Strategic Materials Planning Leader

Conagra Brands; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 109,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Bonus incentive

401(k) matching

Stock purchase plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

Conagra Brands seeks a Strategic Material Planning Manager to lead forward‑looking planning for raw materials, packaging, and semi‑finished goods across Refrigerated and Frozen networks. You will guide a team of planners, translate demand into material requirements, and partner with procurement, supply planning, and manufacturing to balance service, inventory, and margins.

The role emphasizes strategic leadership, continuous improvement, and multi-site collaboration to reduce waste and ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or a related field preferred.
• Seven or more years of material planning, supply chain, or manufacturing experience.
• Strong knowledge of plant operations, sourcing, material planning, MRP, inventory, and supply exceptions.
• Proficiency with SAP, Excel, Teams, reporting, and data-visualization tools; Blue Yonder experience preferred.
• Familiarity with AI, generative AI, workflow automation, and digital planning tools.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, prioritization, and decision-making skills.
• Clear communication and cross-functional leadership with business leaders, suppliers, and external manufacturers.
• Experience leading teams, coaching employees, and managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing, new product introductions, and material transitions.

Responsibilities

• Translate enterprise strategy into measurable operational goals.
• Develop short‑and long‑term strategies for non‑finished and semi‑finished goods materials across Conagra and co‑manufacturing sites.
• Lead critical‑material risk assessment, mitigation, accountability, recovery dates, and impact‑based escalations.
• Assess 12‑ to 18‑month supplier and internal capacity, identify constraints early, and mitigate exposed materials.
• Resolve non‑finished and semi‑finished goods material supply issues with planners, Conagra plants, co‑manufacturers, and suppliers.
• Balance planning and replenishment to optimize service, cost, and working capital.
• Partner with stakeholders to strengthen material risk management and margins.
• Reduce inventory and waste while improving service.
• Translate forecast changes into material requirements, projected orders, and coverage impacts.
• Analyze supplier service failures, identify root causes, and partner with Procurement on corrective actions and sourcing decisions.
• Confirm sourcing, availability, lead times, planning settings, and transition risks for product and specification changes.
• Govern lead times, order quantities, lot sizes, safety stock, calendars, and replenishment settings.
• Monitor inventory, waste, and write‑off risks, correct root causes, and balance reductions with service.
• Lead recurring planning reviews and document decisions, owners, dates, and follow‑ups.
• Advance planning systems, automate analysis, improve data quality, and strengthen decision support.
• Communicate, collaborate, and lead change in a dynamic market.
• Lead direct reports by removing barriers and supporting career development.
• Coach analysts, set priorities and coverage, build capability, and foster accountability.

Skills

SAP

Excel

Teams

data-visualization

AI

problem solving

communication

leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or related field

Seven+ years experience in material planning, supply chain, or manufacturing

Tools

Blue Yonder

Job description

Conagra Brands seeks a Strategic Material Planning Manager to lead forward‑looking planning for raw materials, packaging, and semi‑finished goods across Refrigerated and Frozen networks. You will guide a team of planners, translate demand into material requirements, and partner with procurement, supply planning, and manufacturing to balance service, inventory, and margins.

The role emphasizes strategic leadership, continuous improvement, and multi-site collaboration to reduce waste and ensure