LAEPPLE Automotive is a leading supplier in the automotive industry, specializing in high-quality components and systems for body components manufacturing. Our innovative technologies and efficient production processes set benchmarks in the industry. We are seeking a results-oriented Material Planning & Logistics Manager. Responsibilities include leading all plant-level material planning, inventory control, customer scheduling, production planning, warehousing, shipping, receiving and logistics functions to ensure uninterrupted production and on-time customer delivery. The Material Planning & Logistics Manager is critical in supporting automotive OEM and Tier 1 customer requirements through effective inventory management, supplier coordination, logistics optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives. The successful candidate will drive operational excellence by maintaining optimal inventory levels, ensuring ERP system accuracy, supporting lean manufacturing principles, and leading a team focused on achieving world-class delivery performance, inventory turns, and cost management.
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- Lead, mentor, and develop Material Planner(s), Scheduler(s), Supervisor(s), Coordinator(s), and associated staff.
- Establish performance expectations and conduct performance evaluations.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Review and analyze customer releases, EDI schedules, forecasts, and demand fluctuations.
- Coordinate with production, purchasing, and customer service teams to balance capacity and customer requirements.
- Ensure effective material transitions in response to engineering change requests.
- Lead demand planning reviews and develop contingency plans for supply chain disruptions.
- Develop and manage production material plans based on customer demand, forecasts, and production schedules.
- Ensuring material availability to support production requirements while minimizing inventory carrying costs.
- Lead MRP planning activities and maintain planning parameters within ERP system.
- Monitor inventory levels, inventory accuracy, slow-moving, excess, and obsolete materials.
- Establish inventory reduction strategies while maintaining customer service levels.
- Manage safety stock levels and material replenishment processes.
- Direct warehouse, shipping, receiving, and transportation activities.
- Ensure compliance with customer shipping requirements and automotive industry standards.
- Optimize freight, packaging, and transportation costs through carrier management and logistics planning.
- Coordinate inbound and outbound logistics activities to support customer delivery performance.
- Manage inventory storage, material flow, and warehouse space utilization.
- Collaborate with Purchasing and suppliers to ensure timely material delivery.
- Monitor supplier performance, delivery metrics, and corrective action plans.
- Support escalation activities related to material shortages and supply interruptions.
- Develop recovery plans for critical supply chain issues.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as: On-Time Delivery, Premium Freight Cost, Inventory Turns, Inventory Accuracy, Production Schedule Attainment, Customer Deliver Ratings, etc.
- Lead Lean Manufacturing and Supply Chain Improvement initiatives.
- Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for inventory discrepancies, shortages, and delivery issues.
- Support implementation of industry best practices in material planning and logistics.
- Participate in plant operational excellence initiatives and cost-reduction programs.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and customer requirements.
- Other duties and tasks as assigned.
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- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field.
- APICS/ASCM certifications (CPIM, CSCP) preferred.
- 7+ years of progressive experience in material planning, logistics, inventory control, or supply chain management within the automotive manufacturing industry.
- Minimum of three (3) years of leadership experience managing planning, logistics, or supply chain teams.
- Experience supporting automotive OEM or Tier 1 customer requirements.
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