Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. What does that mean? Well, we pump peanut butter into your jar, and the oil in your car. We glue the soles of your shoes, the glass in your windows and the screen on your phone. We spray the finish on your vehicle, coatings on your pills, the paint on your house and texture on your walls. Graco is part of your daily life. 

Where You’ll Work – White Knight Fluid Handling Inc., a subsidiary of Graco, Inc.

White Knight was established in 1995 and has consistently developed and manufactured high-quality products. We are a leading supplier of pumps and fluid transfer technology to the semiconductor, Solar Cells, LEDs, flat-panel displays, electronic and industrial markets.

Ready to join us?

Within a manufacturing setting, have a broad knowledge of the entire factory to expertly forecast, plan, and schedule products to meet customer needs in the most timely and efficient manner not just in a cell.  Meet customer service level objectives and planned inventory objectives. Be viewed as a GAINS Champion, a Master Planner, train new hires, and implement supply chain improvements. Communicate with a variety of cross functional teams in factory and corporate positions. Gain ownership of role by developing and implementing continuous improvement processes in inventory management, demand planning, purchasing and scheduling execution on the shop floor.

What You Will Do at Graco

Planning

• Plan all purchased and manufactured parts utilizing the best ordering approach.  EOQ, min/max, fixed days, Kanban, MRP, etc.

• Ensure accurate planning parameters are set in planning systems - GAINS, Oracle.

• Schedule manufacturing orders and ensure customer requirements are met.

• Give work direction and prioritize schedules on the shop floor.

• Communicate with customer service to align priorities to meet customer requirements.

• Keep management proactively informed of manufacturing challenges and issues (capacity, machine downtime, and fluctuations in resources).

• Work with internal cross-functional teams on capacity utilization and sourcing for assembly and machine resources.

• Utilize the MRP system to create the buying plan, regulate safety stocks, recommend expedites, and de-expedites in order to meet demand while maintaining optimum inventory levels.

• Attend and direct meetings with other departments when necessary to implement new procedures or resolve inter-departmental issues.

• Manage inventory to ensure cell objectives are met and in line with company objectives.

• Manage surplus and obsolete inventory and actively disposition inventory if required.

• Plan and execute the flow of externally procured material from the supplier into the factory for assigned products ensuring inventory optimization and flow of material.

• Proactively communicate supply shortages, delivery changes, or quality issues to appropriate personnel in a timely manner.

• Develop and implement lean supply chain methodologies with strategic suppliers that improve flexibility and reduce inventory liability while maintaining sufficient supply.

Forecasting

• GAINS champion.  Work closely with the Demand and Supply Chain Team on justifying and implementing GAINS enhancements or new revisions.

• Maintain a working knowledge of forecasting methods and processes and learn any new system enhancements provided in the forecasting system and recommended improvements.

• Use GAINS to create, adjust, and maintain product and component forecast to drive the Oracle planning system while analyzing supply and demand.

• Communicate with marketing to refine and improve data to accurately forecast product.

Continuous Improvement Champion

• Define, drive, and implement process improvements and systems improvements for supply chain activities.  Provide timely, accurate results to streamline and improve processes.

• Identify and implement best business material planning strategies to support corporate and divisional objectives, providing Graco a competitive advantage in all areas of the supply chain.

• Lead and implement additional continuous improvement projects to enhance the supply chain process

• Identify, develop and implement inventory reduction initiatives and improvements for on-time delivery, lead times, inventory turns, and delivers.

• Support new product development from concept stage through successful product launch

Training 

• Provide training on various material related concepts and processes to new material planners.

• Mentors and trains new planners and employees in other departments on planning systems and processes.

• Creates and distributes training documents as necessary.

Reporting

• Creates and shares reports with other planners that have a positive impact on planning measurable.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Will Bring at Graco

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management or related field or equivalent combination of education and minimum 8 years of planning or related experience in a manufacturing/ distribution environment.

• APICS CPIM certification required if Bachelor’s degree is not in Logistics and Supply Chain Planning field

• High level of experience in planning product with complex multi-level BOM's

• Knowledge of Supply Chain and lean manufacturing concepts, practices, and procedures.

• Strong interpersonal, analytical, and statistical skills are required.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

Accelerators

• Oracle Champion. 

• Participates in a cross-functional team for Oracle system improvements.

• Advanced PC skills, including report generation skills (Cognos, Excel)

• Demonstrate a general knowledge of machine types and capabilities within Graco.

• Ability to recognize basic cost-saving opportunities and recommend to the appropriate personnel.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This role is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., H-1B, TN, F-1 OPT).

At Graco, you truly make a difference. Your unique talents contribute to our organizational growth and future. Not only do you make a difference, but Graco’s culture empowers employees to create their own career path. Whether you choose to advance within your current department or explore new opportunities in different divisions, you have the ability to build your future. Our managers are here to provide support and guidance as you continue to grow within your career.

Graco has excellent opportunities available to individuals who want to be part of a fast-moving, growing company that is committed to quality, innovation and solving fluid handling problems for our customers. Graco is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by Fortune Magazine in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021 & 2022. Graco offers attractive compensation, benefits and career development opportunities. Graco’s comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, stock purchase plan, 401(k), tuition reimbursement and more.

Our company uses E-Verify to confirm the employment and eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit http://www.e-verify.gov/.

The base pay range for this position is listed below, exclusive of fringe benefits or other compensation.  If you are hired, your final base hourly rate will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, competencies, education, and/or experience.  In addition to those factors, we will also consider internal equity of our current employees.  Please keep in mind that the range provided is the full base salary range for the role.  Hiring at or near the maximum of the range would not be typical to allow for future and continued salary growth.