Materials Planning Manager

About Sika

With more than 100 years of experience, Sika is a worldwide innovation and sustainability leader in the development and production of systems and products for commercial and residential construction, as well as the transportation, marine, automotive, and renewable energy manufacturing industries. Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a globally leading position in bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protection. The company operates in 103 countries, produces in over 400 factories, and employs approximately 33,000 people, generating CHF 11.20 billion in sales in 2025.

About the Role

The Materials Planning Manager owns material availability, production scheduling, capacity planning and inventory accuracy for the site so that every customer shipment leaves on time. The role includes managing, developing and coaching the planning team, setting departmental KPIs and individual goals, and serving as the site owner of SAP master data (BOMs, recipes, inventory) while being the first point of contact for SAP issues affecting inventory and customers.

Responsibilities

• Ensure all safety policies are followed within the factory and the MP&L department.
• Maintain procedures that meet IATF 16949 and customer‑specific requirements.
• Oversee production planning; ensure materials and scheduling processes are developed and followed by the team.
• Publish the weekly production schedule and monitor production so inventories support on‑time shipments.
• Maintain capacity planning for all equipment and labor; review material, equipment and manpower constraints for potential bottlenecks.
• Partner with Project Management and schedulers on phase‑in/phase‑out of engineering changes and new products to minimize obsolescence.
• Communicate recovery plans directly with customers as needed.
• Work with the materials planner to manage raw material ordering and potential shortages; develop and implement raw material inventory procedures.
• Oversee site purchasing activities and resolve invoice issues.
• Oversee returnable packaging inventory and manage the repack department; ensure FIFO on all materials.
• Oversee cycle counting of finished goods, raw material, packaging and semi‑finished goods.
• Maintain target inventory dollars and achieve finished‑goods inventory turn targets.
• Analyze finished‑goods levels and adjust with schedulers; own over/under shipments and follow‑up actions.
• Manage inventory risk through the aged inventory report, working with Quality to recertify product where applicable.
• Lead continuous improvement teams for inventory accuracy and participate in CI across all departments.
• Maintain and verify SAP master data, including BOMs and recipes.
• Manage handling units and manual corrections; correct deliveries and resolve ASN issues with customers.
• Troubleshoot SAP inventory and customer issues; lead and guide key users so the required knowledge level is maintained in the local team.
• Support global and local processes as the local business owner; identify and prioritize change requests that improve the function.
• Report department metrics monthly; set departmental KPIs and individual goals with team members.
• Post the weekly production compliance chart and customer ratings on communication boards.
• Seek synergy opportunities across the region and with global Sika colleagues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business or a related field; or a 2‑year degree with 3–5 years of experience in production scheduling and planning.
• APICS/ASCM (CPIM, CSCP) or similar certification is a plus.
• 5+ years of supply chain / materials management experience in a manufacturing environment; automotive or IATF 16949 experience strongly preferred.
• 3–5 years of hands‑on SAP experience (MM/PP); strong Excel and Word skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach and develop a team, drive change and hold high standards.
• Hands‑on, floor‑present leadership style and an ownership mindset.
• Strong analytical skills that turn numbers and schedules into decisions that meet customer demand.
• Thorough understanding of technical process constraints and proven success with cross‑functional teams.
• Clear, professional verbal and written communication with internal and external customers.
• Solid interpersonal, follow‑up and prioritization skills.
• Comfortable in a manufacturing environment (approximately 95 % indoors / 5 % outdoors) with standard PPE required on the production floor.

Benefits

• 401(k) with generous company match
• Bonuses
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid parental leave
• Life insurance and disability insurance
• Paid time off, paid holidays, floating holidays, and paid volunteer time
• Wellness/fitness reimbursements
• Education assistance and professional development opportunities
• Employee referral program and more

Pay

Sika offers competitive salaries aligned with local market benchmarks and the specific scope and responsibilities of the role. Compensation is determined based on skills relevant to the position, education and/or training, and the company is committed to fair and equitable pay practices in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.