Supply Chain Business Partner

Lhoist•Calera, AL

About The Position

The Supply Chain Business Partner leads transportation strategy and supply chain planning for Lhoist North America’s East Lime business. The role manages transportation pricing and logistics budgets; supports rail, barge, and truck contract negotiations; oversees industrial track agreements and related infrastructure; and coordinates railcar and barge movements with plants and terminals. The position leads short-, mid-, and long-term supply chain analysis, including monthly sales and operations planning, forecasting, inventory management, capacity and terminal studies, and supply chain network optimization. It partners with Sales, Operations, Finance, Manufacturing, Strategy, and regional teams on budgets, forecasts, investment analyses, sourcing opportunities, and business improvement initiatives. The role also supports customer service, transportation compliance, vendor relationships, invoice payment, KPI reporting, and continuous improvement. The position manages and develops the shipping and logistics team, including staffing, employee selection, performance management, coaching, training, and employee relations. Work takes place in office, mining, and mineral processing environments, with regular access to plant sites and travel of up to 30% as needed. The employee may be required to work any shift, on-call, overtime, or seven days a week when business needs require.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Six to ten years of progressive supply chain management experience; experience in heavy manufacturing, bulk materials, transportation, chemical, cement, construction, mining, mineral, or clay processing environments is preferred.
Previous experience with major transportation modes, including truck, barge, and rail, is preferred.
A proven track record of increasing responsibility and results is required.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate at all organizational levels.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Strong presentation and public-speaking skills.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects while meeting deadlines.
Strong sense of urgency in meeting customer needs.
Solid understanding of safety and environmental requirements and commitment to following established procedures.
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Ability to work in an ERP environment and use related reporting and data warehouses; SAP/BW is preferred.
Ability to collaborate across Sales, regional management, Operations, Logistics, Finance, and Supply Chain.
Ability to apply, direct, supervise, train, and educate stakeholders and direct reports in network optimization, linear programming, S&OP, short-term production planning, supply chain, and logistics planning.
Strong systems integration, data management, and analytical skills.
Ability to work any shift, on-call, overtime, or seven days a week when needed by the business.
Ability to travel up to 30% as needed or directed by leadership.
Ability to perform assigned work and access all plant locations, including areas at heights of up to 200 feet, confined spaces, ladders, stairs, and tunnels.
Ability to tolerate severe weather and industrial conditions including heat, cold, noise, vibration, oils, dust, fumes, and metallic particles.
Ability to perform standing, walking, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, talking, seeing, hearing, and sitting as required.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, Finance, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent work experience, is desired.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or another Engineering discipline is desired.
A master’s degree is a plus.
Seven years of proven supply chain management experience is preferred, particularly in heavy manufacturing, bulk materials, transportation, chemical, cement, construction, mining, mineral, or clay processing.
Experience across truck, barge, and rail transportation is preferred.
Prior experience in heavy industry is desired.
Experience in bulk material, chemical, or mining-material supply and logistics processes is desired.
Experience leading change management initiatives is desired.
Training and experience leading and solving difficult problems is a plus.
Interest and a history of implementing innovative solutions and driving continuous improvement in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial business setting.

Responsibilities

Provide competitive, accurate, and timely transportation pricing and implement transportation strategy for Sales and Marketing, Supply Chain, and Logistics within the LNA East Lime business.
Lead and streamline logistics budget processes.
Assist with due diligence for rail, barge, and truck contract negotiations to reduce total freight spend.
Oversee development of industrial track agreements, track expansions, land arrangements, and track leases for East Lime plants and terminals.
Coordinate with the railcar leader to maintain consistent railcar movement and avoid terminal pipeline gaps.
Coordinate with terminals on barge movements to limit gaps.
Lead short-term, mid-term, and strategic supply chain analysis and planning.
Manage the monthly sales and operations planning process with regional management, operate the S&OP model, and recommend production and distribution strategies.
Drive implementation of short-term sales and operations planning tools and processes with regional supply chain and logistics teams.
Lead long-term strategic studies for capacity investments, terminal placement, and related matters.
Analyze forecast accuracy and work with regional sales teams to improve it.
Manage and monitor inventory levels and identify inventory management improvements.
Maintain regular communication with Sales and Operations and reconcile transportation issues with plants and terminals.
Identify business improvement opportunities and develop project plans that meet schedule, budget, regulatory, and strategic requirements.
Use logistics and transportation competency centers to improve performance at plants and terminals.
Support investment analyses for capital and other decisions, including expansions, new business, acquisitions, divestitures, rationalizations, and supply chain network changes.
Manage third-party material-purchase relationships and ensure agreements are followed.
Conduct periodic analyses to help ensure East Lime remains appropriately sized.
Explain the costs and benefits of additional sales opportunities as required.
Support budgeting and forecasting with Finance, Supply Chain and Logistics, Regional Management, Sales, Operations, Strategy, Manufacturing, and other stakeholders.
Perform strategic analyses of the effects of plant expansions, rationalizations, and acquisitions on the East Lime supply chain.
Identify projects and alternative sourcing methods to optimize margins and cash flow.
Interact with internal and external customers and transportation contractors.
Support total quality and continuous improvement of customer confidence by understanding customer quality and quantity requirements in relation to inventory and customer needs.
Ensure locations comply with transportation guidelines.
Coordinate with the customer service manager and team to align transportation options with customer needs.
Train and guide customer service and site shipping teams on supply chain systems, tools, and models.
Apply operations research tools, including simulation, to solve supply chain and logistics problems.
Collaborate with regions and functions across the organization.
Ensure timely payment of terminal, truck, barge, and rail invoices.
Interpret data to assess past performance and project probabilities to support business decisions.
Manage and track supply chain and logistics KPIs and report performance to senior management.
Implement processes, systems, and technology to improve customer service and shipping effectiveness and efficiency.
Set the direction and vision of the shipping and logistics team, including staffing, performance standards, hiring, discipline, and employee development.
Support effective employee and team relations through coaching, development, employment decisions, and problem resolution.
Communicate honestly, effectively, and promptly with the team.
Enforce company policies and procedures fairly and consistently.
Own transportation results and ensure monthly actuals are accurate and complete.
Develop and implement optimization strategies to reduce costs, improve delivery times, and enhance the delivery experience.
Develop and maintain transportation vendor relationships to control costs.
Perform other duties as assigned.