Job Description
Supply Planner – Indirect Warehouse
Reports to: VP of Operations
To plan, manage, and optimize the supply of indirect materials (i.e. not raw ingredients that go into food, but the supporting materials, parts, maintenance supplies, utilities, etc.) into the warehouse to ensure smooth operations, cost efficiency, and minimal stockouts or overstock situations.
Responsibilities
Planning & Forecasting
- Develop forecasts of demand for indirect materials based on historical usage, maintenance schedules, and planned capital or repair projects
- Establish reorder points, safety stocks, and reorder quantities for indirect items
- Use MRP (Materials Requirements Planning) or planning tools to generate proposed purchase requirements
Inventory Management & Control
- Monitor inventory levels, aging, slow-moving items, and manage cycle counts
- Perform stock reconciliation and variance analysis
- Classify indirect materials by criticality, usage rate, and value (e.g. ABC / XYZ)
Procurement & Supplier Coordination
- Liaise with procurement to initiate purchase orders for indirect materials on time and in full
- Monitor supplier performance (on-time, in-full, quality)
- Negotiate lead times, delivery frequencies, and terms for indirect supplies
Warehouse Coordination & Material Flow
- Coordinate with warehouse operations to ensure inbound deliveries are processed, stored, and made available to internal users
- Ensure appropriate storage, labeling, handling, and documentation of indirect materials
- Optimize material flow and warehouse layout for efficiency
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with maintenance, engineering, facilities, production, and operations to understand upcoming needs
- Communicate changes, shortages, or constraints to relevant stakeholders
- Participate in planning meetings (e.g. supply review, maintenance planning)
Data Analysis & Reporting
- Generate and analyze KPIs (e.g. stock turnover, fill rate, days of inventory, stockouts)
- Produce weekly, monthly, or quarterly reports on inventory status, trends, variances
- Use data to recommend improvements or adjustments to policies
Cost Management & Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities for cost savings (bulk orders, vendor consolidation, alternative materials)
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives in planning, inventory handling, and supply chain processes
- Review slow-moving or obsolete stock and manage disposals or reallocation
Risk Management
- Identify risks around supplier reliability, lead time variability, and critical spare parts shortages
- Develop mitigation plans (safety buffers, alternate suppliers)
Qualifications and Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Logistics, Business, or a related field
- 2+ years of experience in supply planning, materials planning, or inventory management (especially for indirect / MRO items)
- Proficiency in ERP / planning systems, MRP, Excel (pivot tables, data analysis)
- Strong analytical skills, attention to detail
- Good understanding of procurement, warehouse operations, and materials handling
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work cross-functionally and influence without direct authority
- Problem-solving mindset, proactive, with continuous improvement orientation