Senior Material Analysis

Job Title: Senior Material Analyst
Location: Tenneco – Blacksburg, VA
Reports To: Supply Chain Manager / Materials Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Department: Materials / Supply Chain

Position Summary:

The Senior Material Analyst is responsible for leading material planning, inventory management, and supply chain coordination to ensure efficient production flow and customer satisfaction. This role works closely with purchasing, production, logistics, and customer service teams to ensure material availability, minimize inventory costs, and meet delivery schedules. The Senior Analyst plays a key role in driving data-driven improvements and supporting plant-wide supply chain strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and maintain optimal inventory levels through demand forecasting, usage analysis, and planning parameters.
• Develop and manage material planning schedules to support production plans and customer delivery commitments.
• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of materials, resolve delivery issues, and manage backorders.
• Monitor material flow, adjust orders as needed, and provide proactive communication to stakeholders regarding material shortages or excesses.
• Analyze usage trends, inventory turns, and supply chain KPIs; make recommendations to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Work with the logistics team to coordinate inbound and outbound shipments.
• Support and lead continuous improvement projects related to supply chain optimization, lean manufacturing, and systems integration.
• Act as liaison between production, purchasing, and engineering to address material availability and changes in demand.
• Support new product launches by ensuring material readiness and accurate BOM planning.
• Utilize ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) to maintain data accuracy and ensure timely execution of materials plans.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in materials planning, supply chain, or inventory management in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of MRP/ERP systems; SAP experience preferred.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and generate actionable insights.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; able to collaborate across departments and with suppliers.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• APICS/CPIM certification is a plus.

Working Conditions:

• Office and plant floor environment
• May require occasional travel to suppliers or other Tenneco locations
• Some evening or weekend hours may be required to meet production timelines or resolve urgent supply issues

About Tenneco:

Tenneco is one of the world’s leading designers, manufacturers, and marketers of automotive products for original equipment and aftermarket customers. We value innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence and are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all team members.