a16z Senior Materials Planner (R5112)
Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit . Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Job Description:
We are seeking an experienced Material Planner to enhance our materials planning and procurement processes. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in optimizing material usage, driving efficiency, and ensuring seamless collaboration across teams to support operational success.
What you'll do:
Leadership and Execution (Individual Contributor):
- Own the material planning function and ensure day-to-day processes align with company objectives.
- Develop and execute strategies to optimize material usage and enhance procurement efficiency.
- Demonstrate subject-matter expertise and provide informal knowledge sharing and best-practice guidance to peers.
Materials Analysis and Planning:
- Analyze material usage and consumption versus planned metrics and deliver actionable insights to stakeholders.
- Identify trends and recommend improvements to materials planning parameters to generate accurate procurement signals.
- Ensure materials planning activities align with operational and production requirements.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Partner closely with engineering to integrate new products and materials into planning systems seamlessly.
- Serve as a primary point of contact to facilitate clear communication between engineering and procurement functions.
- Adapt materials planning approaches to accommodate product changes and engineering feedback in a timely manner.
System Improvements:
- Recommend and implement enhancements to materials planning systems to streamline procurement processes.
- Leverage advanced tools, analytics, and data-driven methodologies to improve planning efficiency.
- Monitor outcomes and continuously refine system configurations to support sustained performance.
Supply Chain Performance Enhancement:
- Contribute to supply chain performance improvements through effective use of MRP (Material Requirements Planning) tools and techniques.
- Initiate and support process improvement efforts aimed at increasing efficiency and achieving key performance indicators.
- Stay current on industry best practices and emerging trends to continuously strengthen supply chain planning capabilities.
Required qualifications:
- Proven experience in materials planning, procurement, or supply chain management, with leadership experience preferred.
- Expertise in MRP systems and a strong understanding of materials planning and supply chain principles.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively across teams and departments.
- Experience in implementing system enhancements and leveraging tools to drive efficiency.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross functional alignment in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Engineering, Business, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
- 3–5+ years of experience in materials planning, production planning, or supply chain operations within a manufacturing or engineer-to-order environment.
- Hands-on experience with MRP/ERP systems and strong proficiency in Excel or other data analysis tools.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze demand, inventory, and consumption data to drive accurate planning decisions.
- Strong cross-functional communication skills with the ability to work effectively with engineering, procurement, and operations teams.
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Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.