Join a Growing Industry Leader and Make a Visible Impact by Driving Day-to-Day Planning Operations and Lean Business Processes

If you combine proven leadership success with a background in Lean manufacturing and a continuous improvement mindset, the role of Materials Planning Manager with Utilimaster offers you some compelling opportunities. You will:

• Play an integral, strategic role in a fast-growing facility and company. The Bristol plant has quadrupled the size of its team over the past five years, and we expect our strong growth to continue.
• Join us as we undergo exciting changes. You will be key in driving Lean initiatives and continuous improvement. 
• Make a strong impact as you coach, manage and develop a growing team of 3 to 10 direct reports
• Leverage the full range of your skills and experience while also adding to your experience through our unique operations. While we have a high-level plan in place, we'll also be able to build milestones tailored to your talents and the needs of the team. 
• Enjoy the stability and resources of an industry leader. As other companies are contracting, we're growing. 

Utilimaster moves ahead of the competition when commercial trucks and upfit services require precision, planning, peerless people, and the perfect vehicle. Our vehicles deliver for well-respected global brands in the package delivery, ecommerce, food and beverage, linen and laundry, grocery and pharmaceutical markets. Utilimaster is a top-tier go-to-market brand of The Shyft Group (NASDAQ: SHYF), North America's leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets. The Shyft Group rebranded in 2020 to reflect a new focus on high-growth end markets to help ensure long-term profitable growth.

Pictured: Utilimaster's Velocity F-Series offers big-truck interior space without requiring a commercial driver's license -- thus expanding the pool of potential drivers for fleet operators. You will see these vehicles on the road and be able to tell friends and family, "I'm part of the team that builds those."

To meet the basic qualification for this role, you will have materials leadership and planning experience. In addition, to be a good fit for the Material Planning Manager opportunity, you will have:

• A bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance, Business Management or similar; or equivalent experience. APICS or IBF certification preferred.
• 5+ years of materials leadership experience in a complex, fast-paced materials environment; automotive industry experience preferred.  Quick question for you - click here
• Demonstrated and detailed knowledge of manufacturing planning, master production scheduling, product definition, inventory control, materials requirements planning, capacity requirements planning, transportation, and purchasing business functions.
• Specific strong background in the management and development of the planning, logistics, and inventory control processes. Capable or experienced in switching to a new MRP system. 
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of continuous improvement and Lean six sigma methodology; TPS/Lean and/or Six Sigma training and/or black belt certification preferred.
• Proven ability to coach, manage and motivate subordinates and develop a team.
• Demonstrated project management skills; ability to work independently and as a member of various project teams.
• Strong computer skills including proficiency with:
  • ERP/MRP systems; PC network applications MRPII/ERP systems
  • Microsoft Office Suite applications, with strong Excel skills and Microsoft Power BI or similar for data analysis
• Working knowledge of data collection, data analysis, evaluation, and the scientific method.

In addition to your skills and experience, you will need the following core competencies and characteristics: 

• An ongoing commitment to drive improvements to a high standard of excellence.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and verbal, and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and mathematical abilities; acute attention to detail with a passion for 100% accuracy.
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm.
• Ability to make timely decisions and meet deadlines.
• Ability to deal effectively with a diverse group of individuals at all organizational levels.

Note: As an essential business, we have strong protocols in place protecting our employees and safeguarding their health. 

Reporting to the Director of Supply Chain Management, you will serve as an integral member of the Supply Chain Management team and lead a growing team currently including a team leader, inventory analyst, and materials planner. It's a strong team, but you'll need to establish yourself as a skilled and supportive leader and further leverage your leadership skills to grow and develop the team over time. 

