Materials Planner

Smithfield Foods•Smithfield, VA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Smithfield Foods is seeking a Materials Planner to join their team. This pivotal role in supply chain management involves making strategic sourcing decisions, determining the optimal balance between internal and external raw material procurement, and exceeding key performance metrics. The position requires planning production capacity with precision, balancing inventory capital costs, capacity constraints, plant efficiencies, and customer fill rate objectives. The Materials Planner will oversee inventory planning at manufacturing facilities and third-party distribution centers, act as the key liaison for supply chain projects, and communicate with stakeholders about capacity constraints. This role is an opportunity to make a significant impact for a strategic thinker passionate about logistics and planning.

Requirements

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.
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.
Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
Lead the enforcement and utilization of capacity planning models for assigned product categories, ensuring optimal resource allocation and production efficiency.
Support and provide strategic direction regarding capacity availability and limitations for both existing and new production, enabling seamless operations and informed decision-making.
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.