Job Description

KEY INITIATIVES AND RESULTS EXPECTED:

The Supply Chain Planner will be responsible for developing and executing a spend management program (cradle to grave) to ensure maximum value is achieved. The Planner will optimize inventory levels while minimizing risk of aged/obsolete product and provide expertise to internal customers on purchasing options, pricing negotiations, inventory management, expediting, tracking, follow up and supplier management of orders. Manage all aspects of the Total Cost of Ownership The ideal candidate must be a self-starter, a quick learner, able to work independently and with a great deal of autonomy and must have very strong analytical thinking skills. They will be willing to take on a task and simultaneously develop the process while implementing. The individual should understand the concept of influencing and motivating others and is comfortable working with competing objectives. The Supply Planner must work with a sense of urgency and excel in a dynamic, fast-paced growth environment all the while remains proactive with the ability to shift priorities in an ever-changing environment The Planner will understand that finding new efficiencies can mean going with a new vendor that doesn’t deliver on promises or choosing a cost-saving shipping path that ultimately delays delivery to the end customer. They know some changes along the supply chain come with risk, but they’re able to manage those risks effectively without losing sight of their job’s core purpose Develop and maintain relationships with multiple Vendors. Support vendor management programs and participate in Vendor QBR’s.

STRATEGIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Provide recommendations to management with prioritizing and achieving dept. projects, process improvements, metrics, and objectives to align with company Goals.
• Short and long-term inventory planning that optimizes inventory levels, plant efficiency, costs and service levels. This includes participating in a collaborative, cross functional, Sales Planning process; measuring and developing actionable improvement plans for key performance metrics.
• Partner closely with TSC, OEM’s, Distributors, Demand Planning, PMO, Customer Service and Sales to ensure the right product is in the right place at the right time in the right quantities to meet customer demand
• Supply chain planners will look at current processes and determine methods for improvement process and cutting/controlling costs. They also troubleshoot breakdowns along the chain and respond fluidly to unexpected events.
• Manage supply chain relationships and resolve persistent and/or acute supply chain challenges.
• Maintain contact with Suppliers throughout procurement process to ensure proper delivery, quality control, address any issues with returns/rejections and vendor’s performance issues. Refer to Legal Team for disputes regarding Terms and Conditions, or if any credible risks are anticipating.
• Develops demand forecasts and supply plans based on business rules, lead times, customer orders, safety stock requirements, bills of material, etc. (as applicable), escalating shortages and overages to management as required.

PROCESS

List critical processes this individual will undertake to achieve targeted results. (Internal use only)

• Analyzes and monitors Vendor performance KPI’s across Supply Chain to drive service improvement and inventory optimization. o Assists with Sourcing Team in an on-going review of current suppliers and potential secondary suppliers.

• Cost management through sourcing cost reductions, rebates, extended payment terms, distribution warehousing, ship on demand order placement and distributor/mfr. program utilization

• Manage execution of POs to suppliers based on demand, cycle time, location, availability and price

• Monitors and executes follow-up activities for backorder and re-order items, (e.g. advises the fulfillment locations regarding timeliness of availability, additional supply chain costs and resulting ramifications on margin, etc.). Collaborates with other planning team members, procurement, and relevant business leads to resolve out of stock or stock shortage situations.

METRICS

List key metrics that will measure and define success for this role. (Internal use only)

• COST: Actively working towards Supply Chain financial goals through Volume deal negotiations contributing to buy side margin. o Negotiating with Suppliers/Vendors to secure the best overall costs considering availability, payment terms, shipping, return privileges, timely delivery

• ACCURACY: Ordering accuracy, entry errors, CRM cases, vendor errors and end-user receiving errors as a result of ordering and order fulfillment

• AVAILABILITY: Product availability management of in-stock % turns, mix and alternate sourcing

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain/Operations Management, Business, or relevant field desired a plus. Certifications/Licenses/Etc.
• Supply Chain or Inventory Management Certification a plus (ISM, APICS, CSCMP, ISCEA, IIPMR) Required Experience
• Experience with ERP and Advanced Planning Systems (Kinaxis, Microsoft Dynamics experience a plus)
• Experience working directly with Sales and/or other customer facing teams a plus
• 4 or more years of experience required in Supply Chain or related field
• Excellent customer focus, project and process management, analytical, problem solving, verbal and collaborative skills to work effectively with teams throughout organization.
• Strong organizational skills, presentation skills, and ability to influence others
• Experience negotiating with multiple parties and/or conflicting objectives
• Experience working within the parameters of contractual agreements; understanding of customer and supplier specifications; customer or final product forecasting Technology Focus & Requirements
• Intermediate or advanced computer skills, experience and proficiency with MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, and especially Excel)

Technology Focus & Requirements

• Intermediate or advanced computer skills, experience, and proficiency with MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, and especially Excel)

Required Skills