Planner Jobs in Illinois

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Job Overview

The Scheduling Planner enables Komatsu Parts to deliver the right part, in the right place, at the right time by using planning systems, data, and cross-functional coordination to improve availability, responsiveness, predictability, and ease of doing business for customers. This role exists to strengthen planning quality, inventory productivity, fill rate, supplier execution, and speed of issue resolution across an increasingly complex Parts distribution network. The position releases and manages parts requirements to the supply chain, monitors demand trends and forecasts, recommends planning parameter adjustments, and works across purchasing, customer care, sales, operations, logistics, and suppliers to deliver measurable service-level outcomes.

Business Outcomes this role supports: improved fill rate and service level, stronger inventory productivity, higher planning quality, faster execution, better supplier follow-through, and reduced disruption from backorders, past due purchase orders, and stock-out conditions.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Uses demand, forecast, inventory, supplier, and order data to make planning decisions that improve availability, responsiveness, predictability, and customer experience. 25%
• Approves, releases, and manages purchase order requirements and planning system signals to support fill rate, service levels, and inventory productivity across the Parts network. 20%
• Proactively manages move-in/move-out signals, expediting needs, firm future orders, and scheduled orders to minimize delays and maintain customer commitments. 20%
• Applies structured problem-solving and root cause analysis to resolve supplier, receiving, order board, backorder, and stock-out issues and implement practical countermeasures. 15%
• Monitors supplier performance and planning KPIs—including fill rate, inventory levels, past-due purchase orders, and backorder aging—to identify trends and provide clear, actionable recommendations. 10%
• Builds shared accountability across Purchasing, Customer Care, Sales, Operations, Logistics, and suppliers by communicating priorities, constructively challenging assumptions, and aligning actions with customer and business outcomes. 5%
• Recommends planning system parameter changes, adapts to evolving business needs, and performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor. 5%

Additional Information

The Scheduling Planner is an individual contributor within Parts Central Inventory Management and works closely with purchasing, customer care, sales, operations, logistics, and supplier partners. The role reports to the Forecasting and Planning Manager and may act as backup support for the Forecasting and Planning Manager as appropriate.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Management, Logistics, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Business, or equivalent work experience.
• 3-5 years of experience in planning, inventory management, purchasing, supply chain execution, manufacturing, production planning, or related operations.
• Demonstrated ability to use data, judgment, and structured problem-solving to make sound planning decisions with imperfect information.
• Supplier management and follow-through skills, including the ability to resolve purchase order, receiving, fulfillment, and supplier performance issues.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, with working knowledge of SAP, inventory planning systems, or comparable enterprise planning tools.
• Customer-focused, results-driven, collaborative, and accountable, with the ability to prioritize business needs and follow through on commitments.
• Travel is minimal and based on business needs, training, supplier meetings, or company events. Travel for remote candidates may be up to 25%.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in a scaled or complex distribution, supply chain, manufacturing, or service-level focused environment.
• Working knowledge of materials management processes, including forecasting, inventory planning, purchasing, supplier management, and distribution.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and analysis of complex data sets.
• Experience evaluating KPIs such as fill rate, service level, inventory productivity, past due purchase orders, and backorder aging.
• Ability to identify supply chain disruptions, determine root causes, test assumptions, and develop practical countermeasures.
• Learning agility, adaptability, accountability, and ability to work effectively across functions as the Parts business evolves.

Hiring Range

At Komatsu, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. This role pays $59,400.00 - 74,200.00. The actual offer will consider a wide range of factors, including experience and location.

Company Benefits

Komatsu provides an extensive and robust employee benefits package that is designed to enhance the well-being of our employees and family members. We embrace a positive and empowering employee experience with a culture that prides itself on a diverse and inclusive environment.

• Health benefits: Medical, dental, vision, HSA, wellness programs, etc.
• 401k and/or employee savings programs
• Employee time off (vacation and designated holidays)
• Employee and family assistance programs
• Disability benefits
• Life insurance
• Employee learning and development programs

Diversity & Inclusion Commitment

At Komatsu, we come from diverse backgrounds, with unique perspectives, experiences and contributions. We believe that our people are part of our shared purpose. Connected by our core values of ambition, perseverance, collaboration and authenticity, we are committed to continually advancing in our support of diversity and inclusion. United, we are on a journey towards a sustainable future that creates value together.

Company Information

Komatsu develops and supplies technologies, equipment and services for the construction, mining, forklift, industrial and forestry markets. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Komatsu employs more than 64,000 people worldwide, operating in more than 140 countries. For more than a century, the company has been creating value for its customers through manufacturing and technology innovation, partnering with others to empower a sustainable future where people, business and the planet thrive together. Since the company’s founding in 1921, Komatsu has been committed to supporting individuals and communities through job training, skills development and giving back. As a Komatsu employee, you will be encouraged to grow alongside our global company, contributing to a more sustainable future for all.

EEO Statement

Komatsu is an Equal Opportunity Workplace and an Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.