Position Overview:

Manage daily planning activities to deliver global customer service targets and North America inventory levels for the brands managed by the North America Planning teams. This will include (but not limited to) supply chain process improvement, people development of a team of planners, and metric tracking/KPIs to meet customer service targets by minimizing inventory cost. Strong collaboration with the Business Managers (internal and external) will be critical to meet business goals: Global Procurement, Sales, Marketing, Demand Planning, Inbound Materials Planning, FG Planning, International Planning teams, Operations, Finance, and Customer Service teams.

Major Duties:

Manage supply planning to maximize customer service and optimize inventory. Develop material management strategies, propose service/cost solutions, and align system parameters accordingly. Work with planners to monitor rough cut capacity plan, identify high risk areas within the supply chain, propose solutions and lead implementation of aligned mitigation plans. Manage NPD/EPD (New Product Development / Existing Product Development) planning with appropriate communication; align on timing and implementation with all Planning partners. Liaise with cross functional partners throughout product life cycle ensuring timely NPD/EPD execution, PIPO (Phase In Phase Out), and delete management in order to minimize risk to service, returns, and discards. Provide direction to customer logistics regarding global intercompany allocation decisions. Maintain all planning master data, fixed periods, production and purchase quantities, and safety stocks ensuring data integrity within appropriate planning tools that can effectively deliver customer service. Provide direction to international transportation via TOA (Table of Authority) process to project air freight costs. Adjust planning strategies as necessary and update system parameters to achieve highest quality of inventory possible. Manage inventory levels (internally and externally at suppliers) to ensure OTIF (On Time In Full) expectations. Drive continuous improvement through training, tool development, and strategic planning. Ensure Supply Planning accounts for sales projections, new business opportunities, customer expectations, and internal supply constraints, by working closely with Demand Planning to accurately interpret any changes in the net requirements. Participate in the S&OP (Sales and Operations) planning processes, monthly inventory projections, and can build opportunities. Perform supply and demand analysis, quantify business risks, and highlight areas of concern. Troubleshoot and problem solve global supply constraints (inclusive but not limited to delays/constraints at suppliers, transportation disruptions, force majeure situations, immediate regulation/law changes, and unexpected reformulations). Develop inventory targets to achieve Corporate inventory levels on both the basis of cost and quantity. General training of new and existing staff about systems changes via departmental procedure revisions. Timely and accurate completion of all necessary projects and assignments as directed by management.

Experience:

5 years of experience in master production scheduling, supply chain planning, or procurement. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Strong verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to communicate at all levels of the organization. Sound knowledge of supply chain processes and procedures including manufacturing planning, material planning, procurement, demand, and replenishment processes. Thorough understanding of Supply Chain Management, EOQ (Economic Order Quantity) methodology, and supply chain best practices. Ability to work with cross functional groups to achieve results effectively and professionally. Experience with MS Office suite, especially Excel and Power Point. Strong coaching skills (able to effectively deploy action plans and develop people to achieve sustainable results)  Strong organizational skills: ability to evaluate data, prioritize, determine appropriate course of action, problem solve, escalate issues, and provide recommendations and solutions for positive/proactive changes. Ability to manage complexity, multi-task, and resolve conflicts that arise from balancing multiple priorities. Experience working with ERP/MRP systems required (SAP preferred, JDE)

Education:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college. Preferred areas of study: Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Logistics or Operations (appropriate professional experience may be substituted) Research. APICS certification (CPIM or CSCP) highly desirable

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