Materials Planner

A. O. Smith; Ashland City (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A. O. Smith is seeking a Senior Material Planner to lead complex material planning and purchasing across multiple manufacturing locations. You will optimize inventory, balance working capital and customer service, and drive supply chain performance initiatives.

Responsibilities include maintaining SAP planning parameters, analyzing requirements and capacity, and leading cross-functional projects to improve planning processes. APICS CPIM is preferred; 5+ years in similar roles is expected.

Qualifications

• Experience leading material planning and purchasing for complex portfolios.
• Advanced SAP planning and master data management experience.
• Strong knowledge of MRP, Kanban, safety stock, and replenishment.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and purchasing across units and locations.
• Maintain SAP master data and planning parameters.
• Analyze requirements and capacity to ensure material availability.
• Develop inventory optimization strategies balancing working capital and service levels.
• Lead supplier shortages resolutions and risk planning.

Skills

Material planning

Inventory optimization

Supply chain analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations, or related field

APICS/ASCM CPIM certification (preferred)

Tools

SAP Planning

SAP Purchasing

Job description

Company / Location Information

A.O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with approximately 12,000 employees at operations in the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Primary Function

Lead complex material planning and purchasing activities across suppliers, product lines, business units, or manufacturing locations while driving inventory optimization, process improvement, and supply chain performance initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and purchasing activities for complex material portfolios, business units, or multiple manufacturing locations.
• Maintain advanced planning parameters and master-data strategy within SAP.
• Analyze supply requirements and capacity constraints to ensure material availability.
• Develop inventory optimization strategies that balance working capital, customer service, and operational risk.
• Lead resolution of critical supplier shortages and supply disruptions.
• Evaluate supplier performance trends and coordinate corrective actions with sourcing teams.
• Drive engineering change management and product transition activities.
• Develop and implement material planning process improvements and identify automation opportunities.
• Lead inventory reduction initiatives targeting excess and obsolete inventory.
• Analyze planning metrics, interpret business impact, and provide recommendations to management.
• Support SIOP and supply review processes by providing supply-risk assessments and planning insights.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for SAP planning functionality and inventory planning methodologies.
• Lead cross-functional projects involving supply chain optimization and process standardization.
• Coach and mentor junior planners while providing technical guidance.
• Support organizational initiatives including centralization, standardization, and operational excellence programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in material planning, purchasing, inventory management, or supply chain operations.
• Advanced experience with SAP planning and purchasing systems.
• APICS/ASCM CPIM certification strongly preferred.
• Expert knowledge of MRP, inventory management, safety stock, Kanban, and replenishment methodologies.