Inventory and Demand Planning Manager – Flat-Rolled Steel (East Chicago, IN )

Friedman Industries is adding an Inventory & Demand Planning Manager to lead flat-rolled steel inventory strategy across our operations. Locations: (The Woodlands, TX or East Chicago, IN) You'll be the link between Commercial, Purchasing, Customer Service, Operations, and outside processors — making sure the right steel is at the right location at the right time to serve our contract and spot customers. It's a high-visibility role with real impact on customer service and working capital, backed by benefits well above market: 100% employer-paid health coverage for you, plus a profit-sharing bonus — see the full benefits list below. WHAT YOU'LL DO Develop inventory strategies and stocking targets — reorder points, safety stock, and days-on-hand — for flat-rolled steel by product, grade, gauge, width, and location, covering contract programs and spot business. Build demand plans from shipments, open orders, contract commitments, customer forecasts, and steel-market trends, and turn them into mill purchasing, transfer, and processing recommendations. Give Commercial and Customer Service clear visibility to on-hand, inbound, committed, and in-process steel — including shortages, timing risks, and substitution options that keep customer orders covered. Coordinate slitting, cut-to-length, pickling, and temper passing with outside processors, tracking material, completion dates, yields, and priorities against customer due dates. Coordinate steel allocation and intercompany transfers across Friedman locations to maximize coverage and inventory utilization. Lead cross-functional review of aged, slow-moving, and excess steel and drive disposition actions — transfer, convert, or sell — through to resolution. Build and maintain inventory, demand, and contract-coverage reporting and dashboards for Commercial and executive leadership using Excel, Power BI, and Stratix (ERP) data. Partner with Operations, Purchasing, Customer Service, and Finance to improve inventory accuracy — cycle counts, discrepancy resolution, and ERP data quality. WHAT YOU'LL BRING Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Operations, Analytics, or a related field — or equivalent relevant experience. Five or more years in inventory planning, demand planning, purchasing, supply chain, or commercial operations in steel or a related industrial metals business. Strong analytical skills and a track record of turning data into business recommendations. Advanced Excel skills and hands-on experience with ERP or inventory-management systems. Clear communication with commercial, operations, and executive audiences, and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently. NICE TO HAVE Steel service center, flat-rolled processing, or metals distribution experience — including working knowledge of grades, gauges, widths, finishes, and processing methods like slitting, cut-to-length, pickling, and temper passing. Experience with Stratix (or a similar metals ERP), Power BI, or SQL. APICS/ASCM certification or experience supporting multi-site Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP). OUR BENEFITS Friedman offers benefits well above market for our industry: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance Vision coverage 401(k) retirement plan with company match Profit-sharing bonus Paid time off (PTO) 11 paid holidays Paid maternity and paternity leave Education reimbursement ABOUT FRIEDMAN INDUSTRIES Friedman Industries, Incorporated (NYSE American: FRD) is a manufacturer and processor of steel products, serving customers across the United States since 1965. Our flat-roll operations process hot-rolled coil at facilities in Sinton, TX; Decatur, AL; Hickman, AR; Granite City, IL; and East Chicago, IN, and our tubular operations manufacture pipe in Lone Star, TX. Administrative offices are located in Longview, TX and The Woodlands, TX. We believe our people are the reason for our success. We're committed to a safe workplace, st…

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