Overseas Parts & Inventory Control Specialist

Overseas Parts Buyer

The Overseas Parts Buyer plays a key role in supporting production control and logistics operations by managing inventory control, production planning support, supplier coordination and container/shipment tracking. This role ensures material availability, inventory accuracy, and timely delivery to support uninterrupted production while optimizing cost and warehouse utilization.

The incumbent is expected to perform the following functions that the company has determined are essential to this position:

• Manage inventory for approximately 300 production parts to support customer demand, maintain target inventory levels, and reduce excess stock.
• Analyze daily logistics reports, external warehouse reports, in-transit shipments, supplier lead times, and production plans to determine parts ordering needs.
• Place and monitor orders with overseas suppliers to ensure production parts arrive on time.
• Track container shipments and develop simulations to identify possible delays, shortages, and expedite requirements.
• Coordinate with customs brokers, suppliers, external warehouses, and internal teams to support import/export activity and production readiness.
• Prepare export documentation for the return of empty totes overseas in accordance with legal and customs requirements.
• Maintain accurate inventory records by reviewing inbound and outbound activity from external warehouse reports.
• Support engineering and schedule changes by communicating with suppliers and tracking affected parts from shipment through production use.
• Work closely with Quality to help ensure good parts are available and delivered to production.
• Coordinate packaging change activity, including verification and cross-functional meetings prior to implementation.
• Submit insurance claims for damaged materials or shipments as needed.
• Complete required documentation for scrap disposal and related inventory activity.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Excel.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Ability to communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, suppliers, brokers, and external warehouse partners.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify issues, evaluate possible solutions, and take appropriate action.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy when reviewing reports, tracking parts, and maintaining inventory records.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong follow-up skills with the ability to track open items through completion.
• Ability to work independently while also supporting team and department goals.

Beneficial Skills and Experience:

• Minimum 1 year of experience in an automotive manufacturing environment.
• Knowledgeable in lean production concepts such as OEE, KANBAN, FIFO, BOM.

Education/Training/Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Logistics, Operations Management, or a related field preferred or minimum 3 years of experience in Production Planning/Management, Sales or Procurement.

Work Authorization Requirement:

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

Travel Requirements:

• Approximately 0 % Must be willing and available to travel to such locations and with such frequency as is necessary and desirable to meet business needs.

Work Environment Requirements:

• With reasonable accommodation: Must be able to operate a personal computer, telephone, and other office equipment.
• Must perform job duties onsite, when necessary, except those duties that are customarily or by their nature performed offsite (for example, offsite customer visits).
• Must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.