Supply Chain Specialist

Supply Chain Specialist / Materials Planning Specialist

Reporting to the Supply Chain Manager, this individual is responsible for planning, forecasting, and coordinating inbound/outbound raw material flow. Maintaining an accurate inventory while working with distribution teams to ensure continuous flow of materials to meet production scheduling needs.

The successful candidate will collaborate with Supply Chain, Sales, Quality, and Operations teams to address gaps, and to plan and communicate risks and resolutions to stakeholders. They will efficiently schedule day-to-day inventory movements, including receiving materials, material transfers, and WIP. The focus is on efficiency, timeliness, quality, and accuracy.

Core Responsibilities:

• Coordinate inbound/outbound material flow by ocean, air, rail, and truck freight shipments.
• Maintain aging inventory meetings, cycle counting processes, and physical inventory audits.
• Ensure accuracy of inventory from receiving, staging, transfers, and goods issued in the ERP system daily. Identify any BOM inaccuracies and report to Supply Chain Manager.
• Analyze MRP reports and sales forecasts to define procurement plans to satisfy customer demand.

Essential Functions:

• Continuous cross-functional engagement with Planning, Quality, Customer Service, Sales, Distribution, Purchasing, and Production teams.
• Maintain accurate inventory levels, inventory turns, and safety stock of raw materials, packaging, WIP, and non-inventory packaging.
• Coordinate with the Quality department for non-conformances, sort processes, WIP, raw materials, and finished goods.
• Implement and maintain an effective inventory cycle count program for raw materials, WIP, packaging, and non-inventory packaging. Maintain accuracy in the ERP system daily, weekly, and monthly.
• Maintain warehouse floor space and pallet rack space location accuracy, labeling, and vertical stacking.
• Conduct root cause analysis for inventory discrepancies and develop appropriate procedures to prevent recurrence.
• Define appropriate safety levels for bulk raw materials in coordination with the master scheduler and by forecasting logistic constraints.
• Maintain relationships with approved freight forwarders, negotiate best pricing, and assure on-time deliveries for customer orders and raw material needs.
• Analyze MRP needs daily, weekly, and monthly to ensure inventory levels support upcoming production demands and safety stock.
• Define procurement plans considering cost, storage capacity, material shelf life, and supplier lead time.
• Proactively identify risks related to material shortages and their impact on production scheduling.

Quality Management Awareness:

• Understand and comply with all quality management system requirements relevant to the role.
• Be aware of the Quality Policy, how individual performance contributes to Critical Success Factors, and follow all job-specific procedures.

Company Required Competencies:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• English language proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension.
• Proficient math and reasoning skills.
• Demonstrated technical skills where applicable (e.g., maintenance roles may require documented electrical knowledge).

Position Required Competencies:

• 4-year college degree from an accredited institution preferred (experience may be considered in lieu).
• Strong ERP system knowledge, Microsoft Excel, and Access or equivalent database skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in team environments.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize and multi-task.
• Clear communication skills across all levels of the organization and with external partners.

Preferred:

• 2+ years experience as a Materials Manager in a production setting.
• Experience in medical device or regulated industry environments.
• Familiarity with QAD ERP or similar systems.
• ASCM CPIM certification.