Launch Material Planner - Tier 1 Automotive - CONTRACT

Position Overview

This is a contract role of 18-24 months in our Supply Chain/Materials Department. 

We are seeking a highly organized and results-driven Launch Materials Planner to support new program launches and product introductions at our automotive manufacturing facility. The Launch Materials Planner is responsible for ensuring material readiness throughout the launch lifecycle by coordinating supplier schedules, inventory planning, logistics activities, and production requirements to achieve successful program launches.

This role serves as a key liaison between Program Management, Purchasing, Production Control, Logistics, Operations, Engineering, and Suppliers to ensure materials are available to support prototype builds, validation events, pilot production, and full-scale manufacturing. The successful candidate will play a critical role in minimizing launch risks while supporting safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives

 Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead material planning activities for new product launches from program kickoff through Start of Production (SOP).
• Develop and maintain launch material requirements based on engineering releases, production schedules, build events, and customer demand forecasts.
• Coordinate material readiness activities to support prototype builds, validation trials, pilot production, and launch milestones.
• Monitor launch inventory levels and ensure all raw materials, purchased components, packaging, and production supplies are available to support launch requirements.
• Collaborate with Purchasing and Suppliers to establish production schedules, delivery plans, and contingency strategies for launch materials.
• Identify and communicate supply chain risks, shortages, capacity constraints, and potential launch impacts to cross-functional teams.
• Participate in APQP meetings, launch reviews, and program status meetings to provide updates on material readiness and supply chain performance.
• Track engineering changes, BOM updates, supplier transitions, and material phase-in/phase-out activities throughout the launch process.
• Coordinate logistics activities to ensure timely transportation, receipt, and inventory management of launch materials.
• Develop and maintain launch tracking reports, shortage reports, inventory analyses, and material status dashboards.
• Work closely with Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Program Management teams to support launch execution and capacity planning.
• Support PPAP submissions and customer requirements by ensuring material availability for validation and approval activities.

• Monitor supplier performance during launch and escalate delivery, quality, or capacity concerns as needed.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and system transactions within ERP and MRP systems.
• Assist in establishing safety stock levels and inventory management strategies during launch ramp-up periods.
• Drive material-related continuous improvement initiatives focused on inventory optimization, supplier performance, and cost reduction.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures, customer requirements, and automotive industry standards.
• Foster a positive working environment while supporting departmental productivity, quality, and operational goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Logistics, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in material planning, launch planning, production control, logistics, or supply chain management within a manufacturing environment.
• Automotive manufacturing experience supporting new product launches preferred.
• Experience working with suppliers, purchasing teams, and production operations in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of Material Requirements Planning (MRP), inventory control, and supply chain management principles.
• Experience supporting production ramp-ups, launch schedules, and customer delivery requirements.
• Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Plex, QAD, or similar manufacturing software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting automotive launch programs and Start of Production (SOP) activities.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, change management processes, and automotive customer requirements.
• Strong understanding of Just-In-Time (JIT), Manufacturing, and inventory optimization methodologies.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, formulas, reporting, and data analysis.
• Knowledge of supplier scheduling systems, EDI processes, and logistics planning.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple launch programs and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Experience identifying supply chain risks and developing mitigation strategies.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively work across all levels of the organization and external suppliers.
• APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP certification preferred

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk throughout a manufacturing and warehouse environment for extended periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move materials or packages weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to work in office, warehouse, and manufacturing environments as needed.
• Ability to travel occasionally to supplier locations, customer sites, or corporate facilities to support launch activities.