What are the responsibilities and job description for the Materials Planner - Apparel position at Fanatics?
Job Description
We are seeking a highly organized and analytical Materials Planner to join our Supply Chain team. This role plays a key part in ensuring raw materials—including fabrics, trims, and packaging—are forecasted, sourced, and delivered on time to meet product development and production schedules. The ideal candidate will have experience in materials planning, strong data management skills, and a solid understanding of the apparel supply chain.
Key Responsibilities
Materials Forecasting & Planning
Required:
Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.
About The Team
Fanatics Commerce is a leading designer, manufacturer, and seller of licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods. It operates a vertically-integrated platform of digital and physical capabilities for leading sports leagues, teams, colleges, and associations globally – as well as its flagship site, www.fanatics.com.
Fanatics Commerce has a broad range of online, sports venue, and vertical apparel partnerships worldwide, including comprehensive partnerships with leading leagues, teams, colleges, and sports organizations across the world—including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, Formula 1, and Australian Football League (AFL); the Dallas Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Chelsea FC, and Tokyo Giants; the University of Notre Dame, University of Alabama, and University of Texas; the International Olympic Committee (IOC), England Rugby, and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
At Fanatics Commerce, we infuse our BOLD Leadership Principles in everything we do:
We are seeking a highly organized and analytical Materials Planner to join our Supply Chain team. This role plays a key part in ensuring raw materials—including fabrics, trims, and packaging—are forecasted, sourced, and delivered on time to meet product development and production schedules. The ideal candidate will have experience in materials planning, strong data management skills, and a solid understanding of the apparel supply chain.
Key Responsibilities
Materials Forecasting & Planning
- Translate seasonal product forecasts and line plans into raw material demand plans by SKU, style, and vendor.
- Analyze historical usage data and trends to maintain accurate material forecasts and inventory levels.
- Monitor forecast accuracy and recommend adjustments as needed.
- Track material deliveries and proactively resolve delays or issues with vendors or logistics teams.
- Maintain up-to-date records of material commitments, deliveries, and inventory levels in internal systems.
- Ensure optimal inventory levels of materials to support production without overstocking.
- Identify and help mitigate risks related to material shortages, excess, or obsolescence.
- Collaborate with sourcing and merchandising teams to manage raw material liabilities and support inventory clean-up efforts.
- Communicate material needs and delivery timelines to suppliers and mills.
- Support vendor performance tracking and issue resolution (e.g., quality concerns, late shipments).
- Coordinate sample yardage and bulk fabric needs with design and development teams.
- Partner with design, merchandising, sourcing, and production teams to ensure materials are aligned with product timelines and costing targets.
- Participate in seasonal calendar meetings and pre-production checkpoints.
- Maintain accurate material data in ERP/PLM systems (e.g., item master data, lead times, costs).
- Run regular reports to support planning decisions and provide visibility to stakeholders.
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Fashion Merchandising, or related field.
- 3–5 years of experience in materials planning, production planning, or supply chain in the apparel or retail industry.
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with ERP or PLM systems.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills.
- Experience working with overseas suppliers and mills.
- Familiarity with lead times, MOQ management, and apparel development calendars.
- Understanding of sustainable materials and responsible sourcing principles is a plus.
- Planning & Prioritization
- Attention to Detail
- Data Analysis
- Vendor Communication
- Collaboration & Teamwork
- Problem Solving
Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.
About The Team
Fanatics Commerce is a leading designer, manufacturer, and seller of licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods. It operates a vertically-integrated platform of digital and physical capabilities for leading sports leagues, teams, colleges, and associations globally – as well as its flagship site, www.fanatics.com.
Fanatics Commerce has a broad range of online, sports venue, and vertical apparel partnerships worldwide, including comprehensive partnerships with leading leagues, teams, colleges, and sports organizations across the world—including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, Formula 1, and Australian Football League (AFL); the Dallas Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Chelsea FC, and Tokyo Giants; the University of Notre Dame, University of Alabama, and University of Texas; the International Olympic Committee (IOC), England Rugby, and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
At Fanatics Commerce, we infuse our BOLD Leadership Principles in everything we do:
- Build Championship Teams
- Obsessed with Fans
- Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit
- Determined and Relentless Mindset