Material Planner/Analyst

Position Summary

The Material Planner/Analyst is responsible for planning, analyzing, and coordinating the flow of materials required to support production operations and customer requirements at the Blacksburg facility. The position works closely with suppliers, production, scheduling, purchasing, engineering, logistics, and quality to maintain material availability while controlling inventory and minimizing supply disruptions.

This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to proactively identify material shortages, changing demand, inventory concerns, and supplier issues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain material plans aligned with production schedules and customer demand.
• Monitor raw material, component, and supply requirements to ensure materials are available when needed.
• Review inventory levels, usage, safety stock, lead times, and planning parameters.
• Analyze demand and usage trends and adjust material plans as requirements change.
• Identify potential material shortages and proactively coordinate actions to minimize production disruptions.
• Place and monitor purchase orders and follow up with suppliers regarding delivery commitments.
• Work directly with suppliers to resolve shortages, late deliveries, backorders, and other supply concerns.
• Monitor supplier performance, including delivery, quality, and responsiveness.
• Partner with production planners, schedulers, purchasing, logistics, engineering, and quality to resolve material-flow issues.
• Maintain accurate material, purchasing, lead-time, and planning information within ERP/MRP systems.
• Analyze inventory performance and supply chain KPIs and recommend opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce cost.
• Support inventory-control activities and initiatives designed to reduce excess and obsolete material.
• Assist with new-product launches and engineering changes by ensuring material readiness and accurate planning.
• Coordinate with logistics to support inbound material requirements.
• Support continuous-improvement initiatives related to material flow, inventory management, supply-chain performance, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Communicate material risks and recovery plans to appropriate plant leadership and cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field preferred. Equivalent relevant manufacturing or materials experience may be considered.

Experience: Two to three or more years of experience in materials planning, materials management, purchasing, procurement, inventory control, or a related supply-chain function in a manufacturing environment. Automotive manufacturing experience is preferred.

Systems and Certification: Experience using ERP/MRP systems is required. APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP certification is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong analytical and mathematical skills.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and general computer skills.
• Ability to analyze inventory, demand, usage, and supply data.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple requirements in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Excellent follow-up and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with suppliers and cross-functional plant teams.
• Ability to identify problems, determine root causes, and drive corrective actions.
• Results-oriented with a strong sense of urgency and accountability.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and Constraint Management/Visual Pull principles is beneficial.

Key Performance Focus

• Material availability
• Reduction of material shortages
• Supplier on-time delivery
• Inventory accuracy and optimization
• Schedule attainment
• Reduction of excess and obsolete inventory
• Effective management of material lead times
• Accurate ERP/MRP planning data
• Successful material readiness for production and new-product launches

Working Conditions

This position operates in both an office and manufacturing-floor environment. Occasional travel to suppliers or other company locations may be required.

Quality and Compliance

Employees are expected to follow applicable local work instructions, procedures, quality requirements, the Tenneco Integrity Policy, the Quality Manual, and applicable IATF 16949 requirements.

Job Description Notice

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications. Management may modify duties or requirements based on business needs.