Global Raw Material Planner

Global Raw Material Planner

New Era Cap, LLC. is an international lifestyle brand headquartered in Buffalo, NY with an authentic sports heritage that dates back over 100 years. Best known for being the official on-field cap for MLB, official sideline cap for NFL, and official on-court cap for NBA, New Era Cap is the brand of choice not only for its headwear collection, but also for its accessories and apparel lines for men, women and youth. The brand is worn as a symbol of self-expression by athletes, artists and some of the most interesting people around the globe. New Era Cap encourages people to truly express their personal style and individuality through its products.

Since 1920, this family-owned business has hired employees who are masters of their craft. We are innovators, architects of culture, experts, and forward thinkers. We demand excellence because we pride ourselves on the quality of our products and the authenticity of our brand.

Interested in working with us? Check out this exciting opportunity at New Era Cap's Headquarters (HQ) building located in downtown Buffalo, NY. This role is 100% on-site, encouraging employees to collaborate and connect in person five days a week. HQ offers an inviting atmosphere, complete with an on-site café, fitness center, and Flagship store.

Apply to join New Era's team! The Global Raw Material Planner forecasts and manages the fabrics and material components used in New Era's headwear and apparel products. The planner partners closely with Global Production, Sourcing, Merchandising, and License Management teams to ensure accurate materials are available for seasonal, licensed, and custom programs. This role goes beyond basic planning to drive process improvements, deliver meaningful data insights, and actively manage material life cycles so global production stays on track.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate Global Raw Material Planning activities
• Analyze and create accurate fabric forecasts (e.g. yards, color, and finish) and material component forecasts to support global headwear and apparel production
• Utilize internal line-level forecasts and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems, along with trend information, to develop demand plans
• Consolidate global requirements weekly and communicate them clearly to each Raw Material Supplier
• Work closely with Merchandising, License Management, Production, and Sourcing teams globally to align on demand forecasts
• Maintain and refine consumption and forecast accuracy reporting data monthly within Excel and other analytical tools
• Support headwear and apparel production calendars, accounting for dye, finishing, and transit lead times
• Manage Inventory and Material Life Cycles
• Review global supplier fabric and component inventory by various factors such as yards, color, or specific program and assess forecast accuracy
• Develop and execute action plans for the utilization of excess materials in coordination with Design and Sourcing leaders
• Partner with the Raw Material Sourcing team to evaluate Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) issues and provide feedback on cost-effective actions
• Create Global Custom (GCP) fabric forecasts for approved vendors to ensure quick-turn deliveries and on-time performance
• Drive Process Improvement and Data Visualization
• Evaluate raw material planning processes to determine practical improvements tailored to the organization
• Expand the utilization of system tools to ensure supply chain processes are more accurate, efficient, and less manual
• Design and maintain automated dashboards (e.g., Tableau or Power BI) to improve workload visibility and track key performance indicators
• Report on metrics for key performance indicators (KPIs) and monitor their use to drive business decisions
• Cross-Functional Interaction and Support
• Interact with and provide direction to key New Era departments including Global Sourcing, Manufacturing, and Logistics.
• Communicate accurate and timely information regarding fabric availability and scheduled production to all internal stakeholders.
• Understand and maintain an understanding of other departmental positions to provide backup and general coverage as needed.
• Keep all sensitive matters confidential
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Behaviors

• Efficient in Microsoft Programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and demonstrate the ability to learn and utilize new systems
• Experience in data analytics including organizing, manipulating, and reporting data using Excel and Tableau or Power BI
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make strategic recommendations
• Familiarity with MRP and ERP systems (e.g., SAP or Epicor) and PLM software
• Detail-oriented; accomplishes tasks by considering all areas involved, showing concern for all processes no matter how small
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with various levels of staff and outside suppliers
• Enthusiastic, positive person who embraces and facilitates change with a sense of urgency and persistence
• Ability to prioritize tasks and responsibilities effectively to meet deadlines and pivot as necessary to accommodate unexpected delays or shifting business priorities

Education and Experience

• Three (3) to five (5) years of hands-on experience in forecasting, production, or demand planning related role
• Bachelor's degree in Business or Supply Chain or related field required
• Experience working with data and providing accurate analysis and recommendations
• Experience getting results via successful collaboration and communication with others
• APICS certification in CPIM or CSCP is a plus
• Understanding raw material yields is a plus

Travel Requirements

• 0% to 5%; domestic and/or global

The salary range for this posted position is $63,000 - $73,000 (plus bonus & benefits) and pertains to candidates located in Western New York. Actual compensation will fall within this range and is determined by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, education, essential job duties and requirements, and necessary experience.

New Era Cap, LLC's casual work environment celebrates individuality and encourages employees to showcase their personal style. We pride ourselves on offering competitive compensation, a generous PTO policy, along with world-class benefits designed to promote health, financial stability, and personal growth.

As an employee, you'll enjoy a range of perks, including paid parking, exclusive discounts on apparel and headwear, and professional development opportunities right here on-site. We can't wait for you to experience all that our dynamic workplace has to offer!