Supply Planner

Company Description

The Greater Houston Retailers Cooperative Association, Inc. is one of the leading independent convenience store cooperatives in the nation. GHRA provides many benefits and values to its members. GHRA operates a full-service warehouse and distribution center supplying goods and services to the convenience store industry.

General Description:

The Supply Planner position will manage the creation and timely execution of purchase orders and inventory management in support of business objectives while maintaining lowest possible inventory levels and agreed upon service levels. In this role, you will ensure GHRA is providing the best-in-class consumer experience by managing vendor purchasing, optimizing inbound flows, and maintaining healthy inventory levels through data-driven analysis and decision making, and building relationships with our vendors, and internal cross-functional teams.

Primary Responsibility:

• Own end-to-end planning and execution of inventory.
• Manage the end-to-end process of PO creation to PO received by the warehouse in a timely manner.
• Implement and maintain inventory strategies by regular review and optimization of supply planning parameters (Ex. Reorder points, safety stock, ABC categorization, MOQ).
• Analyze key metrics including vendor fill rate, lead time variability and inbound capacity to maintain GHRA's in-stock rates and inventory turns.
• Conduct regular inventory level reviews related to high and low in-stock SKUs with internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage the potential obsolescence to minimize inventory liabilities and drive root cause problem solving and action planning/execution to reduce P&L impact.

• Participate in cross-functional manufacturer and vendor reviews, driving vendor operational improvement.

• Fully utilize the buying systems and processes to deliver best practice supply chain fill rate (service level) and inventory turn performance.

• Evaluate efficient order quantities at the item and vendor level.
• Address issues resulting in unproductive inventory, facilitate return to vendor on overstocks and discontinued items.
• Anticipate inventory demand based on current and future business functions.
• Negotiate with Vendors to ensure purchasing is done in the most efficient MOQ.
• Work with suppliers to improve their fulfilment and on-time rates.
• Other duties assigned as needed.

Essential Functions:

Supply Planner responsibilities and preferred requirements include, but are not limited to:

Effective Communication

• Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools, and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.

Business Acumen

• Knowledge of business concepts, tools, and processes that are needed for making sound decisions in the context of the company's business; ability to apply this knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.

ERP System Knowledge

• Experience with SAP, Oracle, or any other ERP system; PowerBI, or any additional tools.

Experience and Skills:

• 2+ years in a supply planning role with experience in S&OP or Integrated Business Planning processes preferred
• Demonstrated ability to critically analyze a situation, resolve and/or proactively communicate/escalate.
• Proven analytical, problem solving, collaboration and multi-tasking skills.
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to prioritize work to meet required timelines.
• Ability to effectively operate both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong written, verbal, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Understanding of the end-to-end Supply Chain functions.
• ERP & Planning software experience is preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Management, or related field preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• May be standing or sitting for extend period of times.
• Extended period of time working in front of computer monitor
• Occasional light travel

The above statements reflect the general duties and responsibilities necessary to describe the principal functions of the job, as identified, and shall not be considered an exhaustive list of job responsibilities which may be inherent in the job. Responsibilities are subject to change.