Manager, Materials Planning

C.H. Guenther•San Antonio, TX

About The Position

This position ensures continuity of supply of raw and packaging materials to production facilities. The Manager leads a team of planners and improves coordination of materials procurement across the network to maximize customer service levels and minimize inventory levels and waste. The role develops the Materials Planning function for packaging and ingredients by creating integrated processes with Operations, Purchasing, Logistics, and outside suppliers for planning, replenishment, and sourcing specific categories. The role is accountable for supply planning across multiple manufacturing locations—currently more than 20—and a network of co-packers. It oversees the supply chain from purchase order through delivery, including order fulfillment, shipping, receiving, and inventory management for packaging and materials. The manager owns the supply portion of the supply chain process, determines available production-line capacity and constraints in coordination with Operations and Sales/Marketing, reviews Performance-to-Plan results with Operations, and maintains accurate costing and setup data in SAP. The position acts for the Director, Materials Management when the Director is absent and troubleshoots issues as they arise. The manager leads and develops staff, including motivation, training, goal setting, and personal development. The position leads inventory-reduction and warehousing programs, limits excess-inventory cost and waste while balancing service, identifies savings opportunities to reduce product costs and maximize manufacturing yields, maintains a supplier KPI database, and develops sourcing strategies, policies, and practices that balance quality, service level, and total cost. Travel is approximately 15% or as required. The role involves light exposure to unusual environmental elements, moderate physical effort, and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Personal protective equipment will be provided. The manager is expected to demonstrate and promote the company’s Core Values in People, Quality, and Growth.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; preferably in supply chain, economics, finance, or agribusiness.
At least 3 years of experience in supply planning, material planning, or sales forecasting.
At least 2 years of people-management experience.
Experience with SAP/APO or other supply planning software packages; SAP preferred.
Ability to work across Operations, Customer Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, and Finance, and interact regularly with senior management regarding goals and accomplishments.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills for effective interaction with internal and external contacts.
Analytical and technical skills to understand business practices and recommend automation opportunities.
Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive team leadership; willingness to welcome challenges.
Experience leading continuous-improvement and process-optimization initiatives.
Track record of quickly identifying and resolving problem areas.
Self-motivated, with a commitment to continuous improvement.
Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
Flexibility and adaptability in a rapidly changing environment.
Proven ability to mentor and develop talent.
Strong Excel-based PC analytical skills.
Experience in strategic sourcing.
High proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds; perform standing, sitting, walking, reaching, climbing, and kneeling as needed; and use fine dexterity and communicate effectively.

Nice To Haves

CPG experience.
A bachelor’s degree in supply chain, economics, finance, or agribusiness is preferred.

Responsibilities

Ensure continuity of supply of raw and packaging materials to production facilities.
Lead a team of planners and improve coordination of materials procurement across the network to maximize customer service and minimize inventory and waste.
Develop the Materials Planning function for packaging and ingredients, integrating processes with Operations, Purchasing, Logistics, and outside suppliers for planning, replenishment, and sourcing specific categories.
Manage supply planning for multiple manufacturing locations (currently more than 20) and a network of co-packers.
Oversee the supply chain from purchase order to delivery, including order fulfillment, shipping, receiving, and inventory management for packaging and materials.
Own the supply portion of the supply chain process.
Determine production-line capacity and constraint information in coordination with Operations and Sales/Marketing.
Review Performance-to-Plan results and work with Operations to drive results.
Maintain accurate costing and setup data within SAP.
Act on behalf of the Director, Materials Management when absent and troubleshoot issues as they arise.
Manage, motivate, and train staff in accordance with company objectives and organizational requirements; support goal setting and personal development.
Lead development and implementation of inventory-reduction and warehousing programs, limiting excess-inventory cost and waste while balancing service.
Identify and implement savings opportunities to minimize product costs and maximize manufacturing yields.
Create and maintain a supplier KPI database.
Develop and implement sourcing strategies, policies, and practices that balance quality, service level, and total cost.
Travel approximately 15% or as required.
Demonstrate, promote, and exemplify the company’s Core Values in People, Quality, and Growth.