Post job
zippia ai icon

Automatically apply for jobs with Zippia

Upload your resume to get started.

Materials planner skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Materials planner example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical materials planner skills. We ranked the top skills for materials planners based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 11.9% of materials planner resumes contained supply chain as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a materials planner needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 materials planner skills for your resume and career

1. Supply Chain

A supply chain is a network or a sequence by which finished products of a company are distributed to retailers and then supplied to the end-users. The distribution of products and services from the production line to the final buyers is carried out in a series of steps including; manufacturing, transportation, and their distribution. The whole supply chain consists of different entities including; manufacturers, transportation, warehouses, suppliers, and retailers. The entities ensure that the products retain their originality while also minimizing the cost of delivery.

Here's how materials planners use supply chain:
  • Eliminated potential supply chain failures by identifying potential shortages, resolving problems and communicating directly with suppliers and the production floor.
  • Performed supply versus demand analysis on material components and data processing in Excel/Access to support supply chain health/continuity.

2. MRP

MRP is an abbreviation of Material Requirements Planning and refers to the control system which is implemented in the planning and management of the activities related to manufacturing. Through MRP, manufacturers can easily schedule the production and it can also be used for inventory. MRP systems are mostly software-based but the process can also be carried out manually.

Here's how materials planners use mrp:
  • Analyzed customer Material Requirements Planning (MRP) information to determine manufacturing material needs and build appropriate product pipelines.
  • Monitor MRP forecasts, inventory, customer demand, production requirements, inventory transactions and rejected material.

3. Purchase Orders

Here's how materials planners use purchase orders:
  • Reviewed actions recommended by computer data and issued modifications to purchase orders and/or manufacturing work orders, based upon rescheduling needs.
  • Managed the coordination of daily inventory transactions concerning the quality of material, receiving activities, and accounting related purchase orders.

4. Logistics

Logistics is a complete organization and implementation of a problem. Logistics are often considered in a complex business operation, as some works need detailed plannings. Logistics are also used in military action.

Here's how materials planners use logistics:
  • Purchased and coordinated all logistics involved with returning those borrowed components to their proper owners including necessary interdepartmental support.
  • Created and maintained logistics support programs and identified and resolved problems in customer return system prior to implementation.

5. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how materials planners use customer service:
  • Maintained optimal internal and external levels of customer service through participation in weekly Operations Planning meetings to determine production strategies.
  • Combined polished communication and interpersonal skills to deliver superlative customer service and attention in order to maximize retention and satisfaction.

6. Material Planning

Material Planning refers to the act of planning what materials may be needed for a particular project or for consumers. This is a form of inventory management so that consumers and developers are able to have access to the raw materials needed for a project or store inventory.

Here's how materials planners use material planning:
  • Utilized computer programs to interface production planning, material planning and inventory control to enhance production efficiency and lower inventory costs.
  • Provided assistance with other material planning responsibilities when necessary in order to maintain on-times shipments to the customer.

Choose from 10+ customizable materials planner resume templates

Build a professional materials planner resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your materials planner resume.

7. Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is an ongoing process of improvement of products, services, and processes with the help of innovative ideas. It is an organized approach that helps an organization to find its weaknesses and improve them.

Here's how materials planners use continuous improvement:
  • Identify and pursue continuous improvement initiatives in external material flow processes and systems, utilizing lean manufacturing tools including 6sigma.
  • Presented business unit metrics to upper management and participated in continuous improvement projects in cost reduction and process improvement.

8. ERP

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is computer software used by major corporations and organizations for conducting their management and accounting tasks efficiently. ERP systems bind different business processes with each other allowing smoother flow of data between them resulting in swift project assessment and completion.

Here's how materials planners use erp:
  • Review and analyze production schedules per customer needs and specifications for all offshore production schedules, develop ERP Flow for procurement.
  • Participated in transition team converting from legacy mainframe production control system to SAP 3.1 ERP (Oracle 8.0.6 RDBMS) system.

