Company OverviewAncient Crunch Inc. is the fastest-growing healthy snack brand in the U.S. Our flagship product, MASA Chips, is the #1 selling tallow-fried tortilla chips in premium retailers like Erewhon. We manufacture all products in-house at our Hackettstown facility using real ingredients no seed oils, artificial flavors, or preservatives. All operations adhere to strict Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and food safety standards.Role: Material Planning ManagerReports To: Director of OperationsDirect Reports: Will lead a team across planning, procurement, materials, inventory, and related roles.Role Summary The Material Planning Manager owns the day-to-day execution of material planning, purchasing, and inventory management to keep production running and customers happy. Reporting to the Director of Operations, this is a hands-on leadership role that requires you to translate demand plans into action, balance service levels against inventory needs, and build a high-performing materials team. You'll work cross-functionally with Production, Fulfillment, Quality, Engineering, and Finance to ensure materials flow reliably and cost-effectively.The responsibilities listed below are not exhaustive. As we scale, the requirements of this role will expand. The Material Planning Manager is expected to lead new initiatives and take on additional duties consistent with this title and the long-term evolution of our supply chain.Key ResponsibilitiesSummaryOwn the material costs by managing inventory health and supplier deliveryConvert demand and production plans into actionable purchasing activityBuild and lead a team of planners, buyers, and inventory analystsPartner cross-functionally to keep materials aligned with business prioritiesDrive continuous improvement across planning processes and systemsSpecific Areas1. Material Planning & Operational PurchasingLead day-to-day material planning and purchasing to support production schedules, customer commitments, and new product launchesConvert inventory signals into purchase orders, schedule agreements, and delivery schedules ensuring on-time, in-full receipt at the right costManage the open purchase order book; expedite or de-expedite as needed and resolve supplier delivery issues, shortages, and over-shipmentsMaintain accurate planning parameters in the inventory system including lead times, lot sizes, safety stock, reorder points, and MOQsPartner with Strategic Procurement on supplier performance, contract execution, cost negotiations, and dual-sourcing strategies2. Inventory ManagementOwn inventory health across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods balancing service-level targets against inventory value and obsolescence riskEstablish and maintain inventory policies (ABC/XYZ segmentation, safety stock, min/max levels) aligned to demand variability and supply riskDrive cycle counting, inventory accuracy, and reconciliation; investigate and correct root causes of discrepanciesIdentify and disposition slow-moving, excess, and obsolete (E&O) inventory in partnership with Finance and OperationsMonitor and improve inventory turns, days-on-hand, and fill rate against targets3. Supply Chain Planning & Cross-Functional CollaborationTranslate demand and production plans into a feasible material requirements plan, surfacing constraints earlyCoordinate with Production, Quality, Engineering, Customer Service, and Finance to align materials availability with business prioritiesManage materials aspects of engineering changes, phase-ins/phase-outs, and new product launches to minimize obsolescence and stockouts4. Team LeadershipLead, coach, and develop a team of material planners, buyers, and inventory analysts; set clear goals, provide feedback, and build bench strengthEstablish standard work, KPIs, and cadenced reviews that drive accountability and continuous improvementFoster a collaborative, data-driven, and customer-focused culture across the materials team5. Process, Systems & Continuous ImprovementDrive continuous improvement of planning and purchasing processes using Lean and Six Sigma principlesChampion data integrity and effective use of ERP/MRP, advanced planning, and inventory management toolsDevelop dashboards and reporting for material availability, supplier performance, inventory health, and riskSupport internal and external audits related to inventory, purchasing, and supply chain controlsCore CompetenciesOperational Focus: A "doer" who can manage the details while keeping the big picture in viewFinancial Literacy: Strong understanding of inventory economics, working capital, and cost of goods soldDirect Communication: Clear, actionable communicator with leadership and cross-functional partnersCoaching Mindset: Track record of building high-performing, accountable teamsBias for Action: Structured, data-driven approach to problem-solving under pressureQualifications2+ years of progressive experience in material planning, operational purchasing, or supply chain planningAt 1 year experience as a team leader with direct reportsWorking knowledge of MRP/ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics)Demonstrated success managing inventory levels, service levels, and working capital in a manufacturing or distribution environmentProficiency in Excel and comfort with large data sets and BI tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field preferredBonus PointsAPICS CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent supply chain certificationExperience with advanced planning systems (e.g., Kinaxis, o9, SAP IBP, Blue Yonder)Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent continuous improvement certificationExperience supporting S&OP/IBP and presenting to senior leadershipExperience in a regulated industry (e.g., medical device, aerospace, automotive, food and beverage)Success MetricsOn-time, in-full (OTIF) supplier delivery performanceMaterial availability and production schedule attainmentInventory turns, days-on-hand, and fill rate against planExcess and obsolete inventory as a % of total inventoryCycle count and inventory record accuracyWorking capital tied up in inventory versus target
