Material Planner
Description
Responsible for planning, purchasing, and managing raw materials, packaging, ingredients, and production supplies to ensure timely availability for manufacturing operations. This position manages inventory and purchasing activities, coordinates with suppliers and internal departments, and supports efficient material flow while minimizing shortages, excess inventory, and costs.
What you’ll do:
- Review production schedules, forecasts, inventory levels, and material requirements to determine purchasing and replenishment needs.
- Create, maintain, and manage purchase orders, including revisions, quantities, pricing, and delivery requirements.
- Monitor inventory, open purchase orders, supplier lead times, and expected receipts to ensure materials are available when needed.
- Maintain appropriate inventory levels, safety stocks, reorder points, and purchasing parameters.
- Communicate with suppliers regarding orders, delivery schedules, quantities, pricing, and routine supply issues.
- Expedite or reschedule materials as production requirements change and resolve delivery discrepancies.
- Investigate and resolve discrepancies involving inventory, purchase orders, receipts, invoices, and production requirements.
- Coordinate with Production Planning, Operations, Warehousing, Quality, Finance, Procurement, and Customer Service to maintain material availability and support production schedules.
- Work with approved suppliers and utilize established contracts and procurement policies.
- Coordinate freight, shipping, brokers, customs, and expedited deliveries as required.
- Maintain accurate material, supplier, pricing, and purchasing information within the ERP system.
- Support supplier performance, purchasing, inventory, and supply-chain reporting.
- Identify opportunities to improve material availability, inventory efficiency, purchasing processes, and supply-chain performance.
- Perform other related duties and special assignments as required.
What you’ll bring:
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Logistics, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
- 1–3 years of experience in materials planning, purchasing, inventory control, production planning, supply chain, or a related role preferred.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Strong skills in prioritizing multiple requirements to meet deadlines.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Experience creating and managing purchase orders.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP systems.
- Working knowledge of inventory management, purchasing, material requirements planning, and supply-chain processes.
- Must have flexibility to work weekends based on demands.
What you’ll get:
- Opportunity to contribute to both strategic and day-to-day procurement activities
- Exposure to cross functional teams including finance, supply chain, engineering, and quality
- Involvement in process improvement and supplier development initiatives
- A collaborative environment that supports professional growth and development
- The ability to make a direct impact on operational performance and cost management
- Experience working in both office and plant environments to broaden your perspective
About Sensient:
Sensient Technologies Corporation is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of colors, flavors, and extracts. Sensient employs advanced technologies at facilities around the world to develop specialty food and beverage systems, cosmetic and pharmaceutical systems, specialty colors, and other specialty and fine chemicals. The Company's customers include major international manufacturers representing most of the world's best-known brands.
About Sensient Agricultural Ingredients:
Sensient Agricultural Ingredients is one of the largest producers and distributors in the world of dehydrated onion and garlic products as well as chili powder, paprika, chili pepper and dehydrated vegetables such as parsley, celery, and spinach. These ingredients are used in many of today's popular convenience foods. The Agricultural Ingredients unit is located in Turlock, California.
The salary range for this position is $27 - $32 USD per hour. Pay within the range is based on several factors, which may include, but are not limited to, education, work experience, specialized training, and labor market conditions. In addition to salary, Sensient is proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits program to support the holistic well-being of our employees and their families.
SPONSORSHP: Due to our inability to offer visa sponsorship, we can only consider candidates who are authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment visa sponsorship.
RELOCATION: We are unable to offer relocation assistance. The successful candidate will be expected to work at Turlock, CA and must reside in area or be willing to commute.
THIRD PARTY AGENCY: Any unsolicited submissions received from recruitment agencies will be considered property of Sensient Technologies, and we will not be liable for any fees or obligations related to those submissions.
Sensient is an Equal Opportunity Employer, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
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innovation has never looked so good
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our stories We work together in person to put the needs of our customers first and get results. Be different. Be Sensient. -
who we are We’re on a mission across the globe to unlock the potential of our customers’ food, pharmaceutical, and personal care products. -
faq You have questions? here are our answers to the most frequently asked questions people have about a career with Sensient. -
the Americas We offer multiple locations across the United States, Latin America, and Canada. Choose the one you’re most interested in to learn more about it and see available roles. -
APAC region We offer multiple locations across the Asia-Pacific region. Choose the one you’re most interested in to learn more about it and see available roles. -
EMEA region We offer multiple locations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Choose the one you’re most interested in to learn more about it and see available roles. -
global locations At Sensient, we believe in the power of collaborating face-to-face, in person. With locations around the world, we offer plenty of opportunities to build the career that best suits you. Learn more about our global locations. -
what we do We develop and manufacture flavors, colors, and extracts that bring our customers’ products to life. Our products positively impact the daily experience of millions. -
sustainability Sustainability is central to our mission at Sensient. Everyone here is dedicated to working together to bring sustainable innovations to the world. This includes vegan flavors, low-carbon products, natural and organic ingredients, and so much more. -
key hiring areas at Sensient Technologies Many paths to success. With a variety of categories and locations, it’s important to find the role that fits you best. -
learning & development We offer a variety of unmatched opportunities for training designed to help you develop your skills. Each program is tailored to specific areas of focus and intended to bring out your best while setting you up for a long, exciting, and fruitful career at Sensient. Take control of your future and learn more about our development programs. -
tips for your application Interested in applying to join us, but not sure how to begin? We’ve compiled a list of tips and advice from some current employees to help you get started. -
careers in research & development Where innovation is born and applied. If you’re an analytic thinker, scientific researcher, and driven winner, our Research and Development (R&D) department is where you can take control of your career. -
coaching at Sensient Having a strong coaching culture is a top priority for Sensient. We are committed to helping our employees grow and develop in their roles to meet their future career goals. -
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sales careers Are you ambitious with a competitive spirit? Do you want to be rewarded for your hard work and results? Does your professional success matter to you? If so, join Sensient’s elite sales team. -
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working at juneau Discover what makes working at the Juneau, WI facility unique! With a rich history, and a close-knit team of under 100 employees, this location offers a collaborative work environment where personal connections thrive. -
working in st. louis Discover what it's like working at our Colors Headquarters! With a dynamic work environment, you’ll have opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute with a focus on innovation and career development. -
Why Sensient? -
your future starts at Sensient Unleash the power of bold flavors and bright colors and experience the thrill of developing products that are essential to hundreds of millions of users. Learn more about who we are and how our teams work together to create innovative solutions. -
careers in research & development Explore careers in Research & Development at Sensient. Work on science‑driven innovation, global impact, and sustainable solutions across industries. -
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career changers: build a sales career at Sensient For driven professionals ready to turn expertise into sales success at Sensient. -
career growth at Sensient Unlock your potential with Sensient's growth programs. Bring your grit, and we'll teach you the rest. Explore opportunities in research, sales, manufacturing, and more. -
early days at Sensient Success starts here. Explore Sensient’s world-class onboarding experience built to help you feel welcomed, prepared, and supported from your first day onward. -
our business goal at Sensient Discover how Sensient’s technology, scale, and people power innovation across food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial applications—shaping products used every day around the world. -
discover Sensient's culture: innovation, collaboration, and growth Explore the culture at Sensient, where innovation, collaboration, and customer focus drive success. Learn how employees grow their careers, take ownership, and thrive through continuous learning. -
sales training programs: fast-track your career with Sensient Learn about Sensient's Sales Rep Trainee Program and Inside Sales Representative roles. Gain hands-on training, mentorship, career growth opportunities, and the skills to build a successful sales career.