Distribution Planning Manager

Messer North America, Inc.; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Messer North America, Inc. is seeking a Planning and Scheduling leader to optimize plant and field distribution planning in the US.

You will drive scheduling best practices, monitor KPIs, and coordinate with customers, sales, and logistics to ensure reliable supply chains and cost-effective operations across regions. The role requires 5-7 years in dispatch/scheduling, GOLD/Midas and Digital Deliver proficiency, and proven leadership with the ability to mentor teams and manage change in a dynamic

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, logistics, or supply chain management.
• 5-7 years' experience in dispatch, scheduling, or transportation/logistics.
• GOLD/Midas experience and Digital Deliver proficiency required.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities; capable of managing change.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop and drive scheduling and service best practices within the National Scheduling Center.
• Ensure compliance with standard distribution procedures and KPIs.
• Coordinate with field locations and distribution planners to optimize resource use.
• Distribute daily workload and maintain shift schedules for the team.
• Serve as first line escalation point for distribution issues and customer impact.
• Collaborate with logistics, sales, and quality teams to align on priorities.
• Develop staff through PMP processes and targeted training.

Skills

GOLD/Midas experience

Digital Deliver proficiency

Project/initiative management

Analytical skills

Mentoring and training

Leadership experience

Change management

Flex scheduling availability

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, logistics, or supply chain management

Tools

GOLD/Midas

Digital Deliver

Job description

Messer is the world's largest privately held industrial gases company and what we do matters because it is woven into every part of life, from the medical gases that patients rely on to the essential elements needed to safely and sustainably produce the goods our communities depend on.

The true strength of Messer is our people—at every level and in every role.

Join us and take pride in the impact you will make by providing solutions essential to our world and lives. Reach your highest potential at our stable, inclusive company with diverse opportunities in a growing industry, supported by people who care.

Messer stands apart because we put what matters first, and you matter.

Planning and Organizing

• Identifies, develops and drives scheduling and service best practice initiatives inside the National Scheduling Center and with the other function of Supply Chain Planning and the Regional Sales organization.
• Ensures compliance with standard distribution procedures.
• Works with Distribution KPI’s and other scorecards to maximize continuous improvement efforts in reducing cost to serve at an agreed minimum service level.
• Assist the Director of National Scheduling Center in strategic resource planning, and motivates their direct team members to meet or exceed business KPIs and targets
• Collaborates with all Supply functions, Sales, HSEQ and field locations to regularly evaluate the most efficient way to schedule and dispatch the distribution resources within each merchant region
• Coordinate with field locations and distribution planners to fulfill Take-or-Pay obligations
• Coordinate with the field locations and distribution planners to execute outage plans and competitive product clearances
• Manage tactical communication and execution with Regional Sales and customers to ensure continuous customer supply
• Ensure product quality adherence and support Central quality on during any quality deviation
• Collaborate cross functionally to support customer supply plans for future growth or new customers; including but not limited to tank sizing, resource requirements, quality, etc.

Day-to-Day Operations

• Manages emergency or upset conditions with plants or customers for their regional merchant team
• Distributes daily workload and maintains shift schedules of direct team members
• Serve as first line management escalation point to resolve customer or field distribution related issues
• Collaborates with logistics and regional management using proprietary software, monitors all internal and external levels of service, capacity, and key performance indicators (KPIs) used in the measurement of customer satisfaction
• Works closely with key-account customers, central transport, sales, product management, and process operations to collaborate regularly on a range of customer priorities, implications and initiatives.

People Management

• Responsible for all managerial aspects and personnel administration for their Distribution Planning Team
• Involved in recruiting and orientation for vacant positions
• Trains develops, motivates and guides all distribution planners in the use of all systems and tools
• Identifies training requirements for distribution planners
• Inspires Messer behavioral competencies, and customer ownership within distribution planners
• Cascades own goals and works with distribution planners in creating their development plan via the PMP process.

Additional Accountabilities

• Maintain safety standards; support Opex targets
• Increased level of customer and employee satisfaction
• Continuous process improvement and implementation of best operating practices
• Demonstration of ACTS competencies
• Optimal use of technology and systems
• Development of staff
• Ability to manage other project-oriented activities, for example, tube trailer scheduling, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills:

• 3-5 years of GOLD/Midas experience and Digital Deliver proficiency required
• Expert User of essential National Scheduling Center tools
• Demonstrated skills in project/initiative management
• Strong analytical skills, math aptitude necessary and communication skills needed
• Strong mentoring and training skills
• Demonstrated capability to lead formulation and execution of improvement initiatives
• Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt skills are a plus
• Minimum of 2-3 years of demonstrated leadership, forging good working relationships with team members and other functional areas as well as proven track record in managing change
• Availability to work flexible schedule (one weekend every six weeks is required)

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, logistics, or supply chain managements
• At least 5-7 years' experience in dispatch, scheduling, or transportation/logistics

About Messer:

Messer's safety culture, commitment to providing dependable supply and innovative gas technology solutions help customers unlock opportunities to be safer, more sustainable, more productive and more efficient, so their business thrives. We nurture lasting, meaningful relationships with customers, our communities, and with one another.

We offer comprehensive benefits and appreciable pay, with steady schedules and opportunities for ongoing training and career progression. We prioritize and invest in our people at every level of our organization – the dedication, knowledge, customer focus and entrepreneurial spirit of our employees is what make Messer refreshingly different.

If you need assistance with the application or would like to request accommodation, call [phone].

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.