Supply Planning Specialist

dlfseedsas•La Crosse, WI

12h•Onsite

About The Position

The Supply Planning Specialist is responsible for ensuring all distribution site seed requirements are accurately forecasted, secured, and positioned to support operational needs and customer demand. This role works across the supply chain to maintain product availability, optimize inventory placement, and support efficient distribution operations. The Supply Planning Specialist plays a key role in ensuring seed is available where and when it is needed to best serve both internal and external customers while supporting company growth and service objectives. The Supply Planning Specialist is responsible for ensuring the right products are available at the appropriate locations to support mixing operations and meet customer demand. This position develops and maintains supply forecasts, analyzes inventory and sales trends, coordinates procurement and inventory movement activities, and works closely with operations leadership to optimize inventory levels throughout the distribution network. The role collaborates extensively with the Director of US Distribution Operations, Lead Buyer, Inventory & Quality Control Manager, Operations Managers, and other cross-functional teams to support supply planning, inventory management, process improvement initiatives, and overall supply chain performance.

Requirements

Experience in supply chain planning, inventory management, procurement, logistics, or a related field.
Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, reporting, and data analysis.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Strong organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating instructions, maintenance procedures, and policy manuals.
Ability to perform business calculations including discounts, freight estimates, dimensional weight calculations, invoices, and percentages.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Ability to learn and effectively utilize new software applications and systems.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Microsoft Dynamics NAV (Navision).
Experience with supply forecasting and inventory planning methodologies.
Familiarity with Lean principles and continuous improvement practices.
Experience in a distribution, manufacturing, agricultural, or supply chain environment.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain a 12-month rolling supply forecast based on demand, historical sales trends, and business requirements.
Ensure all distribution site seed requirements are forecasted and secured to support operational and customer needs.
Coordinate and monitor the timely delivery of incoming goods, including purchased materials and intercompany transfers.
Maintain accurate inventory information and support inventory integrity across all locations.
Monitor the quality, quantity, cost, and efficiency of the movement and storage of goods, including raw materials, packaging, and related items.
Analyze sales demand on a weekly and monthly basis to ensure adequate inventory levels are maintained at the appropriate locations.
Provide bi-weekly reports to leadership regarding inventory availability and the organization's ability to meet forecasted sales demand.
Partner with the operations management team to ensure seed supply is procured and positioned to meet business needs.
Collaborate across departments to align resources and inventory strategies with changing business requirements.
Identify opportunities for cost savings through strategic inventory placement and distribution planning.
Communicate key planning issues, risks, and opportunities to the management team and provide recommendations to support business decisions.
Work closely with the SSS team to place orders in the most effective locations to serve customers.
Establish and improve cross-functional operational processes that enhance planning efficiency and effectiveness.
Ensure management, sales teams, and employees are informed of planning objectives, inventory strategies, and new initiatives.
Create and maintain minimum and maximum inventory levels for regularly used items at each site.
Provide detailed planning information to support floor stocking plans across all distribution locations.
Ensure incoming items are assigned to the appropriate item segment codes and inventory classifications.
Support continuous improvement initiatives related to inventory planning, forecasting accuracy, and supply chain performance.