Supply Chain Planner/Buyer - (Distribution Center) Commerce, CA

Site Address 6021 S Malt Ave, Commerce, CA 90040 Who We Are N.A. Trading Company, established in 1986, is a premier Asian food importer/distributor in the Los Angeles area. We import products mainly from Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China with over a thousand items under labels such as FOCO, Chaokoh, Aroy-D, Pantainorasingh, and our Three Deer Brand. Our popular items include jasmine rice, canned coconut juice, coconut milk, instant noodles, mung beans, Thai tea drinks, and frozen durian. What You’ll Do As a Supply Chain Planner for our N.A. Trading operations, you will be responsible for developing and managing demand forecasts, aligning supply plans, and optimizing inventory across our distribution network. You will ensure product availability, manage imported supply timelines, and support business growth by partnering with Sales, Operations, and Finance. This role balances service levels, inventory investment, and operational efficiency across the organization. Key Responsibilities Demand Planning Develop, maintain, and continuously improve demand forecasts using historical sales, seasonality, promotions, and market trends. Analyze forecast accuracy and bias; identify drivers behind variances and recommend corrective actions. Collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Operations to align forecasts with commercial plans and business objectives. Incorporate promotional activities, new product launches, and customer-specific demand patterns into forecasts. Supply Planning & Inventory Management Translate demand forecasts into actionable supply plans that consider production constraints, international transit lead times, and inventory targets. Coordinate with overseas suppliers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers to ensure on-time replenishment of imported products. Monitor supply risks such as port congestion, vessel delays, supplier capacity constraints, and geopolitical or regulatory impacts. Develop contingency plans to mitigate supply disruptions and demand volatility. Align supply plans with warehouse capacity, shelf-life considerations, and food safety requirements. Establish and monitor inventory targets (safety stock, cycle stock) to balance service levels, costs, and working capital. Track inventory aging, slow-moving and obsolete items; recommend corrective actions (e.g., promotions, disposition). Reporting & Performance Management Track and report key KPIs including forecast accuracy, service levels, inventory turns, fill rate, and days of supply. Provide actionable insights and recommendations based on data analysis. Maintain planning data integrity within ERP and planning systems. Required Skills & Competencies Technical & Analytical Skills Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret complex data and convert insights into action. Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, formulas, scenario analysis); experience with SQL or BI tools (Power BI, Tableau) preferred. Hands-on experience with ERP and planning systems (e.g., SAP, Dynamics 365, JDA, Logility, or similar). Supply Chain & Industry Knowledge Solid understanding of end-to-end supply chain planning, including demand forecasting, supply planning, and inventory optimization. Experience managing imported products with long lead times is strongly preferred. Familiarity with food industry requirements, including shelf life management, lot tracking, and regulatory compliance (FDA, FSMA preferred). Communication & Collaboration Strong communication skills with ability to present data-driven insights to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Proven ability to work cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, and external partners. Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Economics, Statistics, or related field required. Experience: 3–7 years of experience in supply chain planning, demand planning, or inventory management. Experience in food distribution or import-based supply chains strongly preferred. Certifications (Preferred): APICS/ASCM (CPIM, CSCP), Lean, Six Sigma, or similar. Continuous Improvement: Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies is a plus. Job Type : Full-time Salary : $60,000 to $80,000 per year #J-18808-Ljbffr