Senior Material Planning Manager

Job Summary:

The Senior Material Planning Manager is the organization's lead planning expert, responsible for material availability, inventory performance, supplier recovery, and production readiness. This role drives MRP strategy, risk mitigation, shortage resolution, and cross-functional planning initiatives to ensure customer commitments and operational objectives are achieved. The position also provides strategic oversight of purchasing alignment, planning governance, forecasting, inventory optimization, supplier engagement, and continuous improvement efforts.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, Experience, Knowledge, and Skills):

- Bachelors degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations Management,
Engineering, or a related field preferred.

- 5+ years of progressively responsible materials planning, production planning, inventory control, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing MRP environment.

- Demonstrated ability to lead complex MRP-driven planning activities within a discrete, engineered-to-order, high-mix, or vertically integrated manufacturing environment.

- Advanced proficiency in ERP/MRP systems such as IFS, SAP, Oracle, or similar, including planning parameter management, planning logic evaluation, system issue resolution, and corrective action development; IFS experience preferred.

- Advanced analytical skills, including proficiency in Excel and the ability to
evaluate large data sets, demand signals, production constraints, supplier lead times, inventory performance, and material availability risks to support business decisions and planning recommendations.

- Strong understanding of MRP concepts and inventory planning methodologies, including lead times, safety stock, reorder points, lot sizing, inventory turns, forecasting, and material availability management.

- Experience developing, analyzing, and presenting KPIs related to material
shortages, supplier recovery, on-time delivery, inventory performance, planning accuracy, and schedule adherence.

- Strong root-cause analysis, problem-solving, and continuous improvement skills, with knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and project management principles.

- Experience managing critical planning functions, including reporting metrics, forecasting, PFEP, Kanban, inter-site order management, and project material movements.

- Excellent written, verbal, presentation, interpersonal, and organizational skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders, manage competing priorities, and maintain a high sense of urgency.

- Demonstrated ownership, independent judgment, escalation discipline, and the ability to establish priorities, influence decisions, hold stakeholders accountable, and drive complex planning actions to completion.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

- Own the Plan for Every Part (PFEP) process, including planning parameter
management, material forecasting, inventory strategy, and risk assessment activities related to lead times, safety stock, demand signals, inventory turns, and material availability.

- Partner with Data Analysts to develop dashboards, KPIs, shortage reporting, and other analytical tools that support planning decisions, continuous improvement initiatives, and operational performance.

- Lead material risk management efforts by evaluating supplier performance, demand signals, industry trends, and project requirements; develop mitigation strategies and provide recommendations to leadership to ensure material readiness and schedule adherence.

- Serve as the primary liaison between Engineering, Procurement, Planning, Production, Project Management, and senior leadership regarding material health, shortages, readiness, alternate part requests, and recovery actions.

- Own the Alternate Parts Process and collaborate with Engineering and
Procurement to evaluate and implement approved material substitutions.

- Partner with Procurement in supplier meetings to review shortages, open orders, capacity constraints, supplier performance, and recovery plans.

- Provide oversight of Distribution Orders, project material movements, and material execution activities to ensure schedule alignment and timely issue resolution.

- Own the Kanban system, including implementation, maintenance, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement efforts.

- Lead material readiness, production status, shortage, and schedule review discussions; assess risks, establish priorities, drive decisions, assign accountability, and ensure recovery actions are completed.

- Lead root-cause analysis for recurring material constraints, planning issues, supplier recovery challenges, and inventory discrepancies; implement corrective and preventive actions with measurable results.

- Serve as a senior planning resource by mentoring Materials Planner I and II team members, reviewing complex planning scenarios, reinforcing standard work, and elevating planning capabilities across the team.

Work Conditions:

- This position is on-site.

- Occasional travel may be required for training or meetings.

- Must be able to work flexible hours to accommodate different time zones
(Central/Eastern/Mountain/Pacific), if necessary.

- Be flexible for after-hours tasks, as needed.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time, based on business needs.

PowerSecure is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.