Materials Planner

The Value You’ll Bring

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. Are you ready to take on a pivotal role in supply chain management? As a Materials Planner, you will be responsible for making strategic sourcing decisions, determining the optimal balance between internal and external raw material procurement while exceeding key performance metrics. Your role will involve planning production capacity with precision—balancing inventory capital costs, capacity constraints, plant efficiencies, and customer fill rate objectives. You will oversee inventory planning at manufacturing facilities and third-party distribution centers to ensure seamless operations supporting Smithfield Foods. In addition, you will act as the key liaison for supply chain projects, coordinating efforts with business partners to improve efficiency and performance. You will communicate with stakeholders about capacity constraints and limitations at internal manufacturing locations, collaborating with facilities and suppliers to schedule production in alignment with sales activity—all while optimizing costs for the best possible outcome.

What You’ll Do

• Scheduling, Inventory, and Supply Planning: Ensure master scheduling, product replenishment, and inventory management metrics are met using planning software and departmental processes. Identify action items, leverage resources, and follow up on supply planning issues to drive efficiency. Own and manage the stock transport order (STO) lifecycle from creation to closure, ensuring seamless execution. Oversee and optimize inventory levels at distribution centers and plants by implementing stocking policies, seasonal builds, and coordinated storage strategies. Support initiatives to decrease inventory alert levels and reduce inventory distress sales across assigned product categories, contributing to overall supply chain optimization.
• Raw Materials and Supplier Coordination: Make strategic sourcing decisions, ensuring the optimal balance between internal and external raw material procurement. Collaborate with both internal and external suppliers to guarantee timely deliveries and sufficient quantities that maximize plant production schedules. Execute freeze/thaw strategies across the network, creating supply buffers to effectively manage demand fluctuations and seasonality, ensuring continuous production efficiency.
• Capacity Planning and Production Optimization: Lead the enforcement and utilization of capacity planning models for assigned product categories, ensuring optimal resource allocation and production efficiency. Provide strategic direction regarding capacity availability and limitations for both existing and new production, enabling seamless operations and informed decision-making.
• Collaboration and Issue Resolution: Collaborate with upstream and downstream business partners to strengthen process opportunities and enhance operational effectiveness across the company. Take ownership of resolving key shortage issues, proactively identifying solutions and communicating them to upper management to ensure seamless supply chain operations.

What We’re Seeking

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Operations Management, Supply Chain Management or related field and 2+ years of relevant experience in supply chain, operations, planning and inventory control or similar required or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Proficient in Excel & PowerPoint.
• Works well under pressure with limited supervision and be able to make immediate value-based decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication Skills.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Strong ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong organizational skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Effectively interact with all levels of management.
• Able to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Able to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

Other Skills That Make You Stand Out

• Experience in other areas of the supply chain such as purchasing, customer service, demand planning or logistics is a plus.
• Consumer Packaged Goods Industry experience, preferred.
• APICS certification preferred, CPIM or CSCP a plus.
• Experience in planning software is a plus.
• SAP experience a plus.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Capable of sitting for extended periods of time.
• Frequently required to sit; stand; walk; reach with hands and arms.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Able to travel as needed.

EEO Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.