SR. SUPPLY PLANNER at True Value Company in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

The Vendor Performance Management team is responsible for the efficient replenishment of product into the Regional Distribution Centers. The primary responsibility of the Sr Planner is to develop replenishment plans based on sales forecasts, shipment histories, and merchandising and marketing plans. This role partners with supply chain partners to ensure space, storage and labor requirements align with inventory needs. Maintains and advances relationships with key and critical vendors and supports an area of inventory (e.g., RDC Planning, Offline Planning, Import Planning or Strategic Planning). Executes the supply plan by issuing and tracking purchase orders. This position is a key driver in providing industry leading fill rates to customers and managing inventory levels. Makes decisions that impact the supply plan and communicates decisions to stakeholders. The planner contributes to special projects and other supply chain initiatives as needed.

Responsibilities: (May perform other duties and responsibilities, as assigned).

1.        Leads cross functional meetings to effectively communicate with Merchandising, Vendors, Distribution and Transportation. Builds impactful relationships with strategic vendors and stakeholders to develop building strategies and to identify constraints.  Recommends and implements solutions to meet performance goals with a focus on driving improved vendor fill rates and supply chain efficiencies.

2.        Effectively communicates supply issues with customers through product codes, written and verbal communication. Articulates service-forward strategies for meeting customer demand for a segment of the business (e.g., offline, seasonal, imports, promotional events). Where prevailing assumptions or existing practices are at odds with the strategy, the Planner is responsible for communicating with relevant stakeholders to reach alignment and move forward.

3.        Owns vendor performance and liaises between internal & external stakeholders to manage communications, escalations and improve vendor fill rate performance. Influences suppliers to improve delivery and operational performance through formal communication vehicles and appropriate escalations. Uses historical data, market trends, and insights from merchandising and growth teams to develop responsible plans that satisfy customer demand. Balances the ambiguity between uncertain historical trends and the need to place definitive orders well in advance of anticipated demand. Clearly articulates and documents assumptions or relevant factors in the decision-making process

4.        Determines root causes for supply chain issues and appropriately escalates/engages business partners for quick resolution. Performs gap analysis, identifies causes, recommends, and implements supply chain planning enhancements. Influences and collaborates with key partners across the business to addresses input gaps.

5.        Demonstrates sound business decision-making, aligned with company goals.

6.        Effectively negotiates with suppliers to meet service requirements and manage inbound flow. Evaluates and negotiates purchasing tradeoffs to maximize mutual benefits. Works with various cross-functional teams on projects such as new product launches, line extensions, product discontinuations, etc.

7.        Uses and maintains current replenishment planning systems to create the most efficient recommended orders possible using established processes.

8.        Participates and collaborates with others on supply chain process and best practice improvements. Makes recommendations to enhance business processes and identify opportunities to improve operational inefficiencies.

9.        Plans, executes, monitors, and manages processes that are large in scope and impact to improve key metrics.

10.     Analyzes data and prepares reports for leadership review and communicates performance to partners. Develops, monitors, and communicates reports on forecast accuracy to Business Unit and Supply Chain organizations.

11.     Maintains accurate lead time estimates to ensure that orders are entered at the right time to meet customer demand

Education & Experience:

·         Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain or related field or equivalent experience.

·         5-7 years of experience in Inventory, Merch, Supply Chain, Forecasting, Logistics or Similar

·         Knowledge of JDA or other replenishment system

·         Intermediate MS Office

·         Strong analytical and collaboration skills

·         Deep understanding of total supply chain processes.

·         Ability to quickly identify and resolve issues.

Licenses & Certifications: N/A

Physical Requirements (Delete those that do not apply and only keep those that apply to the role)

·         Balancing, Climbing, Crouching, Hearing, Kneeling, Lifting, Pulling, Pushing, Reaching, Repetitive Motion, Seeing, Sitting, Standing, Stooping, Talking, Typing, Visual Acuity, Walking

Work Environment: Generally, works in climate-controlled office environment.

Travel: Travel may vary in length and duration.

Merchandising

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