Materials Planner

POSITION DESCRIPTION

We are a profitable, family company where your work will help improve the lives of animals. We make premium foods for companion birds and small pets and emergency critical care diets for all animals. We are a growing family business with 45 employees.

Our mission: Two Generations of Veterinarians Caring and Working for the Health of Animals through Advanced Nutrition, Exceptional Quality, and Education.

The Materials Planner is responsible for ensuring the timely and efficient flow of raw materials, packaging components, and finished‑goods inventory needed to support manufacturing operations. This role forecasts raw & finished material needs, manages supplier ordering and delivery schedules, and coordinates closely with the Production, Quality, and Warehouse teams to maintain accurate inventory levels. The Materials Planner monitors all ingredient usage, analyzes demand patterns, and creates material replenishment plans aligned with production schedules and customer orders. This position plays a critical role in minimizing stockouts, preventing over‑inventory, reducing production downtime, and supporting on‑time delivery performance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Forecasting & Demand Planning
- Analyze sales forecasts, historical demand patterns, and seasonal trends

- Collaborate with sales and operations teams to anticipate demand for all raw materials and ingredients

- Adjust planning models based on promotions, new product launches, and/or customer forecasts

- Understands, modifies, and applies tiered ordering and shipping matrix rate structures to plan material movements and optimize per-unit and freight costs

Raw Material Planning
- Determine required quantities of all raw materials and ingredients such as, but not limited to, seeds (sunflower, millet, safflower, corn, etc.), vitamins, packaging materials, and more

- Maintain optimal inventory levels to ensure uninterrupted production while reducing excess/obsolete materials

- Create material requirement and replenishment plans

Supplier Management & Procurement Support
- Coordinate with suppliers for timely delivery of raw materials, packaging, and other inputs

- Monitor lead times, negotiate delivery schedules, and communicate forecast changes to suppliers

- Track supplier performance (OTIF delivery, quality, responsiveness)

- Identify alternative suppliers when shortages or quality issues arise

Inventory Control
- Monitor on‑hand inventory of raw materials and finished goods

- Perform cycle counts and reconcile variances with warehouse teams

- Implement strategies to reduce shrinkage, spoilage, and controllable losses

- Ensure proper storage rotation using FIFO/FEFO to maintain quality

Production Scheduling Support
- Provide daily/weekly material availability reports to production scheduling teams

- Ensure production lines have the correct mix sheets/documents and packaging materials at the right time

- Communicate material shortages and propose schedule adjustments to minimize downtime

Quality & Compliance Coordination
- Ensure all raw materials meet quality‑control standards before release to production

- Work with Quality Assurance to address incoming‑material issues (e.g., moisture levels, contamination, foreign matter, etc.)

- Maintain documentation needed for food‑grade production, traceability, and audits

Logistics & Warehouse Coordination
- Track inbound shipments and coordinate receiving schedules with warehouse staff

- Optimize warehouse space for raw & finished material storage

- Work with logistics on freight scheduling and cost management

Data Management & Reporting
- Maintain accurate records for inventory levels, purchase orders and material usage

- Generate KPIs such as inventory turns, material availability, forecast accuracy, and supplier performance

- Identify trends and recommend process improvements

Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with production, quality, procurement, and sales departments to support company goals

- Participate in new product development to assess material requirements and sourcing feasibility

- Support cost‑reduction initiatives and efficiency projects

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement
- Investigate root causes of material shortages, overages, or quality issues

- Improve planning workflows, stocking strategies, and vendor forecasting

- Recommend process improvements for handling, storing, and manufacturing operations

REQUIREMENTS

- Four (4) years or more in manufacturing/production/distribution inventory required

- Four (4) years or more inventory and managing expenses required

- Work in a self-directed pace with minimal supervision

- Be highly organized

- Possess excellent time management skills

- Detail oriented with excellent follow-up practices

- Excellent computer skills required

- Knowledge of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) required. Acumatica is a plus.

- Strong computer skills

- Strong mathematical skills

- Strong communication skills

- Ability to perform all duties in a working environment that may contain dust, high noise levels and work in hot and cold conditions

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Bachelor’s Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Operations or related field(s)

Pay: $28.00 - $38.00 per hour

Benefits:

• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person