Materials Assistant Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

The Company At SOFIE, we're on a mission to improve patient outcomes through the development and delivery of cutting-edge molecular diagnostics and therapeutics. As a leader in radiopharmaceuticals and theranostics, we operate at the intersection of science, technology, and healthcare—bringing innovative solutions from research to patients who need them most. Joining SOFIE means working alongside passionate scientists, engineers, healthcare professionals, and industry experts who are driven by a shared purpose: improving lives. Compensation: $130,000 - $140,000 Job Overview We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Materials Planner to support material availability for a regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing operation. In this role, you will be responsible for planning, ordering, and managing raw materials and related components to ensure uninterrupted production while balancing inventory levels, shelf-life considerations, and service requirements. Reporting directly to the Director of Purchasing, you will be the bridge between strategic procurement and day-to-day manufacturing execution through a dotted line reporting structure into operations. The ideal candidate brings experience in materials planning within a cGMP-regulated environment and is comfortable working cross-functionally with Procurement, Quality Assurance, and Operations. This position plays a critical role in maintaining supply continuity, minimizing shortages and excess inventory, and supporting compliance with internal specifications and regulatory requirements. Key Responsibilities Purchasing Alignment: Work closely with the Director of Purchasing to align material requirement plans (MRP) with corporate procurement strategies, contract negotiations, and spend analytics. Production & Material Scheduling: Develop and execute end-to-end material plans aligned with daily, weekly, and monthly radiopharmaceutical production schedules and inventory turn targets. System and Reporting Ownership: Use SAP Business One, ENVI, and Excel to monitor inventory, maintain planning parameters, and calculate replenishment needs. Serve as the planning subject matter expert within the Purchasing system, ensuring data integrity, accurate lead times, and optimal safety stock parameters to feed into purchasing forecasts. Manage inventory reporting to manufacturing partners and assist with logistical issues. Continuous Improvement: Lead initiatives to reduce material waste, optimize lead times, and improve forecast accuracy, regularly reporting key material velocity and cost-savings metrics to the Director of Purchasing. Create and manage purchase orders for raw materials, components, and operating supplies. Track supplier delivery performance, expedite critical materials, and resolve delays to prevent production disruptions. Manage inventory levels through reorder points, min/max settings, safety stock, and annual inventory turn targets established by management. Monitor shelf-life-controlled materials and help reduce the risk of expiry, obsolescence, and stockouts. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Production, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, and specialized Logistics/Distribution teams to ensure requirements are met and product flow from raw material to patient delivery is seamless. Supplier Relationship Management: Partner with the purchasing and QA teams to manage relationships with key global suppliers of critical materials. Assist in mitigating risks by establishing secondary sourcing strategies and monitoring vendor performance metrics. Support compliance with cGMP standards, internal procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements related to material planning and procurement. Maintain accurate material data and planning records to support operational performance and audit readiness. Continuous Improvement: Lead initiatives to reduce material waste, optimize lead times, and improve forecast accuracy, regularly reporting key material velocity and cost-savings metrics to the Director of Purchasing. This is a unique opportunity to join SOFIE at a pivotal stage of growth. As the company continues to expand its reach, capabilities, and impact across the healthcare ecosystem, you'll have the chance to help shape what comes next. Rather than stepping into a fully matured organization, you'll play an active role in building the processes, systems, and strategies that will support SOFIE's next phase of scale. Qualifications · Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Logistics, Operations, or a related field. · Minimum of 5 years of experience in materials planning, inventory control, or supply chain planning in a regulated manufacturing environment. · Experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, or similarly regulated industries is strongly preferred. · Hands-on experience with ERP/MRP systems, including SAP Business One; familiarity with ENVI is preferred. · Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with the ability to analyze data and support planning decisions. · Working knowledge of cGMP requirements, FDA-regulated operations, and controlled material environments. · CPIM certification is preferred; active APICS/ASCM membership is a plus. · Strong organizational, problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced environment. · Ability to work a hybrid schedule with 2 days onsite per week. · Strong interpersonal and leadership skills to effectively collaborate with internal teams, external vendors, and executive leadership · Travel - Up to 20% required Why Join Us This is an opportunity to play a key role in the exciting and growing field of nuclear medicine where material availability directly supports operational performance, product quality, and customer service. If you are a proactive planner who thrives on solving supply challenges and improving inventory performance, we encourage you to apply. Benefits include: Hybrid Flexibility: This role operates on a hybrid schedule, requiring two days per week on-site (Tuesday & Wednesday) at our state-of-the-art facility in Dulles, VA, with the remaining three days working remotely. Comprehensive Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus potential, 401(k) matching, premium health/dental/vision coverage, and paid time off.