Optimizing Global Supply Chains

The Supply Chain Optimization Manager is responsible for the supply chain process at a company level. They oversee managing and coordinating the supply chain function, focusing on sustainably deploying best practices across the organization. The ultimate deliverable is the sustainable improvement of the business performance towards optimal levels.

They are the link with various teams, including operations, procurement, formulation, and supply chain, as well as suppliers and global supply points. This role is essential for an organization's success, governed by policies and frameworks established by the Centre of Excellence on a global level.

Responsibilities include developing and executing the supply chain strategy, providing input to the integrated business planning (IBP) process, and leading the monthly IBP cycle. They also oversee managing and coordinating the demand planning process, ensuring that demand is fulfilled in accordance with customer requests and specifications.

The Supply Chain Optimization Manager supervises a team responsible for preparing and optimizing the operational and tactical planning for the assigned supply network. They ensure that plans are realistic and attainable, balancing demand and supply in the most optimal way. This includes managing inventory, working capital, and quality/HSE compliance.

Key performance indicators include delivery on time in full (OTIF), capacity utilization, forecast accuracy, and product portfolio management. Qualifications include a university degree in a relevant field and at least 5 years of work experience in a comparable position.

Excellent knowledge of ERP tools, communication and negotiation skills, and the ability to demonstrate strong numerical capability are essential. An inquisitive approach and the ability to identify risks and opportunities for appropriate follow-up are also required.

Job Context

The Supply Chain Optimization Manager is accountable for the management of the supply chain process, ensuring that demand is fulfilled in accordance with customer requests and specifications. This role is essential for an organization's success, governed by policies and frameworks established by the Centre of Excellence on a global level.

Integrated Business Supply & Demand Planning

• Aligned with plant/operations and third-party suppliers, co-drive the execution of the IBP process (operational and tactical horizon).
• Participate, prepare, facilitate, and lead assigned supply meetings according to IBP standards.
• Prepare scenario decision documents for the IBP process.
• Balance demand and supply in the most optimal way in terms of volume, revenues, costs, and margin.

Integrated Business Supply Planning

• Sustainably effectuate the Nutreco planning and IBP processes for the organization, maintain, and continuously improve towards achieving a mature IBP process and cycle in cooperation with procurement and formulation teams.
• Lead the monthly IBP cycle for the organization, resulting in one plan, balancing demand and supply for a minimal 15-month horizon.
• Determine targets and ensure realization of performance regarding cost, quality, and performance for planning and IBP activities.

Integrated Business Demand Planning

• Sustainably effectuate the Nutreco planning and IBP processes for the organization, maintain, and continuously improve towards achieving a mature IBP process and cycle in cooperation with procurement and formulation teams.
• Lead the monthly IBP cycle for the organization, resulting in one plan, balancing demand and supply for a minimal 15-month horizon.
• Determine targets and ensure realization of performance regarding cost, quality, and performance for planning and IBP activities.

Demand Planning

• Develop and ensure execution of the demand planning strategy to improve demand excellence.
• Lead the demand planning cycles, collaborate actively internally (sales & marketing) and with customers, driving high forecast accuracy and low bias.

Supply Planning

• Manage the team responsible for preparing and optimizing the operational and tactical planning for the assigned supply network (internal and external capacity).
• Responsible for production planning, raw materials planning, and intra-supply planning.

Customer Service

• Manage a large customer service area, planning, and organizing activities within the area in order to meet customer service standards.

Inventory & Working Capital Management

• Define and implement inventory and replenishment targets and apply inventory segmentation effectively.
• Manage the team responsible for the inventory processes and ensure that inventory covers the projected demand.

Quality / HSE Compliance

• Ensure that all activities and operations are executed in line with HSE/quality rules, regulations, procedures, instructions, guidelines, and promote awareness thereof, including addressing anomalies to others.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Delivery On Time In Full (OTIF).
• Capacity utilization of the network.
• Forecast Accuracy RMR/RMN.
• Product portfolio, # articles and formulations.
• IBP Maturity level.
• Inventory levels (days/value)/Working capital (Inventory volume targets).
• Waste.
• Raw Material stock-outs.
• Finished Goods stock-outs.
• Compliance with quality/HSE/environment standards.
• Performance against annual plan and budget.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• University degree in the field of supply chain, operations, economics, technical engineering or similar.
• At least 5 years of work experience in a comparable or relevant position including demand, supply, and planning (IBP) in the animal feed industry or any other industry such as FMCG or pharma.
• Excellent knowledge and expertise in ERP tools, Microsoft Office, and Infor M3 are desirable.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, know how to convince and persuade, and always maintain a constructive, trusted relation with stakeholders.
• Fair understanding of manufacturing challenges and manufacturing performance leverage.
• Able to demonstrate strong numerical capability with a passion for detailed analysis.
• An inquisitive approach, able to identify risks and opportunities for appropriate follow-up.
• English + additional language eventually.
• Excellent track record in managing/leading Supply Planning experts.

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