Finished Goods Buyer/Planner

The Finished Good Buyer/Planner is responsible for ensuring the availability of product in the designated location to meet customer demand. Planner is responsible for the inventory lifecycle and inventory control from product launch through balance out. Requires cross functional coordination with Sales, Customer Service, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering and Quality to meet customer requirements. Conduct Inventory management of finished goods and work closely with client base and Customer Experience to resolve major problems with orders, delivery dates and freight requirements.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Support the overall SCM effort in achieving key objectives related to customer delivery, cost and inventory control
• Responsible for inventory planning
• Follows the Make/Buy direction from Sourcing team to obtain FGs from internal or External sources as identified
• Collaborate with Production Planning team of maintain inventory levels for assigned products in support of customer requirements and forecast
• Develop and implement planning parameters for fulfillment locations based on customer forecast
• Response to calls involving delivery, expedites and changes impacting the FG flow plan
• Initiate transfer orders, purchase order requisitions and or expedites
• Follow orders to ensure on time delivery in conjunction with Logistics department
• Collaborate with Operations team to obtain relevant information on the Sales order (order & delivery status etc.)
• Proactively identify any supply constraints on FG delivery and seek resolution to protect customer delivery – escalate as required
• Work to resolve customer shortages working with Manufacturing, Logistics and Sales Operations as required
• Help facilitate trial processes and movements for major accounts.
• Possess a good understanding of business lines and respective solutions/capabilities provided to clients.
• Monitor and report on inventory positions and communicate to internal stakeholders
• Monitor and assess functionality of internal tools and provide feedback on improvements
• Establish strong and collaborative working relationships with internal cross-functional teams and managers.
• Monitor forecasts and quotes to identify changes or to determine their effect on supply chain activities.
• Facilitate external major account FG inventory/ required reporting illustrating min/max requirements.
• Work with Supply Chain department on 3PL relationships.
• Enter and receive IBT’s to and from 3PL locations. Provide consumable demand to CE reps regarding 3PLs in their oversight.
• Manage offsite inventory levels to ensure appropriate minimums.
• Coordinate with Logistics to ensure customer requirements for delivery are met.
• Lead the FG Balance out process to ensure no excess and obsolete inventory impact
• Ability to follow critical issues in off hours
• Other duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications:

General:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
• Understanding of ERP platforms – D365 a plus
• Knowledge of costs analysis, inventory management, supply chain and logistics. manage forecast models, budgets, statistical analysis
• Ability to adapt to rapid change and work in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of import/export processes, incoterms, customs processes
• Understand EDI work flow.

Education and/or Experience:

• 3 - 5 years Material Planning or Supply Chain experience in a manufacturing environment
• Minimum of a High School Diploma or GED is required
• Associates Degree or college certification(s) are preferred

Language Skills:

• Capable of speaking, reading and writing English and have excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication, planning, negotiation and organizational skills and the ability to independently manage a heavy workload.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Mathematical Skills:

• Possess ability to work with mathematical concepts, such as, probability and statistics. Apply concepts, such as, fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Understand Metric and English measurement units. be able to read and understand die-lines, product diagrams and product specifications.

Reasoning Ability:

• Have the ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. be able to use good judgement and ask questions as needed.

Computer Skills:

• Be computer literate and efficient in the use of Microsoft Office programs- Required
• Be capable of using ERP system for order entry and purchase order review
• Be able to learn and apply new office programs or modules in the ERP as required
• Must have the ability to use computer graphics programs to review designs, layouts, and product configurations.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Passport as needed for international travel

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Requires that the employee sit at a computer up to 90% of the time, be able to lift 10 lbs. and be capable of operating standard office equipment such as a computer, copier, mail machine, printer, fax, stapler and other various pieces of office equipment.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Employee will primarily be working in an office environment to perform the essential functions of the job.