SUMMARY
The Supply Chain Strategist plays a crucial role in overseeing and optimizing Kids2's supply chain operations. Their primary focus is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our supply chain processes. Key responsibilities encompass elevating the accuracy of category demand forecasts by leveraging customer sales projections, evaluating past sales performance, and taking industry dynamics and outlook into account.
Working closely with our dedicated Supply Planning team in Asia, the Supply Chain Manager maintains constant communication to ensure seamless coordination of forecast adjustments. They diligently monitor inventory levels, proactively mitigating any potential excess exposure. Additionally, they spearhead cross-functional meetings that provide a comprehensive overview of inventory and sales status, enabling effective communication and prompt resolution of supply constraints.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Proactively collaborates with the Sales team to forecast demand for new items and address any exceptions promptly.
- Conducts thorough assessments of the demand forecast, identifying both opportunities and risks.
- Takes the lead in organizing monthly meetings focused on inventory and sales status, involving Sales Planning, Sales, and Category Managers.
- Assumes responsibility for leading the ABC item ranking and Safety Stock strategy, ensuring optimal inventory management.
- Establishes operational guardrails and diligently monitors performance against them to maintain efficiency and effectiveness.
- Identifies and communicates concerns related to aged inventory, slow-moving or obsolete items (SLOBs), and other excess inventory issues.
- Monitors and takes appropriate actions based on key performance indicators (forecast accuracy, excess, shortages, inventory value), and collaborates with Supply Chain Leadership to explore improvement opportunities.
- Regularly collaborates with our Asia Supply Team to address supply constraints, production lead times, and forecast changes.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- 4+ years of experience in demand or supply chain planning.
- Strong knowledge of S&OP process in consumer packaged goods industry
- Ideal candidates has experience with S&OP process
EDUCATION & SKILLS
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, engineering, or related field or equivalent work-related experience is required.
- Good communication and teamwork skills
- Critical thinking and analytical skills to interpret data and draw actionable insights
- Detail oriented
COMPUTER/TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Knowledge of demand management/forecasting tools
- Experience using ERP statistical software packages.
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel
- Proficient in Microsoft PowerPoint and Word
- Experience with database applications (Power BI, MS SQL Server, etc.) a plus
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to talk or hear.
- The team member frequently is required to sit; have flexible use of hands; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
- The team member is occasionally required to stand, walk, and taste or smell.
- The team member must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 - 50 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- General office environment