Demand & Supply Chain Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

The Demand & Supply Chain Specialist is responsible for supporting demand planning, purchasing operations, inventory management, and supply chain activities to ensure the efficient flow of materials throughout the organization. This position serves as a key link between Purchasing, Production, Warehouse, Quality, Customer Service, and suppliers to maintain material availability, inventory accuracy, and alignment between customer demand, procurement activities, and production requirements.

The Demand & Supply Chain Specialist manages inventory transactions, monitors material requirements, supports purchasing activities, and assists in balancing demand with available supply. This role is responsible for improving inventory visibility, maintaining accurate ERP system data, supporting production scheduling, and driving supply chain performance through analytical reporting and continuous improvement initiatives. The position requires strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills, along with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Schedule : Mon – Thurs, 6 am-4:30 pm (4 days/10 hrs) or Mon – Fri, 7 am – 3:30 pm (5 days/ 8 hrs)

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off, paid holidays  

Primary Responsibilities:

Demand Planning & Supply Planning

• Support demand planning activities by reviewing customer forecasts, sales requirements, historical demand trends, and production schedules.
• Assist in balancing demand with available supply to ensure material availability while minimizing excess inventory.
• Monitor inventory levels, forecasted requirements, and supply constraints to identify shortages, risks, and opportunities.
• Communicate material availability concerns and supply risks to management and cross-functional teams.
• Support Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), forecasting, and material planning activities.

Purchasing & Supplier Coordination

• Create, maintain, and monitor purchase orders within SAP Business One and other company systems.
• Coordinate with suppliers regarding order status, delivery schedules, shortages, lead times, and shipment tracking.
• Follow up on open purchase orders to ensure timely delivery of materials.
• Assist in maintaining supplier records, purchasing data, pricing information, and related documentation.
• Support supplier performance monitoring including on-time delivery, responsiveness, and quality metrics.

Inventory Management & Control

• Maintain and monitor inventory records to ensure system accuracy and visibility.
• Coordinate and perform cycle count programs, inventory audits, physical inventories, and inventory reconciliations.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies, transaction errors, and stock variances to determine root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure inventory transactions, receipts, transfers, adjustments, and production issues are processed accurately and timely.
• Maintain accountability for inventory existence, location, traceability, and control.
• Ensure inventory policies, procedures, and internal controls are consistently followed.

Production & Operations Support

• Work closely with Production and Warehouse personnel to ensure material availability for manufacturing operations.
• Assist in determining material requirements and quantities needed to support production orders while minimizing overproduction.
• Support efficient production scheduling by ensuring material plans align with manufacturing requirements.
• Coordinate material movement and inventory transactions between departments.
• Assist in resolving inventory, material, and supply chain issues impacting production.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Prepare and distribute daily, weekly, and monthly inventory, purchasing, and supply chain reports.
• Analyze demand, inventory, purchasing, and supplier performance data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to inventory accuracy, inventory turns, supplier performance, shortages, and material availability.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on inventory optimization, procurement efficiency, and supply chain performance.
• Support internal and external audit activities as required.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate records within ERP, inventory management, and business reporting systems.
• Collaborate effectively with Purchasing, Production, Customer Service, Quality, Warehouse, Accounting, and Management teams.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in supply chain, purchasing, inventory management, demand planning, manufacturing operations, or a related field. 
• Experience with SAP Business One or similar ERP systems. 
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including pivot tables, lookups, reporting, and data analysis. 
• Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving abilities. 
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to work independently while coordinating effectively across multiple departments. 
• High attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.

Preferred

• Previous experience in the leather industry with knowledge of leather grades, specifications, manufacturing processes, yield calculations, and quality requirements.
• Experience with demand forecasting, inventory planning, MRP, or S&OP processes.
• Experience using inventory management software, business intelligence tools, and reporting systems.
• Familiarity with warehouse management systems (WMS), barcode scanning systems, and transaction-based inventory controls.
• Experience supporting manufacturing and production scheduling activities.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position operates primarily in an office and manufacturing/warehouse environment. This position requires effective verbal and written communication, the operation of standard office equipment, and the use of a computer for extended periods. The position may require occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting or moving materials weighing up to 20 pounds. 

The physical requirements described above represent the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.