As an Operational Supplier Manager in an “outsourced manufacturing” model, you are the “control tower” for material availability across a network of contract manufacturers (CMs), suppliers, and logistics partners. You ensure materials are available **in the right quantity, at the right location, at the right time to support production and customer delivery—despite indirect control over execution and frequently changing constraints.
This role requires strong cross-functional collaboration internally (Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Inventory Planning, S&OP and S&OE leads, Operational Buying, Quality, Logistics) and disciplined supplier-facing coordination externally (CMs, tier suppliers, freight providers). You will balance service, inventory, cost, and risk, and lead exception management when supply and demand do not match.
Material Planning & MRP Execution
- Translate supply plans into material requirements using MRP (e.g. Oracle) and planning tools
- Maintain and continuously improve planning parameters (e.g. lead times, safety stock, MOQ, lot sizes, reorder points)
- Manage call-offs, releases, and replenishment signals to suppliers and contract manufacturers within agreed planning horizons
- Validate system outputs and correct exceptions caused by master data issues, forecast anomalies, or BOM/route changes
Supplier & Contract Manufacturer Coordination (External Execution)
- Align with contract manufacturers or suppliers on build schedules, material readiness, inbound windows, and inventory positions (supplier/CM-managed)
- Coordinate with suppliers to confirm capacity, lead times, allocation constraints, and delivery commitments
- Drive adherence to orders / plans and escalate deviations through defined escalation paths
- Support sourcing strategies by providing data on supply reliability, constraints, etc.
- Proactively identify material risks (e.g. shortages, long lead-time exposures, logistics disruption)
- Lead cross-functional **recovery actions** (substitution, expedite, reschedule, partial shipments)
- Run scenario checks (“what-if”) to quantify impact on service levels, production, and inventory
- Maintain a risk dashboard for critical materials and define mitigation plans
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Planning Governance
- Participate in regular planning cadences (e.g., Supply review, shortage meetings, S&OE coordination)
- Provide clear, timely communication to stakeholders on constraints, risks, and mitigation options
Data Quality, Compliance & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain high-quality master data (e.g. material master, lead times, vendor data, MRP types, safety stock, BOM accuracy) in collaboration with Master Data/Engineering
- Report (Excel/Power BI) and track KPIs and highlight root causes of recurring issues
- Contribute to sustainability objectives by reducing waste, avoiding unnecessary premium freight, and optimizing material usage
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years** experience in material planning, supply planning, procurement coordination, or inventory management—ideally within outsourced/ external manufacturing environment
- Strong working knowledge of ERP / MRP (SAP, Oracle, or similar) and planning fundamentals
- Demonstrated experience managing suppliers/CMs in a global environment (multi-time-zone, multi-location)
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with a structured, data-driven approach.
- Familiarity with planning and supply chain concepts: lead times, MOQs, safety stock, forecast consumption, service/inventory trade-offs
- Exposure to NPI/change control processes and lifecycle planning (phase-in/phase-out).
Preferred
- APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP) or equivalent.
- Experience with Power BI (or similar), advanced Excel, and data visualization/reporting.
SKILLS REQUIRED:
- Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving – Intermediate
- Communication - Advanced
- Contract Management - Basic
- Cost Control and Analysis - Intermediate
- Demand Management - Intermediate
- Exception leadership - Advanced
- Inventory Management - Advanced
- Material Planning - Expert
- Procurement - Intermediate
- Risk Management - Intermediate
- Stakeholder Management - Advanced
- Supply and Inventory Management – Advanced