Lead Associate - Material Planning - Pune - US shift

Job Description

Role Purpose:

The Material Planning Manager is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of material planning, procurement and Logistics. This role ensures timely availability of material for timely customer order fulfilment through effective planning, procurement and Logistics.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the Operations function and team for the client. Manage the team effectively to deliver key daily procurement and Logistics transactions
• Drive critical communication with suppliers and client stakeholders to resolve stockouts, order and fulfilment issues, PO expedites and timely deliveries
• Execution of designed inventory levels to ensure optimal service-levels, minimal stock-outs, and minimal excess/obsolete inventory
• Collaborate with manufacturing/operations, suppliers, 3PLs, customers to ensure robust execution of Supply Plan
• Identify and drive continuous improvement initiatives in the material planning and logistics processes
• Drive MBR and QBR discussions with the clients, present and discuss key issues
• Responsible to ensure performance criteria are met for the agreed and baselined SLAs and KPIs
• Use ERP/MRP tools (e.g., SAP, Oracle, JDE) to maintain accurate material master data, ensure data integrity and drive automation/efficiency
• Lead and coach a team of material planners, set KPIs and monitor performance
• Provide regular reports and dashboards to senior management on material planning performance: inventory status, supply risks, cost impacts, efficiency improvements
• Support new product launches, plant expansions or product discontinuations: plan and execute material phase-in/phase-out strategies

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Chemical Engineering, Production/Industrial Engineering, Business or related field.
• Master’s degree or MBA preferred
• Minimum 8-12 years of progressive experience in material planning / supply chain planning for manufacturing or distribution
• At least 3-5 years of experience in a managerial or leadership role
• Strong familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (for example SAP, Oracle, JDE) and advanced Excel/data-analysis skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage inventory, planning and supply-chain optimization
• Excellent analytical, communication, interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
• Demonstrable experience in continuous-improvement initiatives (e.g., lean/six sigma, process automation) is a plus
• Strong business acumen and ability to translate supply-chain metrics into business impact (cost savings, working capital reduction, service improvement)
• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, respond to change, escalate and manage issues proactively.

Skills & Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with hands-on drive
• Strong team leader: can mentor, develop and lead planners/analysts
• Excellent problem solving and decision-making capability under time pressure
• Effective communicator – able to influence and collaborate across functions and with external suppliers
• Highly organized and efficient, with attention to detail, but also able to see the “big picture” of material flow from supplier to customer
• Comfortable working with metrics, dashboards, data and driving continuous improvement culture

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Chemical Engineering, Production/Industrial Engineering, Business or related field. Master’s degree or MBA preferred.