Supply Chain Associate Manager, Materials

Merz North America•Racine, WI

About The Position

Responsible for local supply and inventory planning of raw materials, components, and chemicals for finished goods manufactured at contract manufacturers and Merz’s Wisconsin manufacturing facility. Plans supply to ensure sufficient finished-goods inventory, considering material availability, lead times, inventory carrying costs, and customer demand. Works with managers and key personnel in Sales and Marketing, Production, and Supply Chain to gather information and develop and maintain supply plans. The role develops supply plans using established planning procedures and guidelines, monitors forecasts and production requirements, maintains ERP/MRP planning data, supports new product launches, and helps optimize inventory and manage backorders. It identifies and communicates supply risks and shortages, escalating issues outside established processes to the Manager, Supply Chain Planning with relevant analysis and recommended options.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Sciences, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business, or an applicable field.
Experience in supply chain, such as purchasing, supplier management, demand planning, and/or supply planning.
At least 2 years of work experience, or an equivalent combination of training, education, and experience demonstrating the ability to perform the duties.
Ability to interact effectively across functions, including Marketing, R&D, Purchasing, Finance, and Quality.
Experience dealing with suppliers; ability to multitask, prioritize work, and implement processes and efficiencies.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and effective presentation skills.
Knowledge of established supply-planning, inventory-management, and material-replenishment methods, procedures, and guidelines.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, sufficient to analyze planning information and communicate results.
Excellent oral and written English communication skills.
Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and common business applications, including maintaining planning data, reviewing system outputs, identifying routine data issues, and coordinating corrections in accordance with established procedures.
Ability to collaborate effectively with Sales and Marketing, Manufacturing, Engineering, Purchasing, Finance, Quality, and Supply Chain and seek appropriate input to accomplish shared goals.
Commitment to accurate, timely, and complete work that supports the Supply Chain team and related workflows.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employer-sponsored work authorization.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain supply plans for raw materials, chemicals, and components required to make finished goods at contract manufacturers.
Monitor forecasts, sales trends, customer demand, production requirements, and lead times to maintain adequate inventory while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.
Escalate non-routine supply risks, significant shortages, and issues requiring exceptions to established processes to the Manager, Supply Chain Planning, with analysis and recommended options.
Maintain accurate ERP/MRP master data and periodically review planning data to identify inaccuracies or opportunities for improvement.
Coordinate assigned material, supplier, and ERP/MRP setup activities with cross-functional partners to support new product launches.
Maintain minimal to no backorders on products released to market.
Identify potential shortages and communicate risks to the Manager and relevant cross-functional partners.
Build and maintain inventory at levels agreed upon in management objectives.
Analyze materials and determine optimum safety stock.
Coordinate multi-discipline activities, track dependencies, communicate status, and escalate issues outside established procedures or individual decision authority.