Planning and Distribution Manager

The Planning and Distribution Manager is a leadership role responsible for overseeing raw material and finished goods inventory, supporting production planning and scheduling, and managing freight and logistics operations for a Fiber manufacturing facility in the U.S. This position plays a critical role in ensuring material availability, inventory accuracy, cost control, and on-time customer delivery while supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the plant.

• Provide Oversight And Management Of Raw Material Inventory, Including Paper, OCC (Old Corrugated Containers), Chemicals, Packaging materials, Pallets, Other plant-specific materials

• Establishing and maintaining inventory controls and best practices
• Monitoring inventory levels, usage, and replenishment
• Ensuring accuracy of inventory records and system transactions
• Supporting cycle counts and physical inventories
• Partnering with Procurement and Operations to mitigate shortages, excess, or obsolescence

• Oversee finished goods inventory organization and warehouse layout
• Ensure inventory accuracy and system alignment
• Enforce FIFO (First In, First Out) practices
• Support efficient material flow from production through shipment
• Identify and resolve inventory discrepancies and inefficiencies

• Support or oversee production planning and scheduling activities
• Maintain and optimize min/max inventory parameters
• Minimize unnecessary schedule changes and production disruptions
• Support OTIF (On-Time, In-Full) customer performance
• Monitor and reduce SLOB (Slow-Moving, Obsolete, and Excess Inventory)
• Collaborate with Operations, Sales, and Supply Chain teams to align demand, capacity, and production plans

• Oversee inbound and outbound freight and logistics operations
• Coordinate with carriers, brokers, and third-party logistics providers
• Ensure timely shipment and receipt of materials and finished goods
• Monitor freight spend and support cost-reduction initiatives
• Resolve freight issues, delays, claims, and service failures

• Lead, coach, and support team members within inventory, warehouse, or planning functions (as applicable)
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Procurement, Sales, Finance, and Quality
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to inventory accuracy, material flow, logistics, and service levels
  
  Provide regular reporting and insights on inventory health, risks, and opportunities

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, operations, business, or a related field preferred (or equivalent experience)
• 3–7 years of experience in supply chain, procurement, inventory management, or logistics within a manufacturing environment
• Experience in Fiber, paper, packaging, or industrial manufacturing strongly preferred
• Strong working knowledge of inventory controls, FIFO, and warehouse best practices
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced manufacturing environment