Strategic Material Planning Manager

Reporting to the Director of Material Planning, the Strategic Material Planning Manager leads forward-looking planning for raw materials, packaging, and semi-finished goods across the Refrigerated and Frozen network, including Conagra and co-manufacturing sites. This role leads strategic, supply, and material planners; translates demand changes into requirements; evaluates supplier and internal capacity; and develops resilient sourcing and replenishment strategies that support service, inventory, working capital, and margin goals.

The manager also oversees critical-material and MRP governance and partners with Procurement, Supply Planning, Finance, R&D, Manufacturing, Project, Brand, and External Manufacturing teams to turn enterprise strategy into operational results.

A Taste of Your Responsibilities

Translate enterprise strategy into measurable operational goals.

Develop short- and long-term strategies for non-finished and semi-finished goods materials across Conagra and co-manufacturing sites.

Lead critical-material risk assessment, mitigation, accountability, recovery dates, and impact-based escalations.

Assess 12- to 18-month supplier and internal capacity, identify constraints early, and mitigate exposed materials.

Resolve non-finished and semi-finished goods material supply issues with planners, Conagra plants, co-manufacturers, and suppliers.

Balance planning and replenishment to optimize service, cost, and working capital.

Partner with stakeholders to strengthen material risk management and margins.

Reduce inventory and waste while improving service.

Translate forecast changes into material requirements, projected orders, and coverage impacts.

Analyze supplier service failures, identify root causes, and partner with Procurement on corrective actions and sourcing decisions.

Confirm sourcing, availability, lead times, planning settings, and transition risks for product and specification changes.

Govern lead times, order quantities, lot sizes, safety stock, calendars, and replenishment settings.

Monitor inventory, waste, and write-off risks, correct root causes, and balance reductions with service.

Lead recurring planning reviews and document decisions, owners, dates, and follow-ups.

Advance planning systems, automate analysis, improve data quality, and strengthen decision support.

Communicate, collaborate, and lead change in a dynamic market.

Lead direct reports by removing barriers and supporting career development.

Coach analysts, set priorities and coverage, build capability, and foster accountability.

Key Deliverables and Measures of Success

Material availability that supports production and customer-service commitments.

Early identification and mitigation of supplier, capacity, and demand-related risks.

Improved supplier performance and accurate root-cause attribution.

Inventory, days of supply, stock-to-norm, waste, and write-off performance at or better than target.

Accurate, current planning parameters and reliable MRP outputs.

Clear ownership and timely closure of critical-material actions and escalations.

Successful material readiness for new products, transitions, and specification changes.

Measurable reduction in manual planning work through automation and system improvements.

Strong team capability, engagement, and continuity of category coverage.

Ingredients Required for Your Success

Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or a related field preferred.

Seven or more years of material planning, supply chain, or manufacturing experience.

Strong knowledge of plant operations, sourcing, material planning, MRP, inventory, and supply exceptions.

Proficiency with SAP, Excel, Teams, reporting, and data-visualization tools; Blue Yonder experience preferred.

Familiarity with AI, generative AI, workflow automation, and digital planning tools.

Strong analytical, problem-solving, prioritization, and decision-making skills.

Clear communication and cross-functional leadership with business leaders, suppliers, and external manufacturers.

Experience leading teams, coaching employees, and managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing, new product introductions, and material transitions.

Up to 25% travel