Material Planner

Welch's; Waltham (MA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Paid Volunteer Time Off

401(k) Plan

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Job summary

Welch's is seeking an early-career Material Planner to join our Supply Chain Planning team at our headquarters in Waltham, MA. In this role you will develop and manage time-phased material plans to ensure the right materials are available for production while maintaining healthy inventory levels and minimizing waste.

The position follows a hybrid schedule with three days in the office and flexibility on Thursdays and Fridays.

Qualifications

• 1 to 3 years of experience in supply chain, operations, procurement, inventory management, logistics, or a related area.
• Experience with material planning, supply planning, inventory planning, or demand planning preferred.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience; strong Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain material supply plans for ingredients, packaging, or other material categories.
• Ensure materials are available to support production requirements across Welch's manufacturing network.
• Monitor inventory levels and take action to prevent shortages, production disruptions, excess inventory, and material expiration.
• Analyze slow-moving, aging, and obsolete inventory and identify opportunities to reduce waste.
• Collaborate with suppliers and third-party logistics providers to confirm forecasted material requirements can be met.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Microsoft Excel

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain

Equivalent relevant experience

Job description

Grow with Welch's!

Welch's is on a journey towards our bold ambition of being the global-leader of convenient, good for you fruit-based food and beverages. To turn this goal into a reality we need you and other exceptionally talented, agile, and innovative individuals who are eager to contribute to something extraordinary!

At Welch's, we're not just offering a job; we're inviting you to be a part of a vibrant, authentic, and inclusive culture where you not only belong, but also have the opportunity to unleash the best, most authentic version of you.

Position Summary

Welch's is looking for an early-career Material Planner to join our Supply Chain Planning team! In this role, you'll help ensure our manufacturing network has the right materials, ingredients, and packaging available at the right time---while maintaining healthy inventory levels and minimizing waste.

You’ll develop and manage time-phased material plans, monitor inventory and supplier performance, identify potential shortages or excess inventory, and partner across Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Procurement, Quality, and external suppliers to keep production moving.

This is a great opportunity for an emerging supply chain professional who is intellectually curious, enjoys solving problems, working with data, and seeing the direct impact of their decisions across a complex manufacturing network. This role reports to the Senior Manager, Supply Planning.

Where You'll Work

This role is based at our headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts, and follows a hybrid schedule. Employees work in the office three days per week, with the flexibility to work remotely on Thursdays and Fridays. Our hybrid model is designed to support collaboration, relationship-building, flexibility, and well-being.

What You'll Do

• Develop and maintain material supply plans for assigned ingredients, packaging, or other material categories
• Ensure materials are available to support production requirements across Welch's manufacturing network
• Monitor inventory levels and take action to prevent shortages, production disruptions, excess inventory, and material expiration
• Analyze slow-moving, aging, and obsolete inventory and partner with stakeholders to reduce waste and financial exposure
• Collaborate with suppliers and third-party logistics providers to confirm that forecasted material requirements can be met
• Identify and communicate potential supply or inventory risks before they affect production
• Partner with Manufacturing, Procurement, Quality, Planning, and other teams to evaluate options and resolve material constraints
• Support new product introductions, formula changes, packaging transitions, and other cross-functional initiatives
• Analyze supply, demand, inventory, and supplier data to identify trends and improvement opportunities
• Prepare data and insights for monthly planning and inventory reviews
• Help improve material-planning processes, reporting, and inventory performance

Who You Are

• An analytical problem-solver who enjoys turning data into clear actions
• Proactive and comfortable identifying potential issues before they become disruptions
• Organized and able to manage multiple priorities with urgency and accuracy
• A clear communicator who can build effective relationships with internal teams, suppliers, and external partners
• Curious and willing to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and look for better ways of working
• Detail-oriented without losing sight of broader supply chain and business priorities
• Comfortable working independently while contributing to a highly collaborative team

What You'll Need

• 1 to 3 years of experience in supply chain, operations, procurement, inventory management, logistics, or a related area
• Experience or exposure to material planning, supply planning, inventory planning, or demand planning preferred
• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, operations, analytics, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience
• Working knowledge of supply chain concepts, including forecasting, inventory management, service levels, lead times, and carrying costs
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency with Microsoft Excel
• Ability to organize data, identify risks, and communicate clear recommendations

What You'll Enjoy

• Purpose and Momentum: Join an organization with a bold vision for the future and the opportunity to help revitalize an iconic brand.

• Meaningful Impact: Step into a newly created role where your ideas, expertise, and recommendations can directly influence business decisions.

• Inclusive Culture: Be part of a workplace where you belong and are encouraged to bring your most authentic self to work.

• Passionate Community: Have a voice, share your perspective, and contribute to the success of the business.

• Hybrid Work Model: Enjoy a flexible, collaborative environment designed to support connection, well-being, and success.

• Paid Time Off and Holidays: Take time away from work to rest and recharge.

• Paid Volunteer Time Off: Receive 40 hours of paid volunteer time annually as a non-union employee.

• Development and Advancement: Access formal and informal opportunities to build your capabilities and grow your career.

• Competitive Compensation: Receive a competitive base salary and participate in an annual incentive plan.

• 401(k) Plan: Build toward your future with a generous company match.

• Flexible Benefits from Your First Day: Select the benefits that best meet your needs and preferences, including:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Health savings accounts

• Life and accident insurance

• Employee assistance programs

• Tuition reimbursement

• Additional benefits through Perks at Work

• Paid Parental and Adoption Leave: Available after 6 months of employment.

The anticipated hiring base salary range for this position is $80,000 to $90,000 annually for U.S.-based employees. This range reflects the minimum and maximum for the position across all U.S. locations, is based on a full-time work schedule, and represents Welch's good-faith estimate as of the date of this posting. Individual compensation within the range is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan.

At Welch's, we value an agile mindset, diverse perspective, and experience. If this opportunity aligns with your strengths and interests but you do not meet every qualification listed, we still strongly encourage you to apply!

Welch's is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to the prevention of employment discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability and/or military or veteran status, sexual orientation or any other action covered by federal or applicable state/local laws.

Welch's offers more than just a job - it's an opportunity to grow, innovate, and make a global impact with a passionate community.