Summary

As part of a small, collaborative operations team, the Material Planner & Buyer plays a critical role in ensuring reliable supply of materials while balancing inventory levels, warehousing costs, freight spend, and service commitments to customers. This role is responsible for demand planning, procurement, inventory management, coordination with third-party warehouses and carriers, and ongoing cost monitoring through ERP systems.

At Rettenmaier Canada Inc., we value shared ownership and cross-functional collaboration. While the Material Planner & Buyer has defined areas of responsibility, flexibility, problem-solving, and proactive communication are essential to maintaining uninterrupted supply, supporting commercial objectives, and responding to changing operational demands.

Duties and Responsibilities

Materials Planning & Procurement

- Plan and procure raw materials and finished goods to support customer demand while maintaining targeted inventory levels.
- Monitor demand patterns and recommend appropriate safety stock levels, considering overseas lead times and supply chain risk.
- Coordinate purchase orders and intercompany replenishment processes using ERP systems (SAP Business One or similar).
- Work closely with sales and customer service teams to align supply plans with commercial priorities.

Inventory Management

- Monitor inventory levels to maintain an average target of approximately two months of inventory, recommending adjustments where required to maintain supply reliability.
- Prepare regular inventory reviews, including analysis of aging, damaged,



expired, or slow-moving material.
- Develop and maintain lists of saleable excess inventory (“sell-off material”) in coordination with sales, including required product details.
- Ensure inventory data accuracy within ERP systems.

Warehousing Coordination

- Coordinate activities with third-party logistics (3PL) providers to support inbound storage and outbound distribution.
- Monitor warehouse spend against budget and sales levels, identifying variances and proposing corrective actions.
- Support the setup and ongoing coordination of warehouse locations as business needs evolve.

Freight & Logistics

- Coordinate inbound and outbound freight activities, including LTL, FTL/FCL, and international shipments.
- Monitor freight costs through ERP reporting and identify trends, variances, and opportunities for optimization.
- Develop and maintain relationships with a network of carriers to mitigate risk and ensure continuity of supply.
- Proactively propose corrective actions when freight costs as a percentage of sales trend unfavorably.

Systems, Reporting & Process Improvement

- Utilize ERP systems to monitor inventory values, freight costs, and supply chain performance.




- Prepare regular reports and summaries for management, including inventory, warehousing, and freight performance.
- Support system integrations, process improvements, and cross-functional initiatives related to supply chain operations.

Flexibility Clause

- Perform additional tasks or special projects assigned by management, including participation in system implementations, supply chain initiatives, or other operational priorities as required by the business.

Qualifications

- Minimum three (3) years of experience in materials planning, purchasing, supply chain coordination, or a related operations role.
- Post-secondary education in supply chain management, business, logistics, or a related field preferred.
- Strong working knowledge of ERP systems (SAP Business One preferred).
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, with strong Excel skills.
- Experience coordinating inventory planning, procurement, logistics, and third-party suppliers.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a rapid-paced, operational environment.
- Strong verbal and written English communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a small, interdependent team.
- Legally entitled to work in Canada.

Estimated base salary range: CAD $60,000–$70,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications, plus performance-based incentive and comprehensive benefits.

📌 Material Planner & Buyer (Toronto)
🏢 Rettenmaier Canada
📍 Toronto