Roles and responsibilities
Essential Functions
- Plan, develop, organize, direct, manage and evaluate the personnel, operations and budget of supply chain
- Understand business unit needs, service those needs, and maintain and develop positive business
relationships with a customer’s key personnel involved in or directly relevant to supply chain activities.
- Manage vendor relationships (e.g., third party logistics)
- Collaborate with staff, other departments, senior management, and decision makers to share information,
problem solve, and to clarify management objectives
- Oversee organization wide management of the strategic sourcing, procurement, contracting, and evaluation
of services
- Manage / coordinate the sales and operations planning process including supply / demand forecasting,
inventory management, and on time delivery
- Develop annual plans with prioritization and resourcing
- Develop the supply chain strategy for the organization
- Manage and execute procurement related functions (e.g., develop and implement contract management
and procurement frameworks, sourcing strategies, negotiate agreements, draft and manage contracts, etc.)
- Monitor and analyze current trends in the marketplace
- Direct and manage corporate governance and regulatory compliance
- Identify and manage risk within the supply chain
- Address tactical and strategic supply chain issues
- Stay informed of advances in supply chain technology and approaches, and apply within the organization to
improve supply chain processes
- Establish key performance indicators, monitor ongoing performance, and improve performance against set
goals
- Develop and implement new systems, best practices, inventory control, demand planning, and other
optimizations in order to grow the business
Other Responsibilities
- Develop and implement profit improvement plans and change management plans
- Communicate values, business goals, and represent the organization to internal and external stakeholders
- Manage contractor and subcontractor activities, reviewing proposals, developing performance
specifications, and serving as a liaison with the organization
- Identify potential projects to deliver changes and improvements to the supply chain and commission
Desired candidate profile
1. Logistics Management
- Transportation Coordination: Managing the movement of goods from suppliers to warehouses and from warehouses to customers, optimizing routes, and selecting the best transportation methods.
- Shipping and Distribution: Overseeing shipping procedures, ensuring products are delivered on time and in good condition. This includes managing third-party logistics providers (3PLs).
- Inventory Management: Ensuring that inventory levels are optimized to prevent overstocking or stockouts, implementing systems for tracking inventory, and reducing excess inventory.
2. Procurement and Sourcing
- Supplier Relationship Management: Developing and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and vendors, negotiating contracts, and ensuring timely delivery of materials or products.
- Strategic Sourcing: Identifying reliable suppliers, evaluating their performance, and negotiating competitive pricing while ensuring the quality of materials.
- Cost Reduction: Identifying opportunities to reduce procurement costs without compromising quality, through bulk buying, supplier negotiations, or process improvements.
3. Demand Planning and Forecasting
- Forecasting: Using historical data, market trends, and sales projections to predict demand and ensure that the right amount of inventory is available at the right time.
- Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP): Collaborating with sales, marketing, and finance departments to align inventory levels with expected customer demand, ensuring smooth operations.
- Capacity Planning: Ensuring that the organization’s supply chain can meet demand fluctuations, whether it involves increasing production, improving logistics, or sourcing new suppliers.
4. Supply Chain Optimization
- Process Improvement: Analyzing current supply chain processes and identifying inefficiencies, then implementing improvements to reduce costs, enhance productivity, and improve delivery times.
- Technology Implementation: Using supply chain software (such as SAP, Oracle, or other ERP systems) to streamline processes, improve visibility, and increase automation in procurement, inventory management, and order processing.
- Lean Management: Implementing lean principles to eliminate waste, reduce inventory, and improve operational efficiency across the supply chain.
5. Risk Management
- Supply Chain Risk Assessment: Identifying potential risks in the supply chain, such as supply shortages, natural disasters, geopolitical factors, or transportation disruptions, and developing strategies to mitigate those risks.
- Business Continuity Planning: Developing contingency plans to ensure that operations continue smoothly in the face of supply chain disruptions.
- Vendor Risk Management: Assessing and managing risks associated with suppliers, including financial stability, capacity, and compliance with quality and safety standards.
6. Financial Acumen
- Budgeting and Cost Control: Managing the supply chain budget, controlling costs, and tracking expenses related to procurement, warehousing, transportation, and logistics.
- ROI and Profitability: Analyzing and calculating the return on investment (ROI) for supply chain improvements or investments, ensuring that decisions contribute to the overall profitability of the organization.
- Cost-benefit Analysis: Evaluating potential supply chain changes, considering both short-term and long-term costs, and benefits to ensure that they align with the company’s financial goals.
7. Data Analysis and Reporting
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Defining and tracking KPIs (such as delivery times, order accuracy, inventory turnover, and transportation costs) to measure supply chain performance.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Analyzing data related to supply chain operations and making informed decisions based on key metrics and insights.
- Reporting: Creating regular reports for senior management on supply chain performance, inventory levels, supplier performance, and any issues or challenges.