A Supply Chain (SC) Planner is responsible for monitoring and managing global inventories and forecasting sales and production levels for materials that are needed. This includes tracking inventory delivery performance and response time, as well as handling capacity planning and other logistics projects. The role of Supply Chain Planner is critically important to the successful operation of an organization by meeting customer demand, increasing efficiency, decreasing waste, and lowering costs. 

The person in this role is the primary point of contact and works closely with factory, production, sales, and logistics colleagues as well as with raw materials suppliers in order to ensure that plans are aligned with demand and supply. 

Responsibilities of the role include resolving inventory in-stock issues such as the depth, timing, and efficient flow of inventory that support financial objectives. Additionally, supply chain planning includes managing the purchasing process, creating/managing inventory budgets, ensuring that inventory levels meet demand, and gathering data to prepare trends and forecasting reports for colleagues, management, and other stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan both short- and long-term to align supply and demand to support inventory needs
• Project forward-looking inventory positions and financial implications
• Facilitate collaboration meetings with stakeholders and vendors to review purchase forecasts, proposed orders, and other operational issues
• Monitor weekly and monthly production plans, prioritizing work orders
• Monitor movement of materials through purchasing, storage, production, and retail distribution
• Set preferred stock levels and prevent excess inventory
• Review supplies to ensure quality, monitor stock levels and maintain accessibility to information
• Build relationships with transportation, warehouse supervisors, and co-workers to achieve higher performance
• Use scheduling software to coordinate deliveries
• Administer Enterprise Resource Planning data for manufacturing
• Develop and monitor internal and external key performance indicators including forecast accuracy and vendor scorecard metrics
• Support cost negotiations with analytics and industry insight
• Make recommendations on flow considerations
• Design and create new tools to help improve the planning functions of supply chain
• Prepare detailed reports relating to MRP, back orders, and schedules
• Engage in continuous improvement as it relates to processes and material availability
• Manage relationships with key suppliers to maintain quality of goods, timely delivery, and compliance to terms of contracts
• Perform tactical workload such as Purchase Order requests / adjustments or updates to the ERP system as required

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum of 2-3 years’ experience in a Forecasting or Supply Chain environment
• Solid understanding of planning methodologies, statistical techniques, and inventory management concepts.
• Analytical mindset with excellent data analysis and interpretation skills.
• Intermediate / Advanced knowledge of Excel is required (including pivot tables & VLookups; advanced macros a plus)
• strong PowerPoint skills and working knowledge of ERP software and demand planning software – in particular, demand solutions
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in forecasting and inventory management.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.