Senior Material Planning Manager

PowerSecure, Inc.•Durham, NC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Material Planning Manager is the organization's lead planning expert, responsible for material availability, inventory performance, supplier recovery, and production readiness. This role drives MRP strategy, risk mitigation, shortage resolution, and cross-functional planning initiatives to ensure customer commitments and operational objectives are achieved. The position also provides strategic oversight of purchasing alignment, planning governance, forecasting, inventory optimization, supplier engagement, and continuous improvement efforts. This position is on-site. Occasional travel may be required for training or meetings. The manager must be able to work flexible hours to accommodate different time zones (Central/Eastern/Mountain/Pacific), if necessary, and be flexible for after-hours tasks as needed.

Requirements

5+ years of progressively responsible materials planning, production planning, inventory control, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing MRP environment.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex MRP-driven planning activities within a discrete, engineered-to-order, high-mix, or vertically integrated manufacturing environment.
Advanced proficiency in ERP/MRP systems such as IFS, SAP, Oracle, or similar, including planning parameter management, planning logic evaluation, system issue resolution, and corrective action development.
Advanced analytical skills, including proficiency in Excel and the ability to evaluate large data sets, demand signals, production constraints, supplier lead times, inventory performance, and material availability risks to support business decisions and planning recommendations.
Strong understanding of MRP concepts and inventory planning methodologies, including lead times, safety stock, reorder points, lot sizing, inventory turns, forecasting, and material availability management.
Experience developing, analyzing, and presenting KPIs related to material shortages, supplier recovery, on-time delivery, inventory performance, planning accuracy, and schedule adherence.
Strong root-cause analysis, problem-solving, and continuous improvement skills, with knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and project management principles.
Experience managing critical planning functions, including reporting metrics, forecasting, PFEP, Kanban, inter-site order management, and project material movements.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, interpersonal, and organizational skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders, manage competing priorities, and maintain a high sense of urgency.
Demonstrated ownership, independent judgment, escalation discipline, and the ability to establish priorities, influence decisions, hold stakeholders accountable, and drive complex planning actions to completion.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
IFS experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Own the Plan for Every Part (PFEP) process, including planning parameter management, material forecasting, inventory strategy, and risk assessment activities related to lead times, safety stock, demand signals, inventory turns, and material availability.
Partner with Data Analysts to develop dashboards, KPIs, shortage reporting, and other analytical tools that support planning decisions, continuous improvement initiatives, and operational performance.
Lead material risk management by evaluating supplier performance, demand signals, industry trends, and project requirements; develop mitigation strategies and provide recommendations to leadership to ensure material readiness and schedule adherence.
Serve as the primary liaison between Engineering, Procurement, Planning, Production, Project Management, and senior leadership regarding material health, shortages, readiness, alternate part requests, and recovery actions.
Own the Alternate Parts Process and collaborate with Engineering and Procurement to evaluate and implement approved material substitutions.
Partner with Procurement in supplier meetings to review shortages, open orders, capacity constraints, supplier performance, and recovery plans.
Provide oversight of Distribution Orders, project material movements, and material execution activities to ensure schedule alignment and timely issue resolution.
Own the Kanban system, including implementation, maintenance, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement efforts.
Lead material readiness, production status, shortage, and schedule review discussions; assess risks, establish priorities, drive decisions, assign accountability, and ensure recovery actions are completed.
Lead root-cause analysis for recurring material constraints, planning issues, supplier recovery challenges, and inventory discrepancies; implement corrective and preventive actions with measurable results.
Mentor Materials Planner I and II team members, review complex planning scenarios, reinforce standard work, and elevate planning capabilities across the team.