Schedule: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm SUMMARY: Function: The objective for the Planning division is to utilize inputs (forecast, inventory, consumption rate, production run times, manufacturing rate, available staffing, and capacity) to develop plans that meet customer demand at minimal costs or fill demand that maximizes profit. Materials planning and control includes decisions related to procurement, utilization, and allocation of raw material resources to satisfy production requirements in the most efficient and effective manner. Decisions and recommendations related to raw material sourcing, purchase planning and purchase requisition processing are outputs of this position. Scope: Plans and implements activities related to the timely, cost-effective procurement, inventory control, planning and quality control of raw materials and supplies while actively engaging with the suppliers and internal stakeholders. EDUCATION: BA/BS degree preferred but not required. EXPERIENCE: Demonstrated leadership and people management skills. Bilingual in business English and Japanese is required in order to communicate accurately and effectively with parent company Purchasing Group as well as with Japan base suppliers. Experience with an ERP system is required. SAP preferred. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 1. Ensures the availability of materials in the supply chain, as scheduled, and the maintenance of inventory at acceptable levels. 2. Responsible for sourcing and supplying raw materials, as well coordinating global procurement efforts. 3. Coordinates with finance/accounting on matters involving inventory carrying costs. 4. Reviews and plans needs for acceptable inventory. 5. Communicates closely and effectively with related departments to manage and support both the Research & Development Group and Manufacturing Group. 6. Negotiates with suppliers to ensure supply chain stability including but not limited to lead-time commitment, fulfilling and cancelling orders depending on demand changes, price reduction, and quality improvement. 7. May work with customers in auditing customer inventory levels and with internal and external vendors to comply with inventory policies. 8. Ensure prompt scheduling and shipment of orders; proactively identify and drive resolution of issues to avoid impact to order delivery \' know when to escalate, lead, and propose solution to the team before an issue becomes a crisis. 9. Take ownership of tasks and projects you participate in, think independently with little or no supervision to complete your day-to-day operation responsibilities, and take immediate action whenever necessary. 10. Meet division level inventory and delivery performance metrics; establish and meet department level objectives. 11. Cultivate effective working relationships between planning group and other stakeholders. 12. Participate in cross functional team efforts as a representative for the Planning division\' Understand the needs from other departments related to Planning division tasks and responsibilities to provide the timely and proper support. 13. May support both verbal and written English \' Japanese (and vice-versa) translation for Planning Department as we Language skill requirement or preference: Need to be able to speak to Japanese colleagues who work for parent company based in Japan.