Position Summary
The Supply Chain Planner is responsible for managing inventory planning, order flow, production planning, transfer activity, and shortage resolution across assigned product lines and distribution locations. This role supports customer demand by monitoring supply availability, reviewing planning signals, coordinating with internal teams, and ensuring inventory is positioned appropriately across supported markets.
The Supply Chain Planner works closely with Operations, Distribution Centers, Sales, Product Management, Customer Service, and partners to support order fulfillment, production prioritization, inventory accuracy, and timely communication of shortages and planning updates.
Key Responsibilities
Inventory and Item Planning
- Review item planning data to ensure accurate supply, demand, and inventory planning signals.
- Review stock point inventory and identify risks related to shortages, excess inventory, or inventory imbalance.
- Review inventory outlook reports for assigned product lines.
- Support excess reduction initiatives through rework planning.
Order Management and Shortage Resolution
- Manage spike orders, blocked orders, and related order exceptions.
- Review and respond to sales order requests from assigned region.
- Review top shortages, including the Top 25 shortages for assigned region or customer.
- Support customer and sales inquiries by providing timely information on order status, inventory availability, and supply constraints.
Production and Work Order Planning
- Create, release, and plan work orders for assigned region or product groups.
- Update production order reports for assigned items.
- Coordinate and prioritize production activity at the distribution center.
- Review planned orders and back orders to support production and fulfillment needs.
- Monitor production order status and communicate priorities to Operations.
Transfers, Distribution Orders, and Purchase Order Support
- Review planned distribution order lists and coordinate with the assigned region.
- Review purchase orders and summarize PO review activity.
- Consolidate feedback from the Product Management team related to PO reviews.
Reporting and Communication
- Prepare, send, and summarize the weekly Open Order Report.
- Prepare, summarize, and send Inventory Outlook Reports.
- Update Stock Status reports, including backorder reviews.
- Update logistics reports and provide priority lists for Operations.
- Update production order reports and communicate critical priorities.
- Prepare shortage, back order, and inventory summaries for internal stakeholders.
- Communicate planning risks, supply issues, and required actions to Product Management, Operations, Customer Service, and other teams.
Continuous Improvement and Cross-Functional Support
- Identify opportunities to improve planning accuracy, order flow, fill rates, and inventory availability.
- Support process improvements related to inventory planning, production planning, transfers, reporting, and shortage management.
- Partner with internal teams to resolve operational issues and improve service levels.
- Maintain accurate planning data and ensure timely follow-up on open actions.
