What are the responsibilities and job description for the Supply Chain Manager position at Forte Opening Solutions?
Description
Description
At Forte Opening Solutions, we don't just manufacture doors; we create pathways to possibilities. We empower our employees to shape the future of our industry. Join a team where craftsmanship meets cutting-edge technology, and where your ideas can open new doors. Together, we build not just products, but a culture of excellence and collaboration.
Forte Opening Solutions is a leading designer and manufacturer of built-to-order wood doors, components, and rapid-ship solutions for commercial, institutional, and architectural clients.
As the Supply Chain Manager at our largest plant in Marshfield, WI you will lead the end-to-end supply chain operations — from procurement and vendor management to production planning, inventory control, and logistics. You will partner closely with operations, quality, sales, and finance to drive reliability, agility, and cost efficiency. Your leadership will ensure we meet customer expectations, sustain profitability, and continuously improve.
You will be a change agent: embedding Lean supply chain practices, driving data transparency, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
Education / Certification
Description
At Forte Opening Solutions, we don't just manufacture doors; we create pathways to possibilities. We empower our employees to shape the future of our industry. Join a team where craftsmanship meets cutting-edge technology, and where your ideas can open new doors. Together, we build not just products, but a culture of excellence and collaboration.
Forte Opening Solutions is a leading designer and manufacturer of built-to-order wood doors, components, and rapid-ship solutions for commercial, institutional, and architectural clients.
As the Supply Chain Manager at our largest plant in Marshfield, WI you will lead the end-to-end supply chain operations — from procurement and vendor management to production planning, inventory control, and logistics. You will partner closely with operations, quality, sales, and finance to drive reliability, agility, and cost efficiency. Your leadership will ensure we meet customer expectations, sustain profitability, and continuously improve.
You will be a change agent: embedding Lean supply chain practices, driving data transparency, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the supply chain strategy for the plant, aligned with corporate goals
- Serve as a thought partner to plant leadership, contributing supply chain insights to strategic decisions
- Promote a performance culture grounded in metrics, accountability, and collaboration
- Lead sourcing of raw materials, components, and indirect services — build and maintain a competitive, reliable supplier base
- Negotiate contracts and terms; manage supplier scorecards, SLAs, and corrective actions. Lead supplier relationship development, risk mitigation (e.g. dual sourcing), and cost-down initiatives
- Implement or refine demand planning (including collaboration, forecasting, CPFR) in partnership with sales, customer service, and operations
- Translate medium and long-term forecasts into executable production plans
- Provide actionable analytics, forecasting, and dashboards to plant and corporate leadership
- Manage master scheduling, finite capacity planning, and order prioritization
- Define and execute inventory policies (e.g. safety stock, reorder points, Kanban, min/max) to balance service and cost.
- Monitor, analyze, and optimize KPIs such as inventory turns, days of inventory, obsolescence, and stockouts
- Lead initiatives to reduce working capital tied up in inventory
- Oversee inbound and outbound logistics operations: transportation management, loading, freight claims, carrier relationships, and customs if applicable to ensure efficient shipping, receiving, and distribution practices
- Collaborate with warehousing, material handling, and shipping teams to streamline flows
- Use Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methods to eliminate waste, reduce lead times, and improve flow
- Lead cross-functional projects (e.g. ERP enhancements, process automation, S&OP integration)
- Standardize and document supply chain processes and best practices
- Manage budget, cost control, and capital expenditures in your domain
- Act as the supply chain liaison to sales, customer service, operations, finance, quality, and engineering
- Participate in new product introductions and change management
Education / Certification
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Business, or related field (Master’s or MBA preferred)
- APICS/ASCM, ISM, Six Sigma, or Lean certification is a strong plus
- 7 years of progressive supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment (ideally built-to-order / make-to-order or similar discrete manufacturing)
- At least 3 years in a leadership role managing teams and cross-functional supply chain operations
- Proven track record in managing procurement, planning, inventory, logistics, and supplier relationships
- Proficiency in ERP and planning systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, JD Edwards)
- Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, macros, modeling)
- Experience with demand planning / forecasting tools and techniques
- Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement frameworks
- Strategic mindset with ability to translate into operational tactics
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, using data and fact-based analysis
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
- Change leadership — ability to lead transformation, influence without authority, and build buy-in
- Results-oriented and resilient, able to thrive in a dynamic environment