGS) reduction initiatives with strategic suppliers.
• Create and manage Key Process Indicators (KPI’s) supporting customer delivery and satisfaction
• Monitor in-house production and supplier performance, including on-time delivery metrics and service levels, and drive accountability where needed.
• Identify root causes of late deliveries and lead cross-functional corrective actions.
• Align insourced production plans with supplier lead times, raw material availability, and capacity constraints.

Qualifications and Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, Engineering, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (SAP S/4HANA preferred)
• 5+ years of relevant experience in production planning, sourcing, supply chain management, or order management.
• Strong negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional processes and deliver measurable improvements.
• Experience developing reporting tools, dashboards, and KPIs; proficiency with ERP (SAP preferred) and CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce).
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Must have reliable transportation to visit suppliers when necessary.

ISO

Every employee is expected to support the NTIC Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with our Quality System Manual and Quality Control Procedures.  This position is responsible to set, follow and maintain the QMS and related Quality Control Procedures. This position also has change authority over their processes.

 

Interested candidates should send cover letter and resume via email to jobs@ntic.com or fax to 763-225-6645. No telephone calls, recruiters, or agencies please.