9. Production Schedules

The project plan of a film or a documentary that highlights how a production budget will be spent over a given period until its completion is called a production schedule. The scheduling process starts with writing and analyzing the script, which is then broken down to determine and allocate the budget for each scene. The production schedule also includes several elements of the film including; cast actors, special effects, wardrobe, special equipment, stunts, extras, silent bits, production equipment, and many others.

Here's how materials planners use production schedules:
  • Determine daily production schedules based on engineering plans, production specifications, plant capacity, availability of parts and manpower requirements.
  • Expedite sheet steel and extruded aluminum per production schedules Inventory control Worked with engineering and production management More >

10. Inventory Control

Here's how materials planners use inventory control:
  • Resolved transaction errors with the Data Entry Supervisor and the Inventory Control Supervisor focusing on developing countermeasures for preventing future errors.
  • Partnered with factory materials purchasing teams to ensure material was available for each factory build and managed inventory control.

11. Lean Manufacturing

Here's how materials planners use lean manufacturing:
  • Participated in several Lean Manufacturing events that resulted in improved productivity in the manufacturing cells by 20%.
  • Trained and implemented various lean manufacturing initiatives to lower overall costs and improve efficiency.

12. On-Time Delivery

On-Time Delivery, or OTD, is a metric that measures the rate at which finished goods and deliveries are completed on time. This rate is measured by the overall number of units shipped within a specified time frame agreed upon by the consumer and supplier. On-Time Delivery allows suppliers' compliance with delivery deadlines, and hence their consistency, to be assessed using a continuous and collaborative development approach.

Here's how materials planners use on-time delivery:
  • Developed communication standard with the transportation department for tracking critical loads and increase discussions with carriers to ensure on-time delivery.
  • Procure internally supplied raw materials and maintain a production schedule that ensures on-time delivery and utilizes machine time effectively.

13. Part Numbers

Part Numbers are special sets and strings of numbers used to identify and label parts. There is no one specific kind or set of parts for which this is used and the term can be found in various industries and used for various parts. Most often, a part number is only used to refer to one part and product within one company or organization. Part numbers, also, tend to inadvertently describe the item's purposes and physical features, too, through an organized code of sorts.

Here's how materials planners use part numbers:
  • Coordinate and execute scheduling activities for assigned part numbers using advanced planning system.
  • Ensured material availability for over 1200 part numbers through innovative purchasing techniques.

14. Corrective Action

Here's how materials planners use corrective action:
  • Lead inventory record accuracy activities and ensures that robust root cause corrective actions are taken to resolve inventory record inaccuracies.
  • Engaged Enterprise Procurement category buyers to assist with supplier accountability by providing root cause analysis and corrective action plans.

15. Material Availability

The quantity of material required to begin and finish a task is called material availability. The percentage of the total inventory integral to accomplishing the assigned task given the quality is up to standard. Before any project starts, the planner will ensure that the required material is available and permit its execution. The type of material availability check depends upon the available time for the task.

Here's how materials planners use material availability:
  • Reported material availability/problems to management.
  • Conferred with purchasing, engineering, production, and management to establish sequential delivery according to planned requirements and material availability.
top-skills

What skills help Materials Planners find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

List of materials planner skills to add to your resume

Materials planner skills

The most important skills for a materials planner resume and required skills for a materials planner to have include:

  • 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
  • Material Availability
  • Production Planning
  • Support Production
  • Material Shortages
  • Inventory Management
  • Customer Orders
  • Kanban
  • Supply Chain Planning
  • BOM
  • Supplier Performance
  • Engineering Changes
  • Customer Demand
  • WIP
  • Material Flow
  • Production Control
  • Sigma
  • Delivery Dates
  • Shop Floor
  • Sales Orders
  • MPS
  • Production Orders
  • Production Lines
  • Cycle Counts
  • EDI
  • Shipping Receiving
  • Production Floor
  • Cost Savings
  • Quality Issues
  • Obsolete Inventory
  • ISO
  • Material Issues
  • Commodities
  • QA
  • R
  • Inventory Accuracy

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse office and administrative jobs