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Rittal LLC is a global manufacturer of industrial and IT enclosures, racks, and accessories, including cooling solutions and power management systems for industrial, data center, outdoor, and hybrid applications. As the largest manufacturer of enclosures in the world, Rittal provides innovative, high-quality solutions for practically any industrial or IT infrastructure application, from single enclosures to comprehensive, mission-critical systems. Products are tested and certified to applicable standards including UL, CSA, ATEX, and NEMA. Learn more at rittal.us.
As the Manager - Production Planning & Control, Material Planning & Buying, you will...
Lead all aspects of production planning, production control, material planning, and direct material purchasing activities to ensure efficient operations and on-time delivery performance. This role is responsible for guiding a team of planners and buyers, optimizing inventory and production flow, and supporting operational excellence initiatives that drive employee engagement, safety, productivity, profitability, and customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate will thrive in a complex, multi-product manufacturing environment and possess strong leadership, analytical, and SAP expertise.
Great Place to Work® Certified, Rittal LLC offers workplace culture, employee experiences, and collaborative innovation that create a thriving environment.
Production Planning & Buying LeadershipLead, develop, and direct a team of production planners and buyers.Develop and implement planning strategies that balance customer demand, material availability, and production capacity.Ensure timely responses to demand fluctuations while optimizing inventory levels and material availability.Guide the effective release, scheduling, and sequencing of production orders.Production Efficiency & Delivery PerformanceDrive continuous improvement initiatives focused on planning, production control, and purchasing processes.Establish and maintain standardized work procedures.Monitor delivery reliability and schedule attainment metrics.Implement corrective actions to improve operational performance.Strategic Planning & Cross-Functional CollaborationCollaborate across departments to identify and proactively address production constraints.Analyze production and supply chain data to support decision-making.Develop action plans to eliminate bottlenecks and improve production flow.Identify and implement new technologies and process improvements that enhance efficiency.Team Leadership & Employee DevelopmentFoster a positive, engaging, and high-performing work environment.Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance management.Develop team capabilities and succession planning initiatives.Champion safety and continuous improvement culture throughout the organization.Material Planning & Inventory ManagementManage direct material planning and purchasing activities.Ensure materials are acquired on time and at optimal cost.Utilize SAP R/3 for forecasting, purchasing, inventory management, and planning activities.Partner with sourcing and procurement teams to support supply chain objectives.
EducationBachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or a related field required.Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.ExperienceMinimum 5-6 years of progressive experience in Production Planning & Control within a manufacturing environment.Strong experience in direct material planning and purchasing.Experience leading teams in a fast-paced production environment.Technical ExpertiseAdvanced knowledge of SAP R/3 required.Strong understanding of APO PP/DS (Advanced Planning & Optimization for Production Planning and Demand/Supply).SAP HANA experience strongly preferred.Solid understanding of production planning principles, procurement strategies, and inventory management practices.Skills & CompetenciesStrong analytical and problem-solving abilities.Continuous improvement mindset.Excellent leadership and team development skills.Effective verbal and written communication skills.Strong organizational and project management capabilities.Ability to prioritize multiple initiatives simultaneously.Adaptable and proactive approach to changing customer and production demands.APICS certification preferred.Physical RequirementsRegularly stand, walk, bend, twist, and reach throughout the workday.Spend extended periods on the manufacturing floor and/or working at a computer workstation.Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds to waist level and above shoulder height.Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.Mental RequirementsAbility to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.Adapt quickly to changing priorities and assignments.Manage multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.Learn and utilize new software systems and business processes.Effectively coach, develop, and motivate employees.Communicate professionally with employees, vendors, and customers at all organizational levels.Safety RequirementsWear required personal protective equipment (PPE) while in manufacturing environments, including: Safety glasses with side shieldsSafety-toed footwearHearing protection when requiredAdditional PPE as necessaryComply with all customer PPE requirements when visiting customer facilities.#URBINDIf you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may contact the company’s Human Resources Department at (937) 399-0500. This option is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability. Rittal LLC and Eplan are proud to be an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. EEO, including Disability/Vets.
Rittal LLC is the U.S. subsidiary of Rittal GmbH & Co. KG in Germany and was founded in Springfield, Ohio in 1982. Its parent company, Rittal, was started in Germany in 1961 and has grown to include offices in more than 70 countries and manufacturing facilities on 4 continents.
Rittal LLC's U.S. Headquarters, located in suburban Chicago, Illinois, is a state-of-the-art facility that serves as a customer training center, including expanded teaching resources, product testing facilities and a large-scale product showroom where customers can have a hands-on experience with the entire Rittal System. Rittal LLC's manufacturing center of excellence facility in Urbana, Ohio, consists of more than a half-million square feet of space to ensure that customers' production and stocking requirements are fully met. Lastly, Rittal LLC's distribution centers in Georgia, Texas and Nevada enable Rittal to meet the needs of its customers quickly and reliably.
Situated on a 105-acre campus, Rittal LLC's manufacturing facility is filled with state-of-the-art equipment and processes, and contains in-house engineering and modification services, as well as the longest non-automotive paint line in North America, stretching more than 3 miles within the confines of the factory. The on-site warehouse is outfitted with an 8-story Automated Storage & Retrieval System.
Rittal manufactures the world's leading industrial and IT enclosures, racks and accessories, including high efficiency, high density climate control and power management systems for industrial, data center, outdoor and hybrid applications. Rittal's off-the-shelf standard, modified standard and custom-engineered products are known throughout the world as high quality, affordable solutions for practically any industrial or IT infrastructure application - from single enclosures to comprehensive systems.
Rittal is ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 certified.
