Manager, Global Materials Planning

Position Summary

The Manager, Global Materials Planning is responsible for leading the planning, coordination, and management of global material supply operations across external manufacturing partners and suppliers. This role ensures material availability, supplier performance, quality compliance, and seamless collaboration between internal stakeholders and third-party manufacturers to support business objectives, customer demand, and operational excellence.

The incumbent will oversee supplier relationships, drive issue resolution, manage planning activities, and lead a team responsible for ensuring materials are sourced, planned, and delivered effectively while maintaining quality, cost, and service expectations.

Key Responsibilities

Global Materials Planning & Supply Management

• Lead global materials planning activities to ensure timely availability of raw materials and components to support production requirements.
• Develop and execute materials planning strategies that align with business demand forecasts and operational objectives.
• Monitor inventory levels, supply risks, and capacity constraints to maintain continuity of supply.
• Drive proactive resolution of material shortages, supply disruptions, and delivery issues.

Supplier & External Manufacturing Management

• Manage strategic relationships with suppliers and external manufacturing partners.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the company and third-party manufacturers to ensure operational alignment and execution.
• Oversee supplier performance, delivery commitments, quality standards, and compliance requirements.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard potential suppliers while assessing operational capabilities and financial stability.
• Lead supplier selection, quotation reviews, and vendor evaluation processes.

Quality, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure suppliers and manufacturing partners comply with company quality standards, regulatory requirements, and applicable industry practices.
• Collaborate with Quality, Sourcing, Product Supply, and Operations teams to resolve technical, quality, and compliance issues.
• Establish and maintain processes that minimize supply chain risks and improve supplier reliability.
• Support the development and maintenance of supplier documentation, operational guidelines, and supplier manuals.

Team Leadership & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Lead, coach, and develop a team responsible for global materials planning and supplier management activities.
• Set team priorities, allocate resources, and monitor performance against business objectives.
• Partner with cross-functional teams including Sourcing, Product Development, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, Finance, and Quality to drive business outcomes.
• Influence decision-making through data-driven insights, recommendations, and effective stakeholder engagement.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve planning processes, supplier performance, inventory efficiency, and operational effectiveness.
• Lead initiatives that drive cost optimization, service improvement, and enhanced supply chain resilience.
• Utilize data analysis and planning tools to support decision-making and performance management.

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• Equivalent experience in a relevant industry may be considered in lieu of a degree, subject to business requirements.

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in supply chain, materials planning, sourcing, manufacturing operations, or related functions.
• Minimum 2 years of people leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience working with global suppliers and external manufacturing partners is preferred.
• Proven track record managing complex supply chain challenges and cross-functional projects.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of materials planning, inventory management, supplier management, and supply chain operations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make decisions in complex and ambiguous situations.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across diverse functions and global teams.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated leadership capability in driving team performance and talent development.
• High level of multicultural awareness and ability to work effectively in a global environment.

Leadership & Decision-Making

Problem Solving

• Resolves complex operational and supply chain issues requiring advanced analysis and judgment.
• Identifies root causes and develops practical, sustainable solutions based on data, experience, and business priorities.
• Provides guidance and recommendations that influence medium- to long-term business outcomes.

Influence & Collaboration

• Communicates complex information effectively to diverse audiences.
• Builds alignment and gains cooperation across functions, regions, and external partners.
• Adapts communication style to effectively engage stakeholders at various organizational levels.

Accountability

• Accountable for achieving departmental objectives related to material availability, supplier performance, cost, quality, and service.
• Manages team performance, workforce planning, development, and performance reviews.
• Ensures effective use of resources and responsible management of operational costs.
• Contributes to both operational excellence and strategic supply chain initiatives that support business growth.