Spare Parts Inventory Planning Manager

The MRO Planning Manager will be responsible for driving world-class performance for both in-stock levels and inventory turns of spare parts (approx. $20MM of inventory). This will require bringing innovation, process ‘know how’, and technical expertise in planning methodologies with a goal to optimize MRO inventory levels. The MRO Planning Manager reports directly to the Sr Manager, Supply Chain Planning. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for supporting production planning for the Manufacturing group by ensuring regular replenishment and appropriate inventory levels for all raw materials and sub-assemblies.






• Work with Service Engineering to identify product failure rates and required consumption levels of spare parts needed to support product uptime standards.






• Participate in product life cycle planning with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Service Operations to determine demand requirements for spare parts over the introduction, maturity and end-of-life periods.






• Proactively engage with Quality, R&D and Service Operations to identify special repair and refurbishment projects, to allow enough time to procure long lead-time parts.






• Continuously evaluate MRO inventory performance along key operational metrics, systematically identify and prioritize opportunities to significantly improve efficiency, effectiveness and risk exposure.






• Provide SME and technical support to customer organizations (s.a. Manufacturing, Factory Service, etc.) helping them to address business performance issues, navigating requirements and dependencies, and general troubleshooting, etc.






• Gather, assess and validate financial and other data for potential project initiatives and prepare insightful management reports, variance analysis, trend analysis and operational and business review documents






• Take a lead role in the Spares S&OP process to understand and shape current and future customer needs, assess existing operational capabilities to meet customer requirements, and identify opportunities for value-add






• Work closely with the Sr Manager, Supply Chain Planning to translate strategic concepts into actionable projects






• Identify and implement system solutions and best practices that optimize MRO inventory planning, as opportunities arise. 






• Develop and document a planning methodology that optimizes in-stock levels and inventory turns of MRO inventory, balanced against the operational objectives of other supply chain functions (e.g., Logistics, Sourcing, etc.)






• Develops and sustains customer relationships through direct interaction, responsiveness and accountability. Maintains open communication with customers using appropriate tools, as   necessary.






• Champions and fosters involvement by all levels of the organization of the implementation and maintenance of “Best Practice” processes, enhance teamwork, accountability  and drive a sense of urgency throughout entire area.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Statistics, Industrial Engineering, or related field.






• Minimum of 7 years of manufacturing planning/scheduling or supply chain management experience.






• Extensive experience in identifying and prioritizing high impact improvement opportunities in an Operations environment






• Strong strategic and critical thinking skills; ability to see the “big picture” while also diving into the details where necessary






• Strong analytical skills - proven experience to structure and analyze ambiguous and complex business problems






• A passion for using data to drive decision making; proven ability to apply appropriate rigor to the development of planning models for complex projects and programs






• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills, with extensive experience of working with senior management






• Solid project management experience including multi-team, multi-project responsibilities






• Demonstrated ability to deliver results through complex cross-functional teams






• Ability to work under pressure within deadlines and with minimal supervision






• Ability to maintain complete confidentiality and discretion in business relationships and exercise sound business judgment.






• Expertise with Microsoft Office (emphasis on Excel + Access), expertise with Business Objects or similar business intelligence apps, familiarity with scripting SQL and VBA.






• APICS or relevant professional planning association certification strongly preferred.






• Possess extensive knowledge of MRP/ERP systems – Oracle a plus.