Materials Planning Specialist

Industrial Electric Mfg. (IEM); Surrey; On-site; CAD 48,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Industrial Electric Mfg. (IEM) in Surrey, BC, is hiring a Materials Planning Specialist, MRS, to establish and refine material replenishment strategies in our lean production environment.

The role reports to the Material Replenishment Supervisor and collaborates across Production, Fabrication, and Planning to implement PFEP, Kanban, JIT, and FIFO systems on the shop floor. The ideal candidate will lead the buildout of lean material processes, work 100% in-office in Surrey, and drive continuous

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or a related field.
• 1–4 years of manufacturing experience with materials management, operations planning, or production support.
• Foundational understanding of lean principles (5S, value stream mapping, Kanban, PFEP).
• Experience with ERP systems (Infor preferred) and material tracking.
• Strong communication and project management skills across departments.
• Demonstrated initiative and willingness to grow into a leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Lean material replenishment system development from design to implementation.
• Collaborate with Production, Fabrication, Planning, and Warehouse to align processes.
• Improve part staging, kitting, and ensure ERP transactions and cycle count accuracy.
• Champion lean transformation and develop visual management tools.
• Train staff on lean material systems and document standard work.

Skills

Communication

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem-solving

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering / Supply Chain / Operations Management

Tools

Infor ERP

Job description

At IEM, we’re not just building innovative electrical distribution systems, we’re shaping the future. IEM is dedicated to delivering world‑class solutions for complex power needs. After 75 years, we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute, grow, and make a lasting impact on industries that power the world’s most dynamic markets.

Position Overview

IEM is currently seeking a Materials Planning Specialist, MRS for our Surrey, BC location and will report into the Material Replenishment Supervisor. The Materials Planning Specialist, MRS will play a key role in establishing and refining the material replenishment strategies that support IEM Surrey’s lean production system. This individual will be responsible for designing and implementing material flow processes aligned with principles such as Kanban, PFEP, JIT, and FIFO. Ownership of any changes, updates, or continuous improvements to the PFEP, material flow strategy, or replenishment system falls within the MRS team, and this role will be central to building out that ownership model and workflow to clearly define responsibilities between the MRS team and operational execution on the floor. This role will also serve as a cross‑functional liaison among Production, Supply Chain, and Fabrication to ensure successful adoption and execution of these systems.

This position offers the opportunity to lead the foundational buildout of lean materials processes and develop broad operational knowledge in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

Please note:

This position requires 100% in-office presence in our Surrey, BC offices and does not offer remote work.

Key Responsibilities

• Lean Material Replenishment System Development
  • Design, pilot, and implement lean material replenishment systems including Kanban, PFEP, JIT, and visual replenishment strategies
  • Develop and maintain point‑of‑use (POU) inventory solutions to reduce material travel and downtime
• Cross‑Functional Process Alignment
  • Collaborate closely with Production, Fabrication, Planning, and Warehouse teams to align material delivery processes with work center needs
  • Lead regular reviews and kaizen events to identify gaps and drive standardization
• Kitting, Staging, and Inventory Accuracy
  • Work with warehouse and production staff to improve part staging and kitting processes in support of work center schedules
  • Ensure accurate ERP transactions, drive cycle count integrity, and support real‑time inventory visibility
• Continuous Improvement and Lean Culture
  • Serve as a champion for lean transformation efforts related to materials flow and planning
  • Develop and standardize visual management tools to support tiered daily management
• Training and Change Management
  • Train key personnel on lean material systems and practices
  • Document standard work and facilitate knowledge transfer across shifts and departments

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or a relevant degree program
• 1 to 4 years of experience in a manufacturing environment with exposure to materials management, operations planning, or production support; internships or co‑op experience will be considered
• Foundational understanding of lean principles such as 5S, value stream mapping, Kanban, and PFEP
• Experience working with ERP systems (Infor preferred) and material tracking solutions
• Effective communication and project management skills with an ability to collaborate across multiple departments
• Demonstrated initiative and drive to improve processes, with a willingness to learn and grow into a larger leadership role

Compensation actually offered for this role will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long‑term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. [Compensation Range: $35.10 – $43.27]

Why Join IEM

At IEM, you’ll join a team that powers some of the world’s most ambitious projects. We’re engineers, makers, and problem‑solvers who thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions that keep industries moving forward. If you’re driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you. Your creativity and passion can help us achieve great things—come be part of the journey.

Learn more about IEM at https://www.iemfg.com

We offer comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' well‑being, growth, and long‑term success. View a snapshot of our benefits at https://www.iemfg.com/careers

Non-Discrimination Statement

IEM does not discriminate against any applicant based on any characteristic protected by law.

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