Strategic Materials Planner & Analyst

Tenneco; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Tenneco in Blacksburg, VA is seeking a Material Planner/Analyst to plan, analyze, and coordinate the flow of materials to support production and customer needs. You will work with suppliers, production, scheduling, purchasing, engineering, logistics, and quality to keep material availability while controlling inventory and minimizing disruptions.

The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and proactive identification of shortages, changing demand, and supplier issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required or equivalent manufacturing experience.
• 2–3+ years in materials planning or a related supply chain role in manufacturing.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems; CPIM/CSCP certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain material plans aligned with production schedules and customer demand.
• Monitor raw material, component, and supply requirements to ensure materials are available when needed.
• Review inventory levels, usage, safety stock, lead times, and planning parameters.
• Analyze demand and usage trends and adjust material plans as requirements change.
• Identify potential material shortages and proactively coordinate actions to minimize production disruptions.
• Place and monitor purchase orders and follow up with suppliers regarding delivery commitments.
• Work directly with suppliers to resolve shortages, late deliveries, backorders, and other supply concerns.
• Monitor supplier performance, including delivery, quality, and responsiveness.
• Partner with production planners, schedulers, purchasing, logistics, engineering, and quality to resolve material flow issues.
• Maintain accurate material, purchasing, lead time, and planning information within ERP/MRP systems.
• Analyze inventory performance and supply chain KPIs and recommend opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce cost.
• Support inventory-control activities and initiatives designed to reduce excess and obsolete material.
• Assist with new-product launches and engineering changes by ensuring material readiness and accurate planning.
• Coordinate with logistics to support inbound material requirements.
• Support continuous-improvement initiatives related to material flow, inventory management, supply-chain performance, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Communicate material risks and recovery plans to appropriate plant leadership and cross‑functional teams.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Engineering

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

APICS CPIM/CSCP certification

Job description

Tenneco in Blacksburg, VA is seeking a Material Planner/Analyst to plan, analyze, and coordinate the flow of materials to support production and customer needs. You will work with suppliers, production, scheduling, purchasing, engineering, logistics, and quality to keep material availability while controlling inventory and minimizing disruptions.

The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and proactive identification of shortages, changing demand, and supplier issues.