Manager, Materials Planning, FIFA World Cup 2026

Sitting within the Operational Services Department, Logistics (along with Guest Operations, Language Services, Accommodation, Transport, and Travel) aims to deliver the most engaging, innovative, and accessible World Cup experience for all athletes, fans, partners, and the community.  

The Material Planning Manager for FIFA World Cup 2026 will collaborate with internal stakeholders to gather and consolidate their Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E) needs into a centralized system. This role ensures that all FF&E requirements are effectively managed throughout the planning and execution phases. The manager will focus on continuous optimizations, smooth handling of changes, and ensuring that all FF&E needs are met efficiently and sustainably. During the operations phase, the manager will coordinate closely with other logistics workstreams to ensure the timely delivery of materials to the required destinations.

The primary responsibilities of the Material Planning Manager for the FIFA World Cup 2026 include: 

Material Planning
• Collaborate with venue teams to develop comprehensive material plans and layouts, ensuring alignment with stakeholder needs and requirements.
• Capture stakeholder needs and material requirements, ensuring all specifications are accurately documented and integrated into the planning process.
• Utilize the Material Planning System or other Material Logistics Database to capture and manage all relevant information accurately, ensuring data integrity and accessibility for all stakeholders.
• Establish long-term relationships and exceptional customer service for stakeholders, guiding them through the planning process and educating them on the Material Planning System or other Materials Logistics Database to enhance their understanding and efficiency.

Continuous Optimizations and Stakeholder Engagement
• Identify and implement continuous improvements in FF&E planning and management processes, focusing on efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Conduct regular meetings with various stakeholders to capture evolving FF&E needs, address concerns, and provide updates on procurement and delivery progress.
• Establish and manage a robust change control process to handle any adjustments to FF&E requirements, ensuring all changes are documented, communicated, and integrated into the overall plan without disrupting timelines.
• Ensure that all changes, optimizations, and updates are accurately reflected in the centralized system, maintaining data integrity and transparency for all stakeholders.

Stadium Inspection and Coordination
• Participate in thorough inspections of stadiums and venues to assess the availability, condition, and specifications of existing materials and furniture.
• Collaborate with stadium authorities and inventory owners to acquire FIFA World Cup 2026 assets.
• Coordinate with venue teams to ensure the seamless integration of acquired assets into the event supply chain, including storage, distribution, and installation if required.
• Develop and maintain detailed inventory records, tracking asset acquisition, utilization, and disposal.
• Coordinate with the Procurement and Dissolution Logistics Manager to align asset acquisition with the overall procurement and dissolution strategy.
• Assist in developing and implementing dissolution plans for post-tournament asset return or disposal.

Procurement Management
• Support the FF&E procurement process by generating reports and providing key insights to ensure alignment with stakeholder requirements.
• Develop and oversee the FF&E delivery schedule, ensuring all stakeholder needs are met efficiently and on time.
• Act as the key liaison between the Procurement and Dissolution Logistics Manager and Venue Logistics Managers, ensuring seamless coordination and communication.
• Monitor and manage assets procured by other FIFA departments, negotiating their smooth integration into the event supply chain.

Logistics Management
• Work closely with other logistics workstreams during the operations phase to ensure that all FF&E items are delivered to the required destinations on time and in good condition.
• Track the flow of materials from procurement to final installation, addressing any logistical challenges and optimizing routes and schedules as needed.
• Monitor and report inventory levels, tracking material usage to maintain adequate supply throughout the tournament.

Dissolution Management
• Support the reverse logistics process for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and FIFA World Cup 2026, ensuring all materials are returned to their respective locations.
• Coordinate with venue teams and stakeholders to facilitate the return of materials, including equipment and furniture, to their designated places.
• Monitor the transportation and handling of materials during the return process, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Collaborate with the Procurement and Dissolution Logistics Manager to ensure all returned materials are accounted for and properly documented.
• Provide support and guidance to venue teams and stakeholders regarding the return process, addressing any issues or concerns that may arise.
• Maintain detailed records of all returned materials, including tracking the condition and quantity of items returned.
• Work with disposal and recycling partners to manage the disposal of materials that cannot be returned, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

Reporting
• Provide regular updates and detailed reports on material management activities to the Senior Manager, Materials, and other stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain interactive dashboards to give stakeholders real-time visibility into FF&E planning, procurement, and logistics status.
• Track and report the budget spent for FF&E procurement and logistics. Provide insights and analyses to ensure that spending remains within allocated budgets and identify opportunities for cost savings.
• Assist in conducting audits and assessments to ensure all material management activities comply with FIFA regulations and standards. Report findings to management and collaborate with relevant teams to implement necessary improvements or corrective actions.

Overall Responsibilities
• Be customer-oriented, understanding and addressing the needs of stakeholders to ensure their satisfaction.
• Demonstrate strong leadership skills, set clear goals, provide guidance, motivate the team to succeed, and lead by example.
• Continuously seek opportunities for improvement, both in team performance and personal development.
• During Tournament Times, be ready to work on shifts at the Logistics Coordination Centre, actively fulfilling service requests and resolving issues. 
• Be ready for trips to perform site or vendor visits, which may involve physical activities on the ground, such as inventory counts, stock checks, inspections, asset labeling, etc.
• Support the Senior Manager, Materials, or any other Logistics team member in related tasks and activities such as presentations, calculations, training, document development, meetings, brainstorming sessions, process mapping, etc.

• Bachelor’s Degree or similar level of education in Logistics, Supply Chain, etc.
• Minimum of 1-2 years experience in Supply Chain Management or Logistics.
• Experience in Events is a plus.
• Strong customer service focus.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to make decisions independently and within a team environment.
• Extremely high attention to detail.
• Team player, comfortable in upward/downward communication and wanting to go the extra mile.
• Ability to present and communicate to audiences in many public/private settings as required.
• Proven track record in participating in complex projects, multi-tasking, and prioritization of tasks and deliverables.
• Willing to work to complex, tight, immovable timelines while maintaining a positive attitude, exhibiting patience, persistence, and experience working in a multi-cultural, multi-national environment.
• Fluent in English and Spanish
• Proficient in MS Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio & Project), planning software, and online collaboration tools.
• Familiar with Microsoft PowerBi: able to get data and create a dashboard.
• Experience with AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Revit is a plus.
• Able to learn new software tools and train others.