Special Projects & Systems Lead

Job Title: Special Projects & Systems Lead

Department: Procurement

Location: Independence, IA

Position Type: Full-Time | On-Site

Hire Date: Immediate

Position Summary

Independence Premium Foods is seeking an experienced Special Projects & Systems Lead to support and enhance operations across our food manufacturing facility. This role combines responsibilities in ERP administration, business systems analysis, data analytics, inventory management, production planning support, process improvement, and project leadership. The Special Projects & Systems Lead serves as a key cross-functional partner to Production, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Sales, Finance, and Leadership teams. This position is responsible for optimizing ERP processes, maintaining data integrity, developing reporting and analytical tools, improving operational performance, supporting inventory accuracy, and leading initiatives that increase efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen decision-making throughout the organization. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver with strong analytical capabilities, manufacturing experience, and a passion for continuous improvement.

Essential Responsibilities

ERP & Systems Management

• Lead the optimization, maintenance, and continuous improvement of ERP/MRP systems.
• Support business processes from procurement through invoicing to ensure efficient system functionality and data integrity.
• Manage and maintain ERP master data, including formulas, BOMs, product specifications, inventory parameters, and reporting structures.
• Evaluate and improve ERP processes to enhance operational accuracy, efficiency, safety, and cost performance.
• Train users on ERP processes, best practices, and system functionality.

Data Analytics & Reporting

• Develop, maintain, and automate operational and financial reports using ERP, MRP, and third-party systems.
• Partner with Production, Quality, Procurement, Sales, Logistics, and Finance teams to provide weekly, monthly, and quarterly reporting.
• Create dashboards and data visualization tools using Power BI, Tableau, or similar platforms.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, opportunities, and risks.
• Support data-driven decision-making through actionable reporting and analysis.

Inventory, Planning & Operational Support

• Monitor and support inventory management processes for raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods.
• Perform routine validation of inventory transactions, production costing, purchase orders, and sales orders.
• Assist with demand forecasting, production scheduling, and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) activities.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Production, and Finance teams to align inventory strategies with business objectives.
• Support inventory accuracy initiatives and cycle count programs.

KPI Monitoring & Business Performance

• Monitor and report key performance indicators, including:
• • OTIF (On-Time In-Full)
  • Schedule Attainment
  • Production Throughput
  • Inventory Accuracy
  • Scrap and Waste Rates
  • Yield Performance
  • Production Costing
• Present findings, recommendations, and project updates to plant leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Information Systems, Data Analytics, Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in food manufacturing, food processing, beverage manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or a related manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 3 years of experience working with ERP/MRP systems.
• Experience analyzing business processes and driving operational improvements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with SQL and database reporting tools.
• Experience utilizing Power BI, Tableau, or similar data visualization platforms.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively during the initial onboarding and project implementation phase, followed by relocation to on-site work at IPF.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ERP/MRP systems such as Business Central, Vicinity, SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Dynamics 365, or similar platforms.
• Experience supporting Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes.
• Experience managing projects from concept through implementation.
• Knowledge of manufacturing cost accounting and inventory valuation processes.
• Familiarity with food production equipment and processing operations.
• CAD software experience.
• Previous supervisory, team leadership, or project leadership experience.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Combination of office environment and manufacturing plant floor. Follow all GMP requirements
• Regular interaction with production operations and manufacturing personnel. Support audit preparation and compliance initiatives.
• Exposure to noise, machinery, temperature variations, and food production environments.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work flexible hours to support operational and project requirements.