Strategic Material Planner: On-Time Production & Inventory

The Lion Brewery; Pittston (Luzerne County); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lion Brewery is seeking a Material Planner in the United States to ensure timely material availability, coordinate releases for production, and manage inventory data in our ERP system. You will collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to own the full lifecycle of materials from forecasting to delivery.

Typical duties include reviewing MRP requirements, scheduling, cycle counts, and variance analysis, while upholding GMP and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or related field.
• 2–5 years of material planning, inventory management, or manufacturing experience.
• Experience with an industry-standard ERP system (SAP etc.).

Responsibilities

• Review MRP-generated requirements and determine accurate quantities for all direct materials, packaging, and related components.
• Release, schedule, and track material deliveries to ensure on-time availability for production.
• Work closely with Production, to ensure material plans align with operational needs.
• Maintain accurate inventory levels through routine cycle counting, reconciliation, and variance analysis.
• Investigate and resolve material discrepancies, waste, losses, and usage variances.
• Monitor inventory trends, slow movers, and potential shortages; proactively communicate risks and solutions.
• Support inventory optimization initiatives to reduce carrying costs and minimize obsolete or excess stock.
• Ensure materials are properly set up, stored, staged, and controlled in alignment with safety, quality, and GMP requirements.
• Perform routine ERP/MRP maintenance including production order closures, inventory adjustments, and monthly reporting.
• Enter, verify, and maintain accurate material data, bills of materials, and purchasing information.
• Create and update SOPs, training documents, and process guidelines related to material planning and inventory management.
• Maintain positive and productive relationships with suppliers to ensure reliable delivery performance.
• Support sourcing decisions through vendor research, competitive quoting, and component analysis.
• Partner with suppliers on material defect investigations and corrective actions.
• Own the full lifecycle of materials: forecasting, ordering, receiving, inventory control, usage, variance resolution, and implementation of new or revised materials.
• Contribute to department and plant-level goals focused on reducing losses, improving reliability, and enhancing overall supply chain performance.
• Demonstrate company values and maintain compliance with all procurement, conduct, safety, and GMP policies.

Skills

ERP knowledge

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business or Supply Chain

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

The Lion Brewery is seeking a Material Planner in the United States to ensure timely material availability, coordinate releases for production, and manage inventory data in our ERP system. You will collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to own the full lifecycle of materials from forecasting to delivery.

Typical duties include reviewing MRP requirements, scheduling, cycle counts, and variance analysis, while upholding GMP and safety standards.