Material Planning Manager

Truck Lite; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Truck-Lite Co., LLC seeks a Materials Planning Leader to manage and develop a team of Materials Planners, ensuring timely material availability to support production schedules and customer demand.

The role emphasizes driving inventory performance, cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Purchasing, Customer Service, Sales, and Engineering, and proactive resolution of supply risks in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or preferred in a related field.
• 5+ years in materials planning, supply chain, inventory management in manufacturing.
• Leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to lead teams, manage priorities, and drive results in fast-paced manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of MRP/ERP systems and supply chain principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Materials Planners; drive accountability and continuous improvement.
• Set priorities and ensure consistent execution of planning processes across the team.
• Monitor team performance and provide feedback and development opportunities.
• Manage material availability to support production schedules and customer demand.
• Balance service levels, inventory investment, and material availability to drive inventory performance.
• Identify and resolve shortages and supply risks and communicate recovery plans.

Skills

Materials planning

Leadership

MRP/ERP

Inventory management

Cross-functional coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management/related field

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

Inventory optimization software

Job description

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship. We do not offer visa sponsorship, transfers, or immigration-related employment support for this role.

About Truck-Lite At Truck-Lite Co., LLC, a Clarience Technologies company, we are driven by our C.L.E.A.R. Principles:

• Curiosity – Look for a better way as a solutions-oriented problem solver.
• Leadership – Take ownership and be the catalyst of change.
• Enthusiasm – Be motivated and passionate about your work.
• Accountability – Deliver on commitments and act with integrity.
• Respect – Be present, listen, and engage with inclusive, open, honest, and direct communication.

Essential Job Functions With or without reasonable accommodation, the successful candidate will perform the following functions: Responsibilities include:

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Materials Planners while fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Establish priorities, balance workload, and ensure consistent execution of planning processes across the team.
• Monitor team performance through key metrics and provide regular performance feedback and development opportunities.

Planning & Inventory Management

• Manage material availability to support production schedules and customer demand through effective planning and purchase order management.
• Drive inventory performance by balancing service levels, inventory investment, and material availability.
• Identify and resolve material shortages, supply risks, and inventory concerns while communicating recovery plans to stakeholders.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Partner with Operations, Purchasing, Customer Service, Sales, Engineering, and suppliers to support business requirements and customer commitments.
• Escalate and resolve issues impacting production schedules, inventory objectives, or customer delivery performance.
• Provide updates, recommendations, and visibility to leadership regarding key planning and supply risks.

Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and report key planning metrics including inventory, shortages, supplier performance, and customer service levels.
• Drive process improvements that enhance planning effectiveness, inventory management, and operational efficiency.
• Support ERP system improvements, data accuracy initiatives, and planning process standardization.

Position requires compliance with the Technology Control Plan and the Federal Export and Control Policy established for the Corporation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in materials planning, supply chain, inventory management, or a related manufacturing environment.
• Prior leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage priorities, solve problems, and drive results in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of MRP/ERP systems, inventory management, and supply chain principles.

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility Truck-Lite Co., LLC. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a culturally diverse workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Reasonable Accommodation Statement If you require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or to perform essential job functions, please contact Cindy Franklin, Human Resources Manager at cfranklin@Truck Lite.com or 716-486-0116. We are committed to ensuring equal access and opportunity for all applicants. Additional Information Due to ITAR and EAR regulations, all candidates must be classified as a “U.S. Person,” which includes U.S. citizens, permanent legal residents (green card holders), or protected individuals (refugee/asylum status).