Planning & Materials System Supervisor

The Planning & Materials Supervisor is responsible for leading the daily activities of production planning, materials management, and inventory control to ensure efficient flow of materials throughout the operation. This role supports on-time delivery, optimized scheduling, accurate inventory levels, and alignment between production, purchasing, and customer requirements. The supervisor drives planning accuracy, improves material availability, and ensures strong communication across cross-functional teams.

• Develop, maintain, and optimize the production schedule to meet customer demand, capacity constraints, and inventory targets.
• Coordinate closely with Operations, Purchasing, Quality, and Maintenance to ensure schedule adherence.
• Monitor labor, equipment, and material availability and adjust plans proactively to prevent bottlenecks.
• Lead daily/weekly planning meetings to communicate schedule priorities and changes.

• Oversee material requirements planning (MRP) to ensure timely availability of raw materials, components, WIP, and finished goods.
• Review and maintain accurate parameters within the planning system (lead times, min/max, safety stock, EOQ, etc.).
• Work closely with Purchasing to address supply risks, shortages, and vendor performance issues.
• Ensure material flow supports continuous production with minimal downtime.

• Maintain accurate inventory levels through effective cycle counting, reconciliation, and root cause investigation of variances.
• Drive improvements in inventory accuracy, shrink reduction, material handling, and storage optimization.
• Provide reporting and analysis on inventory health, slow-moving items, and material usage trends.

• Supervise a team of planners, material handlers, and/or inventory specialists.
• Provide coaching, performance feedback, training, and development opportunities.
• Promote a culture of accountability, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.

• Partner with Sales, Customer Service, and Operations to communicate lead times, order promise dates, and production capacity constraints.
• Participate in S&OP, capacity reviews, and long-term planning.
• Support new product introductions with material planning and readiness.

• Lead and participate in improvement initiatives targeting planning accuracy, inventory management, material flow, and operational efficiency.
• Utilize Lean, 5S, or other best-practice methodologies to streamline processes and reduce waste.
• Implement system enhancements or tools to improve forecasting, scheduling, and inventory visibility.

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 3–5 years of experience in production planning, materials management, supply chain, or manufacturing operations.
• 1–2 years of experience in a leadership or supervisory role preferred.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment (metal or industrial production preferred).

• Strong understanding of MRP/ERP systems, planning parameters, and inventory principles.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration across departments.
• Ability to lead and motivate teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and planning tools.
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies a plus.

• Ability to work in an office and manufacturing floor environment as needed.
• Occasional lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to walk, stand, or move through production facilities.