Plant Supply Planning Manager
Work Location: Onsite
Schedule: Monday–Friday
Travel: As needed
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Plant Supply Planning Manager to lead plant-level supply planning, production scheduling, inventory management, and material planning activities within a manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for aligning supply with customer demand, optimizing production capacity and inventory levels, and supporting on-time and in-full delivery performance.
The Plant Supply Planning Manager will lead the plant's Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) process while overseeing supply planning and production scheduling teams. This individual will collaborate with plant and corporate leadership, manufacturing, and cross-functional stakeholders to identify risks, develop mitigation strategies, and drive continuous improvement across supply chain operations.
The ideal candidate brings strong strategic and tactical planning capabilities, proven leadership experience, and a track record of improving inventory performance, production efficiency, and customer service.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Team Development
- Lead, coach, and develop supply planning and production scheduling teams to achieve operational objectives and support employee growth.
- Establish clear expectations, promote accountability, and foster effective communication and collaboration across teams.
- Develop team capabilities in material requirements planning (MRP), production scheduling, capacity planning, and the use of planning and exception reports.
- Partner with plant and corporate leadership to communicate supply chain strategies, performance, risks, and improvement opportunities.
Supply Planning and Production Scheduling
- Oversee plant-level supply planning and production scheduling across the full material requirements planning horizon.
- Lead the plant's SIOP process and contribute to standardized weekly and monthly planning activities, including Master Production Schedule (MPS) preparation.
- Develop mid- and long-term supply and production scenarios that balance customer demand, capacity, inventory, materials, and operational requirements.
- Optimize production capacity through effective scheduling strategies, including level loading and capacity utilization.
- Lead weekly plant-level scheduling meetings and support the resolution of execution issues, including demand fluctuations, material shortages, and shipment delays.
- Ensure material requirements and supply plans align with plant-wide operational goals and customer service expectations.
Inventory and Performance Management
- Establish, monitor, and drive achievement of plant-level inventory targets and inventory turns objectives.
- Monitor finished goods and subassembly inventory, excess and obsolete materials, slow-moving inventory, and capacity constraints.
- Develop and implement strategies to reduce inventory risk, improve inventory productivity, and maintain appropriate service levels.
- Use key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate operational and financial performance, identify gaps, and drive corrective actions.
- Proactively identify risks across supply, demand, production, capacity, and inventory, developing effective mitigation plans in collaboration with stakeholders.
Continuous Improvement and Strategic Planning
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve planning processes, optimize inventory, increase efficiency, and reduce operating costs.
- Lead plant-level Kaizen events and other continuous improvement initiatives.
- Apply Lean manufacturing principles and data-driven decision-making to improve supply chain performance.
- Support the development and execution of long-term plant supply chain strategies.
- Adapt to changing business priorities and respond effectively to urgent operational needs and business-critical issues.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
- Master's degree is a plus.
- Candidates without a degree may be considered with additional relevant professional experience.
Experience
- With a bachelor's degree: At least 9 years of supply chain experience, preferably in supply planning, production planning, or scheduling within a manufacturing environment.
- Without a degree: At least 13 years of relevant supply chain experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
- At least 3 years of supervisory or team leadership experience in a complex supply chain or manufacturing environment.
Required Skills and Competencies
- Strong strategic and tactical planning skills.
- Demonstrated experience in supply management, production planning, and scheduling.
- Knowledge of capacity planning, utilization management, and production optimization.
- Expertise in inventory management, including inventory turns, excess and obsolete inventory, and customer service requirements.
- Ability to interpret KPIs, analyze performance trends, and implement corrective actions.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, including the ability to explain complex planning issues, risks, and recommendations to plant and corporate leadership.
- Experience leading, coaching, and developing teams in a manufacturing or supply chain environment.
- Knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles, including Gemba walks and Kaizen events.
- Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple departments and organizational levels.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with supply chain ERP systems, preferably Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) version 12.2.6 or later.
- Experience participating in ERP or Advanced Supply Chain Planning (ASCP) system design, implementation, or site installations.
- Knowledge of forecasting, data analytics, and supply chain performance reporting.
- APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), or Principles of Operations Planning certification.
- Lean Six Sigma certification.
- Additional supply chain management certifications or relevant professional designations.
Benefits and Perks
- Company bonus potential.
- Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays.
- Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance, with eligibility beginning on the first day of employment.
- Access to an onsite health clinic.
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Educational assistance program.
- Career development and professional growth opportunities.
- Casual dress environment.
- Relocation assistance may be available, where applicable.
Work Environment and Additional Requirements
- This is an onsite, Monday–Friday position in a manufacturing environment.
- Ability to work throughout the facility, including office areas, multiple floor levels, and the manufacturing floor.
- Ability to travel to plant or customer locations as business needs require.
- Flexibility to respond to schedule changes, urgent requests, and business-critical operational issues.
- Demonstrated reliability, punctuality, professionalism, and the ability to work effectively with others.
Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate is a strategic, results-oriented supply chain leader who can translate business objectives into effective supply and production plans. They are comfortable navigating complex manufacturing operations, developing high-performing teams, managing inventory and capacity constraints, and partnering with leadership to improve service, efficiency, and cost performance.