Job Title: Materials Planner

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Department: Supply Planning
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

We are a global leader in food & beverage ingredients. Pioneers at heart, we operate at the forefront of consumer trends to provide food & beverage manufacturers with products and ingredients that will delight their consumers. Making a positive impact on people and planet is all part of the delight. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable and transparent supply. Supplying products and ingredients at scale is just the start. We add value through our unique, complementary portfolio of natural, delicious and nutritious products. With our fresh thinking, we help our customers unleash the sensory and functional attributes of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices so they can create naturally good food & beverage products that meet consumer expectations. And whoever we’re with, whatever we’re doing, we always make it real.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Supply Chain Planner, the Materials Planner is responsible for all operations required to load the warehouses with inventory necessary to meet the approved monthly supply plan.  These activities include, and not limited to, metric development & reporting, inventory levels & controls, scheduling of inbound deliveries and removing of supplier holds. The Materials Planner will oversee the receiving and tracking of materials and ingredients.  The ideal candidate for this role will be able to prioritize multiple tasks while demonstrating great awareness for attention to detail. They must be able to work well independently and within a team environment.

Position Responsibilities

• Create, and coordinate, purchase order receipts to ensure materials are received per timing identified in approved materials requirements plan.
• Collaborate with strategic sourcing team to identify potential cost savings projects.
• Work with cross functional group to ensure item master data is always up to date.
• Ensure materials and ingredients are being consumed in accordance w/ approved supply plans, perform root cause when variations occur and communicate assumed risk as needed.
• Develop process around managing to and updating inventory levels (WOH/DOH), based on latest trends and item changes/updates/transitions.
• Monitor item revisions and ensure coordinated and running changes are managed properly to avoid obsolescence. 
• In event of obsolescent inventory, work with Procurement/other team(s) and suppliers on recommendations/solutions to remove inventory from warehouses.
• Issue purchase orders on vendors as required.
• Request new material numbers and manage soft/hard conversions of label changes.
• Work with Procurement team and materials’ suppliers to ensure MOQ doesn’t compromise inventory policies.
• Interact with plant on planned vs. actual usage of materials and keep inventory stocked.
• Develop monthly performance scorecards to measure supplier accountability and conduct no less than quarterly business reviews with suppliers to ensure performance meets/exceeds ofi business requirements.
• Analyze and report significant vendor delivery problems to the department manager and strategic Procurement team.
• Research & resolve purchase order/billing/receiving/delivery discrepancies.
• Manage purchase orders to ensure no orders are past due and stock outs are w/in tolerance.
• Review lead times, minimum order requirements, shelf-life, and usage to determine order frequency and maintain lean inventory system.
• Coordinate with sales team to build demand plan to be used to finalize material purchases.
• Assist in production planning as required.
• This role may be responsible for procurement of
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Position Requirements

• High School diploma required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred. 
• One - Three (1 - 3) years materials planner job experience required. 
• Previous experience in food manufacturing is preferred. 
• Experience in production, inventory control, production reporting, physical inventory, reconciliation and database control is preferred.
• Excellent ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal, with all levels of employees and customers.
• Ability to solve complex problems and present effective and efficient solutions in a clear and concise manner to management is required.
• Thorough understanding of company products and logistics is required. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills is required.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel, PowerPoint & Word.
• SAP experience strongly preferred. 

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

ofi provides equality of opportunity for all persons with respect to hiring without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. All employment will be decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us for support at: [email protected]

At ofi, we celebrate our diversity. Olam Americas Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.