Supply Chain Specialist

US Conec•Hickory, NC

About The Position

US Conec is seeking a Supply Chain Specialist to support procurement, planning, and execution of materials and finished goods to enable on-time customer delivery. The role balances customer demand, inventory, supplier performance, and production requirements while collaborating with Production, Engineering, Customer Service, Logistics, Quality, and suppliers to improve supply chain operations. The specialist purchases materials and services, maintains purchase orders and planning data in JD Edwards (JDE), plans material and finished-goods requirements using ERP/MRP tools, and coordinates supply plans with manufacturing schedules and customer needs. The role also manages supplier performance and relationships, negotiates commercial and delivery terms, coordinates inbound shipments and customs-related activities when required, monitors inventory and supply risks, and supports S&OP and continuous improvement initiatives. US Conec offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. Employment is restricted to individuals legally authorized to work in the United States; sponsorship is not provided. US Conec is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an inclusive environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
At least 3 years of experience in purchasing, material planning, production planning, or supply chain operations in a manufacturing environment.
Experience purchasing component parts and managing supplier relationships.
Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems; JD Edwards (JDE) or comparable platforms preferred.
Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, inventory control, demand planning, and production scheduling.
Ability to analyze demand, inventory, supplier performance, and operational data to support business decisions.
Strong problem-solving, organizational, and prioritization skills.
Effective communication and collaboration skills in a cross-functional manufacturing environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other business systems used for planning and analysis.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; sponsorship is not provided.

Nice To Haves

APICS/ASCM certification, such as CPIM, CSCP, or a related credential.
Experience supporting Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes.
Experience with supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives.
Knowledge of international shipping, customs documentation, and HTS classifications.
Experience supporting new product introductions and engineering change management.
Background in continuous improvement methodologies in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

Purchase component parts, raw materials, packaging materials, and outside processing services for manufacturing operations and customer demand.
Create, release, and maintain purchase orders in JD Edwards (JDE), ensuring accurate supplier, pricing, lead-time, and planning data.
Develop supply and purchasing strategies aligned with production schedules, inventory objectives, and customer delivery requirements.
Monitor supplier quality, delivery, responsiveness, and adherence to lead times.
Negotiate supplier pricing, delivery schedules, lead times, and order quantities.
Build supplier partnerships and drive improvement in quality, cost, and delivery.
Identify and resolve supplier capacity constraints, shortages, and delivery risks through communication and recovery planning.
Support new product introductions, engineering changes, supplier transitions, and cross-functional improvement projects.
Coordinate inbound material shipments and support customs clearance, including HTS compliance when required.
Use JDE and MRP tools to plan finished goods and material requirements based on demand, forecasts, and inventory strategies.
Review and execute MRP recommendations to ensure timely replenishment and uninterrupted production.
Develop and maintain material and supply plans that support customer ship dates and service-level objectives.
Balance customer demand, supplier lead times, manufacturing capacity, and inventory levels to optimize material flow.
Monitor production schedules and adjust supply plans as priorities and customer requirements change.
Coordinate with Production Planning to align manufacturing schedules with customer demand.
Identify material shortages, supply risks, and capacity constraints before they affect production or customer deliveries.
Develop recovery plans with suppliers, logistics partners, and internal stakeholders to mitigate disruptions.
Monitor raw-material, work-in-process, and finished-goods inventory to maintain targeted inventory investments.
Provide material availability, inventory, and supply-planning information for S&OP activities.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives for supply chain performance, inventory management, and customer satisfaction.