You will be responsible for day-to-day Planning operations and drive Lean business processes, focusing on results and meeting key business goals. Initially, you will focus heavily on warehousing and material movement. You will direct the activities of the Materials Planners to execute optimal buying decisions by balancing inventory levels, piece part costs, and freight costs. Success in the role will require the constant drive for material planning improvements, including compliance of documented policies and procedures. You will help to create an environment where objectives are met, results are generated and people are motivated to be at work.  Quick question for you - click here

Specifically, you will:

• Provide day-to-day leadership to team members outlining clear expectations and consistently holding individuals accountable.
• Communicate effectively with all team members, including cross-functional teams, internal customers, and with external suppliers.
• Manages all aspects of the day-to-day procurement of materials.
• Identify, document, and implement opportunities for continuous improvement projects.
• Provide day-to-day guidance and oversight of subordinates; monitor work quality and ensure the staff conforms to organizational policies and procedures and government regulations; actively works to promote and recognize performance.
• Maintain a working knowledge of all operating systems pertaining to materials and manufacturing.
• Plan, in partnership with IST, to integrate systems required to optimize the use of MRP information to improve material flow.
• Establish and maintain department standards for productivity, reliability, and accuracy.
• Improve policies, procedures & processes; implement corrective actions when there is a failure in the flow of materials.
• Ensure the customer is the top priority; reduce shortages to meet their needs. 
• Manage team member activities including, but not limited to, vacation approvals, time card approvals, daily and weekly overtime, hiring, and training.
• Participate in annual physical inventory.
• Convert and communicate demand requirements for materials into detailed plans and schedules for inventory acquisition.
• Control inventory levels within the specified goals and develop creative ways to improve turns/days on hand levels -- reduction in inventory, excessiveness, and obsolescence. 
• Manage the supplier on-time delivery evaluation program and works with the Supply Management team to cooperatively improve supplier on-time delivery.
• Understand and apply Lean methods and techniques and Just-in-Time planning.

You will primarily work a day shift but will flex your hours as needed to meet business demands. 

Note: This description is intended to give you a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.

Professional development
The Shyft Group and Utilimaster are committed to the professional development of our team. Though this role could keep you challenged and engaged for years to come, you won't be siloed and can pursue advancement opportunities in Bristol or at other Utilimaster plants.

Stability and growth
The Shyft Group is financially sound and will continue to be an aggressive market disrupter through strategic acquisitions, relevant product innovations, and aggressive growth models that serve strong and growing end markets. Be assured, our accelerated growth trajectory will create opportunities for strong performers.

Focused transformation
Utilimaster, alongside The Shyft Group's family of well-respected brands, continues to lead in every segment in which they compete. The Shyft name represents speed, efficiency, agility, and a high-intensity approach, which corresponds with the company's pivot in market focus and the forward momentum garnered in the work truck, specialty service, and delivery vehicle markets.

Driven to deliver
Ever evolving and advancing, The Shyft Group is driven to make an impactful difference in how effectively goods, people, and services are delivered in today's and tomorrow's marketplace. Through our unmatched industry knowledge, engineering expertise, and manufacturing reach, we continue to deliver job-enhancing, efficiency-driving, ever-reliable products and services made for the road ahead.

Excellent compensation
In addition to a competitive salary and bonus opportunity, we offer medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance plans; a health savings account; a flexible savings account; wellness credits; a wellness program; a 401(k) plan with a corporate match; an employee stock purchase program and more.

While you'll have some tactical responsibilities, this is a strategic role. We're looking for a leader who does a good deal of Lean thinking and has an eye for continuous improvements. The ideal candidate will be forward-thinking and continuously questioning -- Why are we doing it this way? How can we do it better?

We understand that there will be a learning curve as you come up to speed on our products, systems and operation, but with your experience and expertise, you should be able to start making an impact in short order. In our fast-paced environment, you will need to be versatile and flexible, and able to pivot quickly to manage change effectively. 

In addition, in order to be an outstanding Material Planning Manager  you will:

• Work effectively in a very fast-paced, high-growth environment while maintaining a commitment to deadlines
• Demonstrate solid judgment with the ability to make timely and sound decisions.
• Be self-motivated and driven to excel
• Effectively drive key CI projects, including working cross-functionally (i.e. warehouse layout, kitting, sequencing, etc.)
• Pay acute attention to details while also maintaining a high-level, big picture understanding
• Remain open to learning and advancing your skills on an ongoing basis
• Combine analytical savvy and creativity in solving problems