Materials Planner

Job Title

Heartland Food Products Group is a global leader in the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry, producing low-calorie sweeteners, coffee, coffee creamers and liquid water enhancers. We manufacture and market Splenda, the #1 brand in the low-calorie sweetener category and the most recognized in the world.

We make coffee, tea and water taste better and help people live happier, healthier and longer lives by making it easy to reduce sugar.

We offer an excellent compensation and benefits package. Come grow with us! This role is 100% onsite, at the manufacturing plant in Indianapolis, IN.

Currently screening candidates; hiring for this position is not expected to take place until December 2026.

Scope

Plan and manage material requirements for ingredients, packaging, raw materials, and other production-related supplies to support manufacturing and customer demand. Maintain appropriate inventory levels by balancing material availability, lead times, production schedules, forecasts, and storage considerations. Analyze and provide data from various sources to facilitate business decisions. Interface with Purchasing, Production, Warehouse, Sales, Quality, Research & Development, Engineering, Commercialization, and IT to optimize the supply chain and support internal and external customers. Typically requires one to three years of solid business knowledge, systems analysis, and ingredient or packaging experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain material requirement plans based on production schedules, sales forecasts, customer demand, inventory levels, and supplier lead times.
• Review inventory levels, material consumption, open purchase orders, and production requirements to identify replenishment needs.
• Determine order quantities and required delivery dates using lead times, reorder points, safety stock, minimum order quantities, and other planning parameters, as applicable.
• Coordinate material requirements and delivery timing with Suppliers to support production schedules and prevent material shortages.
• Monitor material availability and communicate potential shortages, late deliveries, excess inventory, or obsolete inventory to appropriate stakeholders.
• Work with Production and Warehouse teams to align material availability with production schedules and address changes in demand, production priorities, or inventory conditions.
• Adjust material plans as needed in response to changes in forecasts, sales orders, production schedules, supplier performance, quality issues, or material consumption.
• Support the isolation and diagnosis of material-related problems, including root cause analysis and corrective-action follow-up.
• Use ERP systems for material requirements planning, inventory management, order entry, and reporting.
• Maintain accurate planning-related data in the ERP system, including item planning parameters and material requirements, in accordance with established governance processes.
• Support Item and Vendor Master Governance processes and the addition of new items and vendors in a centralized ERP system.
• Analyze inventory, demand, supply, and supplier performance data to identify planning opportunities and support business decisions.
• Support optimization through the right material, right quantity, and right timing approach.
• Work with Commercialization on material delivery timelines for new products, packaging changes, and other initiatives.
• Partner with Quality, Research & Development, Engineering, and Purchasing to support material specifications, changes, and supply continuity.
• Provide support to the Purchasing Manager for material planning, inventory management, and supply chain improvement initiatives.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time and interact with computers, telephone and other electronic media.
• Must possess visual acuity to document company records.
• Must be able to work extended hours, such as daily overtime and an occasional weekend.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, major in Supply Chain Management, Purchasing, Operations, or related discipline preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in material planning, inventory management, procurement, manufacturing, or a related supply chain function preferred.
• Experience with material requirements planning (MRP), inventory planning, or production planning preferred.
• Understanding of ingredients, packaging, MRO, and raw materials, including reading specifications, understanding drawings, and knowledge of end-use applications preferred.
• Knowledge of ERP business systems and material planning or inventory management processes.
• Strong analytical and forecasting skills to balance material supply and demand.
• Ability to analyze inventory, consumption, production, and supplier lead-time information.
• Adaptability and flexibility in a fast-changing environment.
• Accountability for completion of assigned tasks and achievement of associated milestones.
• Advanced computer skills, including ERP systems, BI, Access, and Excel, to support data analysis.
• Project management and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for coordinating with suppliers and cross-functional internal teams.