Manager of Logistics and Planning

M-D Building Products•Gainesville, GA

About The Position

The Manager of Logistics and Planning provides hands-on leadership for facility logistics, receiving, shipping, inventory control, and production planning. The role ensures efficient movement of materials and finished goods throughout the manufacturing operation while meeting safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives. The Manager leads and develops the Shipping, Receiving, and Production Planning teams and works cross-functionally to align material availability, production capacity, inventory levels, and customer demand. The role uses data, business systems, and Lean methodologies to strengthen processes, improve service levels, and support plant performance. This is a hands-on position that includes running MRP, building production schedules, stepping into shipping and receiving as needed, and becoming proficient in direct reports’ duties. The Manager oversees inbound and outbound logistics, production planning and scheduling, inventory practices, transportation and freight activities, and operational performance indicators. The role uses Oracle and operational data to guide decisions and improvements, while developing team capabilities through coaching, cross-training, and performance management.

Requirements

Three to five years of experience in production planning, logistics, or supply chain, including at least two years in a lead or supervisory role.
Demonstrated experience leading teams in a manufacturing or distribution environment.
Experience with production planning, material requirements planning, inventory management, shipping, receiving, and/or logistics operations.
Experience utilizing ERP/MRP systems is required.
Demonstrated experience leading or supporting Lean and continuous improvement initiatives.
Experience establishing, monitoring, and improving operational KPIs.
Strong leadership, coaching, employee development, and performance-management skills.
Strong understanding of logistics, production planning, inventory management, shipping, receiving, and manufacturing operations.
Knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, production scheduling, material planning, and inventory-control principles.
Strong analytical and business acumen, including ability to interpret operational data and translate findings into actionable business decisions.
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
Ability to evaluate capacity, material requirements, inventory positions, and customer demand to support planning decisions.
Strong problem-solving, decision-making, organizational, and planning skills.
Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
Ability to communicate operational performance, risks, and recommendations to frontline employees, cross-functional partners, and senior leadership.
Strong relationship-building and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Knowledge of transportation, carrier management, freight documentation, warehouse operations, and material-handling practices.
Ability to lead effectively through changing priorities and operational disruptions.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent education and relevant experience may be considered.
Oracle experience.
Experience with Lean tools such as PFEP, Kaizen, Visual Management, and Value Stream Mapping.
Experience with Kaizen events, Value Stream Mapping, PFEP, Visual Management, root-cause analysis, and other process-improvement activities.
Prior experience in a Business Systems Analyst or similar role supporting manufacturing or supply chain operations may be considered relevant when combined with demonstrated operational leadership experience.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and direction for Shipping, Receiving, and Production Planning in alignment with plant and organizational goals.
Lead, develop, and engage team members while fostering safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Run MRP and build production schedules; step into shipping and receiving as needed and become proficient in direct reports’ duties.
Oversee inbound and outbound logistics to ensure efficient material flow and accurate, on-time customer shipments that are properly accounted for.
Direct production planning and scheduling to balance customer demand, production capacity, material availability, and inventory objectives.
Partner with Purchasing, Production, Quality, Sales, and other functions to address material shortages, capacity constraints, customer needs, and operational challenges.
Drive inventory accuracy and optimization, including stocking strategies and Plan for Every Part (PFEP) management.
Manage transportation and freight activities with attention to service, cost, compliance, and customer requirements.
Establish and monitor KPIs for safety, customer service, schedule attainment, inventory, freight, and overall operational performance.
Use Oracle and operational data to identify trends, improve decision-making, and drive process improvements.
Develop team capabilities through coaching, cross-training, and performance management.
Perform additional duties and lead special projects as assigned.