Team Lead Materials Management

The Team Lead Materials Management ensures a high level of performance at the Charles City Site in the supply of biological vaccines. This role leads day-to-day execution and continuous improvement of planning, scheduling, and direct materials readiness to protect customer supply and production efficiency. The Team Lead is a proactive, collaborative leader who identifies risks early (3–24 months), brings options and recommendations, and aligns cross-functional partners (Operations, Quality, Process Teams, and the Supply Chain Network) to resolve issues before they impact production.

Conducts all activities and makes decisions in accordance with Company policies & SOPs, Zoetis Core Beliefs, global regulatory guidelines (including cGMP/cGLP/cGCP), and environmental guidelines, as appropriate.

Position Responsibilities:

• Customer & network partnership: Respond to customer inquiries and order status needs (ship dates, order changes, availability, loads, on-hand, item # changes) in coordination with the Planning/Scheduling/Customer Interface Manager; communicate constraints, tradeoffs, and recovery plans clearly and professionally.
• Forward-looking risk management: Identify long-term obstacles to production and supply (lead time shifts, supplier constraints, distressed/aging inventory, quality holds, change controls, capacity bottlenecks) and lead cross-functional mitigation plans with clear owners, actions, and timelines.
• S&OP / IBP / S&OE execution: Coordinate and execute S&OP/IBP inputs including new product introductions, long-term capacity planning, inventory strategy/targets, and budget planning; use scenario planning to support decisions.
• Inventory exception management: Review inventory alerts/exceptions (low/high stock, excess/slow-moving, constrained items) through S&OE and IBP; drive corrective actions to stabilize supply and improve inventory health.
• Planning leadership & parameter governance: Lead the process order cycle with the planning team and manufacturing; determine and maintain process-specific planning parameters, run/analyze scenarios as needed, and monitor/manage resource utilization (shifts, headcount, overtime).
• Materials ordering & readiness: Lead ordering for all direct materials and intercompany needs; ensure timely receipt and readiness for use through strong supplier/internal coordination, prioritization, and issue escalation.
• Lot release enablement: Aid in ensuring timely release of production lots through coordination with Quality, Operations, and Process Teams (e.g., driving timely closure of investigations and change controls that impact supply).
• Continuous improvement & KPI ownership: Promote a culture of continuous improvement using KPIs, standard work, and system/process enhancements; reduce expediting and prevent repeat issues through root-cause problem solving.
• People leadership: Develop team members for growth; set clear expectations, coach problem-solving and communication, and build an ownership culture where planners/buyers partner effectively with peers.

Behavioral expectations

• Brings issues early with data, options, and a recommended path—no “surprises.”
• Builds trust with peers; solves problems collaboratively rather than “throwing problems over the wall.”
• Thinks 3 steps ahead (lead times, quality release risk, supplier constraints) and drives preventive actions.

Technical Skills and Competencies Required

• Exceptional communication (written and verbal) in English; can tailor messages to shop-floor partners, peers, and customers/network stakeholders.
• Strong collaboration and influence: Demonstrated ability to lead through peers/cross-functional teams and facilitate decisions; resolves conflict constructively and drives alignment.
• Advanced Excel proficiency (required): comfortable building/maintaining analytical tools and dashboards (e.g., pivots, lookups, structured formulas;) to manage exceptions and support planning decisions.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills (trend analysis, scenario planning, root cause/corrective action).
• Knowledge of product flow through Manufacturing and the impacts of quality/release processes on supply.
• Knowledge of manufacturing capabilities/constraints and how to translate them into realistic plans.
• Working knowledge of SAP, MPS, MRP, and inventory management principles.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complexity across a broad product portfolio.
• Strong organization, prioritization, and negotiation skills.

Preferred candidate qualifications

• Proficient in Zoetis Supply Operating Mo