Inventory Planning Specialist

Stratas Foods LLC is the leading supplier of fats and oils to the Foodservice, Food Ingredients and Retail Private Label markets in North America and is a producer of quality bulk and packaged dressings, mayonnaise and sauces. Stratas Foods was formed in October 2008 as a 50/50 joint venture between ACH Food Companies (ACH) and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)

Manufacturing facilities are located in Dallas and Houston, TX; Decatur and Quincy, IL; Englewood, NJ; Hillside, NJ; Fresno, CA; Nashville, TN; and Valdosta, GA. Corporate offices are located in Memphis, TN. We are committed to maintaining a workplace that utilizes ideas, skills and talents of all of our employees. We strive to make Stratas Foods a great place to work and are building a team capable of meeting our business goals.

This role serves as a key member of the Inventory Planning team, responsible for maintaining inventory availability across Stratas' distribution network through proactive inventory analysis, deployment planning, and cross-functional coordination. The Inventory Planning Specialist independently identifies inventory risks, develops recommendations, and partners with manufacturing, transportation, customer service, and sales to optimize inventory performance while minimizing customer service disruptions.

This role combines analytical problem-solving with cross-functional collaboration and offers an excellent opportunity for a supply chain professional to develop expertise in inventory planning, distribution, and supply chain operations. Successful candidates are naturally curious, proactive, and motivated to identify opportunities for improvement rather than simply react to issues as they arise.

A successful candidate will:

• Take ownership of inventory challenges and drive issues to resolution.

• Anticipate inventory risks and proactively recommend solutions.

• Build strong working relationships with manufacturing sites, warehouses, and business partners.

• Continuously look for opportunities to improve processes and reporting.

• Thrive in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.

• Demonstrate initiative, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Inventory Coordination & Reporting

• Analyze inventory trends and identify potential shortages, excess inventory, or deployment risks before they impact operations.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies and partner with warehouse, manufacturing, internal sales and supply chain teams to determine root causes and corrective actions.
• Support inventory tracking and visibility across Stratas facilities and 3PL location

Distribution & Order Coordination

• Create, schedule, and process distribution orders (DOs) between Stratas facilities and third-party warehouses
• Own visibility of inventory transfers and proactively resolve delays, exceptions, or inventory balancing issues.
• Communicate daily with manufacturing sites, warehouses, and 3PL partners regarding inventory availability and order status
• Coordinate inventory deployment activities to support customer demand, promotions, new product launches, and seasonal requirements.

Cross-Functional Support

• Serve as a point of contact for inventory and distribution-related questions from internal teams
• Communicate inventory concerns, order delays, and distribution updates to appropriate stakeholders
• Work closely with Sales, Customer Service, Transportation, Manufacturing, and Operations teams to support business needs
• Participate in process improvement initiatives related to inventory management and distribution operations

Process & Documentation

• Support updates to standard operating procedures and work instructions
• Ensure timely and accurate data entry and transaction processing
• Assist with audits, reporting requests, and inventory-related projects as needed

Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Analytics, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or related field preferred. Equivalent experience in logistics, supply chain, inventory management, or business operations may be considered.

Related Experience: 1–3 years of experience in supply chain, inventory planning, logistics, operations analysis, project management, business analytics, or related fields. Recent graduates with internships, co-op experience, or demonstrated analytical project work are encouraged to apply.

Equipment/Software Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.

Experience with ERP systems such as Infor M3, SAP, or similar business systems preferred. Experience running and maintaining reports preferred.

Competencies

Organization & Time Management: Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment

Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills

Attention to Detail: Maintains accuracy in transactions, reporting, and inventory records

Problem Solving: Uses data and sound judgment to identify root causes, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.

Customer Focus: Responds promptly and professionally to internal and external requests

Teamwork: Collaborates effectively across departments and with external partners

Initiative: Naturally asks questions, investigates trends, and uses data to support decisions and recommendations.

Physical: Typical activities may include prolonged periods of sitting or standing, using a computer, and occasional movement within the workplace. May require lifting or moving items up to 25 pounds.

Sensory: Requires clear verbal and written communication skills to interact effectively with team members and others. Active listening and attention to detail are essential.

Mental/Reasoning: Must be able to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and adapt to changing demands. Requires strong organizational skills, dependability, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team. Must demonstrate sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion.

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision

Stratas Foods is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee in any manner prohibited by law, including but not limited to, on the basis of race or color, religion, gender, age, genetic information, national origin/ancestry, mental or physical disability, family status/marital status, military/veteran status, and any other legally protected status.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision-The Employer will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the Employer’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Stratas Foods Applicant Request for Accommodation Form: https://www.stratasfoods.com/compliance

Stratas Foods California Privacy Rights Act Policy: https://www.stratasfoods.com/compliance