Manpower has a great direct hire opportunity with an growing company in Ankeny that is looking for a Purchasing and Inventory Specialist to join their team. POSITION SUMMARY As a Purchasing and Inventory Specialist, you will be responsible for managing the procurement and inventory processes to ensure the efficient and cost-effective acquisition and distribution of goods and supplies. Your role will involve coordinating with suppliers, negotiating contracts, and maintaining optimal inventory levels to support the organization’s operational needs. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES • Manage the planning process of US stocks. Gather sales orders and forecast, and, on that basis, identify material shortages which will trigger the replenishment process at different time buckets • Identify the short term gaps that urge an expediting process towards the supplier plant in Italy, avoiding, as much as possible, stockouts • Proactively identify deviations and gaps in the planning process, to avoid short term gaps and to structurally emend/upgrade the planning process • Release the purchase orders with appropriate lots, aimed at minimizing US stock, preserving service to customer, and safeguarding the stability of the production in the purchasing plant • Define and maintain the proper level of safety stock, to assure service to customer also in case of demand spikes, though minimizing as much as possible the impact on stock value • Be available to ease and collaborate to the deployment project of the future ERP in US, surveying the correct implementation of the functions relevant to planning activity • Evolve skills to fully exploit the new system capability, in order to manage future activity by more sophisticated and more effective tools and methods available from the future ERP • Promote/participate to project, at local and international level, aimed at improving the planning process in order to make it more effective and to bring tangible results to the company/to the group • Participate in company global Supply Chain initiatives, giving contributions for improvement processes on a worldwide scale, from components supply/manufacturing activity satisfaction in the US market EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management required. • 2-4 years of experience in purchasing, inventory management, or a related field. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED: • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software. Experience with ERP systems such as Microsoft NAV and SAP is beneficial. • Proficiency in inventory management software and tools. • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. • Willingness and ability to expand responsibilities in the future to include supply chain in a factory setting as well as managerial responsibilities, in a 5 year timeframe. • Strong negotiation and communication skills. • Ability to analyze market trends and make data-driven decisions. • Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills ManpowerGroup is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in a professional, high quality work environment. It is the policy of ManpowerGroup and all of its subsidiaries to recruit, train, promote, transfer, pay and take all employment actions without regard to an employee's race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.