Materials Specialist, Planning & Execution

The Materials Specialist - Planning & Execution is responsible for ensuring the effective planning, scheduling, procurement, and execution of material requirements to support production, inventory, and customer delivery objectives. This role works cross-functionally with Operations, Procurement, Manufacturing, Quality, and Logistics teams to maintain material availability, optimize inventory levels, and execute supply plans that meet business requirements. The position drives material flow efficiency, supports SIOP/S&OP processes, and ensures accurate transactional execution within ERP systems. RESPONSIBILITIES Material Planning & Inventory Management Develop and maintain material requirements plans based on production schedules, customer demand, forecasts, and inventory targets. Monitor material availability and proactively identify shortages, excess inventory, and supply risks. Analyze inventory trends and recommend actions to optimize inventory investment while maintaining service levels. Execute inventory control processes including cycle count reconciliation, inventory adjustments, and material disposition activities. Maintain planning parameters, safety stock levels, lead times, and reorder points within ERP systems. Production Support & Execution Coordinate material availability to support manufacturing schedules and customer commitments. Release and manage planned orders, work orders, purchase requisitions, and transfer orders as required. Expedite critical materials and coordinate corrective actions to minimize production disruptions. Partner with production teams to resolve shortages and prioritize material allocations. Monitor schedule adherence and support recovery plans for missed production targets. Supplier & Procurement Coordination Collaborate with sourcing and procurement teams to ensure timely material deliveries. Track supplier performance related to delivery, responsiveness, and material availability. Communicate forecast changes and demand requirements to internal and external stakeholders. Support supplier issue resolution and escalation processes. Data Analysis & Continuous Improvement Analyze material planning and inventory performance metrics. Identify root causes of material shortages, inventory discrepancies, and planning inefficiencies. Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on inventory optimization, lead-time reduction, and process standardization. Support implementation of ERP, MRP, and supply chain process improvements. Maintain data integrity of material master records and planning parameters. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, Engineering, Finance, and Logistics teams to ensure alignment of material plans. Support new product introduction (NPI), engineering changes, and product transitions from a material planning perspective. Participate in S&OP/SIOP reviews and supply-demand balancing activities. Provide material status updates to leadership and stakeholders. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field; or equivalent experience. 2-5 years of experience in materials planning, production planning, inventory management, supply chain, manufacturing, or related roles. Experience working with ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, LN, QAD, JDE, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar platforms. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Preferred Qualifications APICS/ASCM certifications (CPIM, CSCP) preferred. Experience in discrete manufacturing, industrial products, aerospace, or engineered-to-order environments. Understanding of SIOP/S&OP, demand planning, inventory optimization, and lean manufacturing principles. Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or related reporting tools. Key Compete…

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