How to hire a materials planner

How to hire a materials planner, step by step

Here's a step-by-step materials planner hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a materials planner job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new materials planner
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a materials planner do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the materials planner you need to hire. Certain materials planner roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A materials planner's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, materials planners from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of materials planners and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Materials Planner	Description	Hourly rate
   Materials Planner	Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.	$21-35
   Inventory Control Coordinator	An inventory control coordinator is responsible for monitoring the adequacy of office inventory to ensure that the company has enough supplies to support the employees' needs for business operations. Inventory control coordinators manage supply chain systems, conduct inventory checks regularly, write inventory reports, create purchase requests, and file inventory documents on the database... Show more	$13-22
   Expeditor	The role of expeditors is to ensure the timely and efficient preparation and delivery of food. To accomplish this task, they also perform other duties, including managing inventory levels, managing supply requisition, and coordinating with subcontractors... Show more	$13-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Supply Chain
   • MRP
   • Purchase Orders
   • Logistics
   • Customer Service
   • Material Planning
   • Continuous Improvement
   • ERP
   • Production Schedules
   • Inventory Control
   • Lean Manufacturing
   • On-Time Delivery
   • Part Numbers
   • Corrective Action

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Develop and implement purchasing and contract management, policies and procedures and manage ISO documents and improvements.
   • Determine material and component requirements base on the MRP system and ensure availability to support production schedules.
   • Monitor MRP forecasts, inventory, customer demand, production requirements, inventory transactions and reject material.
   • Create and maintain MRP classification codes in addition to reviewing BOM accuracy to ensure correct component identification, ordering and release.
   • Maintain and setup supplier pull systems (KANBAN).
   • Key team member in planning, training, implementation, and support of a new ERP system.

   More materials planner duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your materials planner job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A materials planner salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, materials planners' average salary in wyoming is 46% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level materials planners earn 39% less than senior-level materials planners.
   • Certifications. A materials planner with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a materials planner's salary.

   Average materials planner salary

   $58,467yearly

   $28.11 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level materials planner salary

   $45,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

   Average materials planner salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$79,548	$38
   2	Virginia	$69,425	$33
   3	Maryland	$69,351	$33
   4	Arizona	$69,018	$33
   5	Nevada	$66,555	$32
   6	North Carolina	$65,131	$31
   7	Minnesota	$64,431	$31
   8	South Carolina	$62,817	$30
   9	Colorado	$61,819	$30
   10	Texas	$61,459	$30
   11	Georgia	$61,371	$30
   12	Illinois	$61,038	$29
   13	Michigan	$60,868	$29
   14	Ohio	$60,792	$29
   15	Pennsylvania	$60,463	$29
   16	Missouri	$59,887	$29
   17	Indiana	$59,714	$29
   18	Tennessee	$58,735	$28
   19	New York	$57,751	$28
   20	Wisconsin	$57,093	$27

   Average materials planner salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$103,601	$49.81	9
   2	Wabtec Corporation	$94,872	$45.61	5
   3	Rivian	$92,054	$44.26
   4	Lam Research	$90,421	$43.47	1
   5	Autocar Truck	$90,010	$43.27
   6	Stepan	$89,781	$43.16
   7	Nikola Motor	$88,656	$42.62
   8	Navistar	$87,639	$42.13
   9	Tesla	$86,783	$41.72	4
   10	Cirrus Logic	$85,920	$41.31
   11	Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC	$82,925	$39.87
   12	Gardner Denver	$78,576	$37.78	4
   13	Axalta	$78,363	$37.67
   14	International Trucks	$76,550	$36.80
   15	Bloom Energy	$76,305	$36.69	1
   16	Oshkosh	$74,570	$35.85	10
   17	Commercial Vehicle Group	$74,147	$35.65	2
   18	Baker Hughes	$73,987	$35.57	2
   19	Eaton	$72,691	$34.95	24
   20	Millennium Software and Staffing	$71,470	$34.36

4. Writing a materials planner job description

   A good materials planner job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a materials planner job description:

   Materials planner job description example

   As a member of the materials management team, this role is responsible for the purchasing, inventory, and other process controls of direct and indirect raw materials as well as finished goods.
   Key Responsibilities
   Analyze inventory parameters and facilitate discussions of inventory practices and opportunities for improvement.Coordinates products and materials through various production phases interfacing with appropriate departments such as production, sourcing, quality assurance and warehouse as needed.May diagnose and correct production line issues.Monitors inventory levels of product on order, in transit, received, in stock, and/or in production.Collaborate with supply chain, sales and customer service representatives to maintain inventory levels per demand and transition of parts Manage purchase orders and due dates to ensure supply continuity for indirect/direct materials.Verifies and determines proper inventory levels, perform cycle count and reconcile discrepancies.May collect information and create reports as needed.May fill in for, assist, or interface with other plant support functions including, but not limited to, accounts payable, accounts receivable, customer service/order entry, proofreading orders, scheduling, shipping, receiving, ordering supplies, and receiving visitors.Performs other duties as assigned.
   Education and Experience
   High School Diploma or equivalent. Bachelor's degree preferred.Experience required dependent on level of education.
   Knowledge and Skills
   Possesses a solid understanding of plant manufacturing operations Experience with demand-driven planning Strong understanding of supply chain and inventory management concepts., and ability to apply into practice Solid systems background and analytical skills Demonstrates ability to work collaboratively with others as part of a team and to work effectively independently Possesses strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and problem-solving skills Takes initiative and demonstrates the ability to lead Possesses excellent time management, planning, and prioritization skills Strong organizational, computer and communication skills.Ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
   40
   
   EEO Statement:
   htps://www.greif.com/uploads/media/default/0001/03/230497a078bec89c55df07d1d04e7f6db5ac6122.pdf
   
   We offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits and opportunity for growth. Greif, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, gender, religion, age, national origin, color, disability, or veteran status. EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran. For more information read Greif's Equal Opportunity Policy.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find materials planners for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your materials planner job on Zippia to find and recruit materials planner candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit materials planners, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new materials planner

   Once you've selected the best materials planner candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new materials planner first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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