The Senior Manager of Material Planning owns end-to-end material planning performance for the refrigeration product line, ensuring high service levels while optimizing inventory, space, and cost. This role is accountable for inventory accuracy, material availability, and planning execution to support uninterrupted operations in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
This leader drives both daily execution and long-term strategy, balancing on-hand inventory, delivery scheduling, storage utilization, and trailer fleet optimization. The role partners closely with operations, sourcing, logistics, and suppliers to anticipate demand variability, mitigate risk, and eliminate material flow disruptions.
The Senior Manager leads and develops a team responsible for planning and inventory control, while also influencing cross-functional stakeholders to implement scalable, data-driven processes. This individual champions continuous improvement initiatives that increase inventory turns, improve space utilization, reduce waste, and enhance overall supply chain performance.
PositionSenior Manager, Material Planning
LocationUSA, Louisville, KY
How You'll Create Possibilities- Head daily part inventory coverage reviews; evaluate potential production gaps and develop contingency plans when gaps arise.
- Examine, execute, and approve expedites to ensure part availability for sustained operations.
- Provide training to plant and materials personnel on materials management best practices.
- Provide oversight and coordination for work transfers and NPIs, leading balance-out efforts.
- Develop RIP reduction projects that support Hoshin goals.
- Evaluate the end-to-end supply chain for component shortages, shipment delays, and substandard inventory levels.
- Manage the supply chain aspects of project implementation in partnership with the BOM specialist.
- Analyze obsolescence and develop creative strategies to minimize impact.
- Partner with the quality team to ensure appropriate inventory coverage when parts are rejected from active inventory.
- Improve material availability to support production and customer requirements through corrective actions addressing availability and span issues, supplier responsiveness, transportation planning, and inventory management.
- Manage transportation and logistics costs to reduce inventory and drive year-over-year productivity.
- Support plant and product variable cost productivity initiatives.
- Track new components for new model introductions and block changes.
- Review Oracle requirements, LOBs, and plant inventory for discrepancies and issues.
- Collaborate with lean and material flow teams to drive best practices and synergies in storage, packaging, delivery, and overall material flow.
- Work with the team to improve safety, quality, cost, and delivery performance.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain management, or a related field, and/or equivalent manufacturing experience.
- Seven or more years of experience in manufacturing or a related field.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Proven experience applying Lean principles, tools, and practices within a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated success building, leading, and empowering high-performing cross-functional teams.
- Strong ability to independently develop, manage, and execute proactive project plans.
- Effective communicator with the ability to translate complex concepts into clear, actionable insights.
- Experience driving organizational change and fostering a collaborative, problem-solving culture.
- Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred.
- Working knowledge of Oracle or similar ERP systems.
- Proven track record of challenging the status quo and leading continuous improvement initiatives.
- Strategic mindset with the ability to pursue innovative ideas and encourage smart experimentation.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
- Hands-on manufacturing or shop floor experience strongly preferred.
- Results-driven with a focus on execution and accountability.
- Ability to motivate and inspire teams to exceed performance expectations.
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and leadership skills.
