Inventory Planner II

Basic Function

As a member of our dynamic Supply & Asset Management team, you will play a critical role in helping us supply our products to a global customer base. In this hybrid role, you will be responsible for maintaining accurate, strategic, and real-time inventory positions for your assigned business area, utilizing analytical and forecasting tools to understand challenges and present solutions to the business and North America Supply Chain organization. In addition, you will be responsible for providing top tier customer service as part of our domestic and/or export order fulfillment process. During a typical day, you may receive orders, check product availability, coordinate product transportation and delivery, and ensure accurate invoicing. This position will support the APS business. The position offers a competitive base salary, bonus,401K matching, generous benefits package, pension plan, parking subsidy and employee discounts.

Roles & Responsibilities

•    Manage inventory to fulfill customer orders for assigned products or shipping locations while using optimum transportation modes to ensure on-time shipping and lead time, focusing on meeting and exceeding customer expectations.
•    Act as the main point of contact and work independently to coordinate inbound and outbound movements of products from assigned shipping location(s) and / or product line(s). Product movements may be packaged (boxes, bags, or drums) or in bulk via truck, rail, barge, vessel, export container, or pipeline depending on the business supported.
•    Build and establish relationships with third party logistics (3PL) service providers, become familiar with terminal, transportation, and inspection operations (where applicable). 
•    Effectively deliver and facilitate communication across 3PL providers, internal Supply Chain contacts and the business – including, but not limited to operations planning,  commercial management, and manufacturing to provide answers regarding product availability. Proactively provide solutions to time-sensitive needs.
•    Manage products in-transit, third party inventory storage, and exchange agreements (where applicable).
•    Partner with inventory accounting to accurately reconcile inventory at the conclusion of each month.
•    Contribute to efforts on problem resolution and root cause analysis of quality and service incidents while involving others as appropriate to accomplish the task. 
•    Assure and maintain accuracy of material and/or master data in SAP and extended systems.
•    Demonstrate independent knowledge of the Enterprise system (SAP), extended system tools, and assist team members and 3PL providers with full utilization of these tools.
•    Actively participate in system improvement or other customer fulfillment projects. 
•    Partner with peers to provide solutions, guidance to resolve customer fulfillment of business-related problems. 
•    Manage the domestic and/or export order fulfillment process for complex accounts.
•    Act as the main point of contact for all customer order-related issues. 
•    Establish relationships with customers and internal stakeholders, clearly understand customer habits, requirements, and order patterns. 
 

Min. Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years' relevant, industry related experience. 
• A Bachelors' degree is strongly preferred.   Will consider candidates with High School Diploma that have at least 8 years' relevant experience in lieu of a Bachelor's degree. 
• Strong analytical skills. Comfortable consolidating and analyzing data in Microsoft Excel, as well as utilizing statistical forecasting and modeling. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Complex problem resolution abilities.
• Must demonstrate effective communication skills, both oral and written.
• Able to maintain professionalism and prioritize responsibilities in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Composed in time-sensitive situations, comfortable delivering difficult news.
• The ideal candidate will have experience working in SAP.
• Order fulfillment experience with direct order management or logistics coordination.
• Knowledge of transportation tracking systems, inventory management tools, and an understanding of the manufacturing/production process.
• Able to conduct research, prepare comprehensive reports, and present complex financial and statistical information in a clear and succinct fashion.

Competencies