Material Planning/Customer Service Specialist at EKK Eagle America Inc – Farmington Hills, Michigan

General Position Summary:

The Material Planner/Customer Service Specialist assignment will act as the primary contact for customers wishing to place, change or inquire about the status of a purchase order or order release. The individual will be the primary contact and coordinator to EEAI’s third party logistics provider and warehouse, and will ensure that all paperwork needed to fulfill customer orders is delivered in time to meet customer delivery due dates.

Orders placed by the customer will trigger upstream orders to EKK production locations globally. The responsibility is to analyze incoming EEAI customer orders and safeguard that appropriate inventory levels are in place so EEAI customer requirements can be fulfilled without interruption.

Finally, as the primary contact for both customer and supplier production locations, the role will ensure that all external inquiries and complaints are answered in a professional and timely manner or forwarded to the appropriate EEAI department to be acted upon and solved.

Essential Job Functions:

• Manage customer order intake and receive purchase orders and forecasts from EEAI customers.
• Confirm contents of purchase orders with customer for accuracy and confirm EEAI fulfillment requirements. Request adjustments in delivery timing if necessary.
• Process customer purchase orders and issue invoices to customers and internally.
• Provide to Sales and Account Management forecast to assist in annual planning process and customer strategy.
• For new customers, new ship to or ship from locations, coordinate the onboarding of customer/supplier EDI, shipping and logistics.
• Generate and deliver EEAI purchase orders and/or release from Customer blanket purchase orders to EKK global production locations for delivery to EEAI's warehouse or customer’s directly.
• Communicates with manufacturing plants for future demands.
• Contact and coordinate with EEAI warehouse to ensure appropriate product inventory levels are maintained.
• Coordinate product shipments with manufacturers, warehouses, freight forwarders, and customers.
• Communicate and assist in solving shipping related issues with all associated parties.
• Facilitate the processing of supplier invoices for payment.
• Ensure AR status is maintained in good standing.
• Conduct the initial communication with customers for outstanding payments. Upon initial payment inquiry and request, forwards payment concern to Sales/Account Manager for a deeper investigation into payment issues.
• Performs inventory check/counts periodically.
• Assist in the development of the EEAI monthly report by providing sales data summaries and reporting current and forecast status.

Other & Miscellaneous:

• Seeks constant improvement, more efficient and less expensive ways and means in work processes.
• Performs special projects and other miscellaneous duties as assigned by manager and other senior management.
• Maintains high ethical standards in the workplace.
• Reports all irregular issues and problems to management for solution.
• Maintains good communication with other managers, staff and outside contacts.
• Complies with all company policies and procedures.
• Responsible for maintaining a clean and safe working area.

Critical Job Dimensions (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

Accuracy, Analysis, Attendance, Attention to Detail, Communication: Oral, Reading & Writing (English and Japanese preferred but not required), Clerical, Customer Service, Diplomacy, Listening & Understanding, Office Administration, Order Processing, Planning & Organizing, Relationship Building, Vendor Relations.

SAP Experience

Demonstrated skills in Excel and Word and Outlook.

Work Environment & Physical Demand:

• Work Environment - Work is typically performed in an office environment.
• Lifting - Must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Physical Sight - Able to read and analyze data in hard copy and on a computer screen; ability to measure or identify using eyesight.
• Vehicle Driving Requirement - None
• Business Travel Requirement - Infrequent