Supply Chain Manager

The Supply Chain Manager manages all aspects of direct material supply, including all transactions, planning, procurement, trade compliance, and cost to ensure that customer orders are filled on time. Drive continuous improvement activities to improve inventory accuracy, inventory turns, material costs and other materials department goals as identified. Coordinate with other departments and materials groups to leverage knowledge and best practices. Utilize lean supply management tools to drive efficiency in inventory management, buyer/planner activities and other transactional activities related to materials management.


This position will be performed onsite Monday through Friday at our Berlin, CT office.


What you will be doing:

• Provide functional direction, coaching, and process guidance to Buyer/Planners in support of planning, purchasing, inventory accuracy, supplier follow-up, shortage management, and material availability.
• Provide functional leadership and guidance to Buyer/Planners and Profit Center Managers to ensure consistent application of materials management processes, supply chain best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Manage policies related to the procurement of goods and services
• Establish yearly strategic objectives and support production departments in obtaining those goals
• Assume overall responsibility for the material management goals of the company, such as Material Throughput, Part shortages, Inventory Accuracy and implement plans to ensure that those goals are achieved
• Keep current and manage KPI's (key performance indicators) along with certain programs to monitor performance
• Drive lean transformation throughout the supply chain and continuous improvement in all aspects of the procurement process in conjunction with the Profit Center General Managers
• Oversee Kanban program with external and internal supply base.
• Maintain the privacy and confidentiality of information, protect the assets of the organization, act with ethics and integrity, report non-compliance and adhere to all applicable laws and regulations.
• Work with Buyer/Planners to ensure accuracy of inventory and drive activities for improvement of same.
• Manage excess and obsolete inventory
• Work with suppliers to develop effective business relationships to facilitate improvements in all related aspects of the supplier relationship.
• Achieves financial objectives by working with management group to prepare the materials budget, schedule expenditures, analyze variances and initiate corrective actions.
• Supports cross functional teams to resolve quality issues working with both internal and external resources.
• Responsible for oversight of trade compliance activities related to import and export of goods
• Additional duties/projects as assigned

• Establish and monitor standard work, KPIs, and escalation processes for Buyer/Planner activities, including inventory accuracy, part shortages, supplier delivery, open order management, and excess and obsolete inventory.
• Support Profit Center Managers with input on Buyer/Planner performance related to supply chain process execution, KPI performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement contributions.
• Lead regular materials reviews with Buyer/Planners and Profit Center Managers to identify risks, resolve constraints, improve planning discipline, and drive corrective actions.
• Maintain overall accountability for site materials management processes, including material throughput, part shortages, inventory accuracy, and continuous improvement plans, even where day-to-day Buyer/Planner supervision resides within the profit centers.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to Berlin General Manager and has a dotted line reporting relationship with the Access and Egress Hardware Group Director, Supply Management

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Maintain and provide current understanding of industry best practices and technology developments.
• Identify tools, process and metrics to optimize material throughput
• Leads by example and motivates people so as to create a challenging, empowering and collaborative working environment.
• Strong Lean Manufacturing knowledge
• Strong critical thinking and analytic skills with the ability to use a structured approach to understand, analyze and solve complex problems/issues
• Ability to multitask and contribute in a cross functional collaborative environment
• Detail oriented; ability to meet deadlines and sense of urgency
• Ability to manage and interact at all levels

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor degree in Supply Chain Management or other related field
• Minimum 5-7 years of supply management experience in a high volume factory environment, with proven negotiation skills.
• Advanced knowledge of procurement and inventory principals, theories and processes
• Proven experience dealing with Supply Chain issues like material shortages, quality issues and pricing in a fast paced manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor a professional team of buyers
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access
• Strong knowledge of ERP system - JDE preferred
• Good communications and presentation skills.
• APICS certification a plus

What we Offer!

The annual salary for this role is $130,000-$150,000. The final pay rate offered to the successful candidate will depend on experience, skill level, and other qualifications for the role. Benefits and additional compensation offered for this position are

• Paid time off, including sick and vacation days
• 14 paid holidays (may adjust slightly in future years based on how holiday shutdown schedule falls)
• Discretionary bonus
• Job-protected leave benefits in accordance with applicable law
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Health and flexible savings accounts subject to eligibility requirements
• 401(k) plan with employer contributions and matching subject to plan eligibility
• Supplemental life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability benefits
• Employee discounts

All benefits and additional compensation are governed by applicable Company policies and plans as they currently exist and may be amended in the future.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We are the ASSA ABLOY Group
Our people have made us the global leader in access solutions. In return, we open doors for them wherever they go. With nearly 63,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries, we help billions of people experience a more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces - physical and virtual - safer, more secure, and easier to access.


As an employer, we value results - not titles, or backgrounds. We empower our people to build their career around their aspirations and our ambitions - supporting them with regular feedback, training, and development opportunities. Our colleagues think broadly about where they can make the most impact, and we encourage them to grow their role locally, regionally, or even internationally.

As we welcome new people on board, it's important to us to have diverse, inclusive teams, and we value different perspectives and experiences.