Purchasing and Inventory Manager

PRIMARY FUNCTION

Responsible for providing leadership to the replenishment team to manage inventory and inventory turns at all company Distribution Centers and Stores, and to ensure customer service levels requirements are continuously achieved.  

REPORTS TO:        Director of Purchasing

SUPERVISES:         Leads & Develops a staff of approximately 3 replenishment team members

TYPICAL DUTIES:

•    Develops and implements replenishment processes to meet customer satisfaction and company objectives while maintaining inventories with established targets. 

•    Communicates and works with Sales and Marketing to understand future requirements of products so the proper inventory decisions can be made. 

•    Creates and manages inventory targets while satisfying customer demand.

•    Manages Fill Rate Key Performance Indicators.  Analyzes fill rates, resolves safety stock issues, resolves fill rate issues due to delivery issues, and performs analysis to support inventory turns and order fill.  

•    Manages Inventory Key Performance Indicators.  Identifies overstock (excess), slow-moving, and obsolete products and action plan to reduce or eliminate this type of inventory in conjunction with appropriate internal customer groups.  Manages inventory turns, communicates forward buys, and communicates & resolves delivery issues. 

•    Creates metrics for inventory performance indicators and communicates these metrics to the appropriate internal customer groups in a timely manner.

•    Works with internal customer groups to establish service level expectations and agreements that are fully aligned.  Provides service level updates and communicates any action items to address problems regarding service level to internal customer groups in a timely manner.

•    Manages Replenishment Team Members by directing the daily activities of the group to accomplish objectives.  Provides coaching and feedback to develop team members skill sets and counsels team members on career development.  Monitors and evaluates team and individual performance and develops improvement plans when necessary and tracks progress against those action plans.  Trains associates (new and existing) in the replenishment functions. 

•    Plays a key role in the company’s transition to a new ERP system.  Works with internal customer groups to establish Style Crest “best practice” policies and processes for inventory and replenishment to ensure a smooth transition to new ERP system.  Focus on continuous improvement and streamlining of inventory and replenishment activities. 

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

•    Bachelor’s degree is required preferably in Materials Management, Purchasing, Operations or a Business related field.

•    At least 8 years of experience in a purchasing and replenishment role.

•    Prior management and/or leadership of a department/team with the ability to work as a team player towards mutual goals.  

•    Expert level knowledge of operations, reports, procedures and policies.  Expert knowledge of supplier organization, supplier processes and procedures.

•    Experience in a multi-warehouse national distribution network.

•    Deep understanding and hands-on experience in MRP, S&OP Processes, Forecasting, Production/Inventory Planning & Scheduling.  

•    Demonstrates strong interpersonal, communication (verbal & written), problem solving, analysis, decision-making, negotiating, sourcing, and time management skills.  

•    High level of proficiency with Excel and Intermediate level of proficiency with Access.  Be able to Query AS400 and dump into Excel for analysis.  Proficient with Word and PowerPoint.

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES:

•    Demonstrates Customer-First attitude and behavior

•    Ability to be a team player committed to the success of the business

•    Excellent performance as evidenced by results produced

•    Operates from a clear set of positive values and principles

•    Has high moral character

•    Proactive and takes initiative; able to take risks

•    Committed to continuous learning

•    Ability to multi-task

•    Demonstrated abilities/skills in problem, decision making, and conflict resolution

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES (IF APPLICABLE):

•    Committed to the strategic and operational direction of the business

•    Demonstrated ability to lead/facilitate a team in a way that produces quality results

•    Demonstrated ability to be fully responsible and accountable for the success of the team and the business

•    Demonstrated ability to facilitate meetings, teams and groups to produce quality results and positive relationships

•    Flexible, adaptive, and able to manage through uncertainty and change.

•    Ability to articulate a compelling vision or goal and inspire, empower, and motivate others to achieve it

The above description covers the principal functions of the job.  It is not intended to be a complete listing of all miscellaneous, incidental or similar tasks which may be assigned during normal or emergency operations.