Materials Planner

As Purchasing’s front-line representative to operations, the Materials Planner ensures continuity of supply for raw and packaging materials to production facilities.

Responsibilities

• Place Purchase Orders and manage replenishment strategies for assigned materials.
• Manage supply disruptions driven by unforeseen events and react to changes.
• Understand supply constraints and develop contingency plans to maintain production.
• Optimize warehouse space by ensuring POs are delivered to avoid shortages or inventory overflow.
• Balance supply availability, production requirements, warehouse capacity, and risk of ingredient expiration.
• Ensure material availability through forecasts, lead time replenishment scheduling, and collaboration with suppliers and plant operations.
• Develop and lead inventory cost reduction initiatives in collaboration with internal and external customers using SAP and supplier capabilities.
• Minimize excess inventory impact by rescheduling POs, transferring to other locations, or working with suppliers/QA to evaluate extensions.
• Identify and execute improvement ideas, such as material cost savings, improved purchasing signals, and warehouse capacity optimization.
• Work with Category Managers on supply delays, contract pricing discrepancies, and cost-saving projects.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Purchasing, R&D, Suppliers, Quality Assurance, Operations, and Finance on commercialization of new or transitioning materials and value-added projects.
• Drive Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to meet targets for Purchase Price Variances, inventory turns, pallet counts, inventory target levels, expiring materials, and open invoices.
• Support the company’s financial responsibilities related to Purchasing, including assisting warehousing with receiving and inventory variances.
• Maintain updated pricing records for fiscal period closes and investigate causes of Purchase Price Variances.
• Work with Accounts Payable for timely payment of invoices containing discrepancies from original POs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred: Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Supply Chain, Business, or related discipline.
• CPSM certification highly encouraged within the first three years of employment (employer funded).
• 0-3 years’ experience in procurement, supply chain, or materials management.
• SAP knowledge preferred.
• Experience with lean manufacturing principles preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to learn from mistakes and handle stress.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Drive for results and strong influencing skills.
• Travel ~5% or as required.

Working Conditions

• Light exposure to unusual elements such as dirt, dust, fumes, extreme temperatures, humidity, darkness, and/or noise.
• Moderate physical effort required: standing, sitting, walking, lifting up to 25 pounds, reaching, climbing, kneeling, and fine dexterity.
• Personal protective equipment provided as defined by the company.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $62,886.00 - $109,104.00. Actual compensation may vary based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location.

Benefits

• Health and disability insurance.
• Retirement savings options.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Employee assistance programs.
• Educational assistance.
• Parental leave.
• Paid time off and company-paid holidays.