Materials Planning Manager

Thank you for your interest in OLIPOP and for taking the time to apply for our open role(s)!Please note that our office will be closed for the holidays from December 23rd through January 2nd. During this time, we will not be reviewing applications or responding to inquiries.We appreciate your patience and understanding as there may be a delay in our response. We will resume regular operations and begin reviewing applications starting January 3rd.Wishing you a joyful OLIdays season and a happy New Year!

THE ROLE

The Materials Planning Manager will be responsible for ensuring the timely and cost-effective purchasing of raw materials and packaging for the production of our beverage products. This role will have a huge impact  on maintaining optimal inventory levels, reducing waste, and ensuring that production schedules are met. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of materials planning, strong analytical skills, and experience in the beverage or broader CPG industry.

RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Materials Planning & Procurement: Develop and maintain a robust materials planning process that ensures raw materials and packaging are available to meet production demands while optimizing inventory levels. Partner with procurement teams to establish supply contracts and negotiate with suppliers.
• Inventory Management: Monitor inventory levels of raw materials, ingredients, and packaging, ensuring the right balance between minimizing stockouts and reducing excess inventory. Develop and implement strategies to improve inventory turnover and reduce waste.
• Forecasting & Alignment: Collaborate with the finished goods planning team to ensure accurate forecasts and production schedules are aligned with material requirements. Ensure materials availability meets production timelines while accounting for changes in demand.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure consistent and reliable delivery of materials. Partner with Procurement Manager to work closely with suppliers to resolve any issues related to quality, lead times, or disruptions in the supply chain.
• Production Scheduling Support: Work closely with the production team to understand capacity, lead times, and constraints. Align material availability with production schedules to prevent delays and ensure efficient operations.
• Cost Management: Work with the finance team to track and control material costs. Identify cost-saving opportunities by optimizing purchasing, shipping, and warehousing strategies, and reducing waste.
• Supply Chain Risk Management: Identify and mitigate potential risks within the materials supply chain, including supply disruptions, price fluctuations, and quality issues. Develop contingency plans to minimize the impact on production.
• Sustainability & Compliance: Ensure materials sourcing aligns with the company’s sustainability goals, including reducing packaging waste. Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements related to food safety, packaging, and labeling.
• Process Improvement: Continuously evaluate and improve the materials planning processes to drive greater efficiency and accuracy. Implement tools and systems that improve visibility and control over the supply chain.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with R&D and commercialization teams to ensure new product launches are supported by an adequate supply of materials. Support changes in product formulations or packaging by adjusting material requirements accordingly.
• Reporting & Analytics: Maintain accurate records of material usage, inventory levels, and supplier performance. Use data analytics to track trends, predict future needs, and improve decision-making. Develop and maintain relevant and robust KPIs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 6+ years of experience in materials planning, inventory management, or supply chain management, preferably in the CPG or beverage  .
• Experience leading people strongly preferred, but not required
• Strong understanding of production processes, raw material requirements, and packaging needs within a beverage or food manufacturing environment.
• Experience working with ERP systems and supply chain planning tools (e.g., Netsuite or similar).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to drive decisions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and with suppliers.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools.
• Ability to take initiative and work autonomously – you can run with something from beginning to end.
• Works well with ambiguity and asks the right questions to get at the solution.
• Role will require occasional travel: estimated 15%

REPORTS TO: Director of Materials Planning and Productivity

COMPENSATION:

$115k - $125k base salary + bonus