Whisker is the maker of Litter-Robot, Feeder-Robot, and Litterbox.com. At Whisker, we believe pet parenthood can always get better.

As leading innovators in pet tech and refined pet accessories, we work tirelessly to solve problems and deliver smarter insights for pet parents while enriching the lives of pets. Whether it’s a self-cleaning litter box that automates scooping, an automatic feeder that helps pets develop healthier eating habits, or a modern cat tree that delights both humans and felines, we strive to deliver better solutions for consumers while transforming pet care along the way. To us, having a pet is the best thing ever. At Whisker, life together just keeps getting better.

Whisker is based in Auburn Hills, Michigan and Juneau, Wisconsin with 500+ passionate team members.

What You’ll Do:

The Senior Materials Manager is responsible for all aspects of material purchasing/buying, production planning & scheduling, and BOM management. They directly influence capacity planning and work closely with our inventory/warehouse teams at our WhiskerPark Operations Facility.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary.

• Guides a team of buyers to facilitate timely placements of purchase orders and communication with suppliers, ensuring on-time delivery of components to support production plans.
• Supervises the production planning and scheduling team to meet customer and retail demand, as well as lead time commitments.
• Coordinates short and long-term capacity planning to meet both current and future state objectives, achieving tactical and strategic goals.  Engages in the S&OP process with marketing, finance, operations, etc.
• Implements continuous improvement initiatives to optimize supply chain processes; promotes accuracy and efficiency by creating system based processes.
• Solves supply chain challenges by working with cross-functional teams to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Maintains accurate finished goods, work-in-progress, and raw material inventories through ongoing cycle counting programs and annual inventory counts.  Supports warehouse needs.
• Collaborates with engineering and manufacturing to ensure timely communication and execution of BOM buildouts, pilot builds, and new program launches.
• Develops processes to enhance systemic efficiency across the entire organization.
• Evaluates supplier performance and manages supplier relationships to ensure quality and reliability.
• Leads training and development programs for the team to enhance skills and performance.
• Advocates for safety both within the plant and with our supply chain
• Will perform additional responsibilities when required 

Leadership Responsibilities: 

Directly supervises department Teams. Carries out supervisory responsibilities following Whisker policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, training, and hiring, planning, assigning and directing work, appraising performance, addressing team issues, and upholding safety and quality guidelines. 

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in materials management and demand planning, preferably in a manufacturing or assembly environment
• Experience in leading purchasing, sourcing, supplier, and inventory management
• Prior management or supervisory experience
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, including implementation or upgrade experience (SAP currently used)
• In-depth understanding of costing structure and scheduling
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills across all levels of the business
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize projects and drive the team effectively
• Proactive communication with cross-functional and leadership teams
• Maintains confidentiality of proprietary information
• Ability to maintain a professional atmosphere in a fast-paced environment with numerous interactions and interruptions
• A high degree of initiative, self-motivation, and ability to motivate others
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with Team Members and colleagues
• Comfortable with office pets (cats, dogs) 

Not Required but Nice to Have!

• Medium to high volume consumer goods experience
• APICS certification
• MBA or advanced supply chain degree
• SAP Business One experience
• Prior experience implementing a new ERP 

Benefits & Perks:

Join a tenacious, inventive company that empowers team members to chart their own path, lead by grounding decisions in the “why”, and has a strong sense of empathy and openness to new perspectives. Be a part of exciting growth, work with incredible people, and create tomorrow’s pet products—plus a whole lot of extras. You will also be provided with:

• Premium Medical/Dental/Vision insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Whisker Parents Program
• 1 day "pawternity" leave for new pet adoption
• Pet Insurance 
• 401K match
• Flexible spending accounts 
• Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Generous paid time off
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Top of the line equipment
• Pet-friendly office
• Whisker products and swag
• Continuing education Support
• On-site gym with Peloton
• Referral program

Statement of Inclusivity:

We believe different perspectives make Whisker better and strive to create a place where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.

Please ensure to regularly check your email spam folder for any communication from Whisker to avoid missing important updates regarding your application status.

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