Procurement Analyst

The Materials Planning Analyst is responsible for managing and analyzing supplier commitments, purchase orders, and material availability to ensure uninterrupted production operations. This role serves as a key liaison between suppliers and internal functional teams, proactively identifying and mitigating supply chain risks while maintaining optimal inventory levels, controlling premium freight expenses, and supporting continuous material flow throughout the plant.

The position requires strong analytical skills, supplier management capabilities, and effective communication to support production requirements, inventory targets, and overall supply chain performance.

Material Supply Management

• Monitor supplier commitments, purchase orders, and delivery schedules to ensure continuous material availability.
• Maintain production continuity by preventing material shortages and proactively addressing supply risks.
• Review and manage past due orders, ensuring timely supplier follow-up and escalation when necessary.
• Track critical materials with low inventory levels and coordinate corrective actions to avoid production disruptions.
• Ensure accurate communication of material status, constraints, and potential risks to internal stakeholders.

Inventory Control

• Support inventory optimization initiatives while maintaining target inventory levels.
• Review "Orders vs. Surplus" reports on a weekly basis and implement corrective actions when needed.
• Identify and process Return Material Authorizations (RMAs) for supplier overshipments.
• Analyze inventory trends and recommend actions to improve inventory health and reduce excess stock.

Supply Chain Risk Management

• Monitor supply chain performance to prevent material gaps (GAP entitlement) and ensure uninterrupted coverage.
• Maintain visibility of supplier capacity and future material requirements.
• Escalate critical supply chain issues through established communication channels.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to develop recovery plans for supply shortages and delivery risks.

Premium Freight Management

• Minimize premium freight costs through proactive planning and supplier management.
• Ensure all Premium Transportation Authorizations (PTAs) are submitted and approved before shipment.
• Follow company approval processes and documentation requirements for expedited shipments.
• Support cost recovery initiatives for expedited freight resulting from supplier-related issues.
• Communicate critical freight movements and escalation needs promptly.

Excess & Obsolete Inventory Management

• Analyze End-of-Life (EOL) requirements and Volume Sales Agreements (VSA) to identify risks of excess and obsolete inventory.
• Develop and execute action plans to reduce excess inventory through order adjustments, supplier negotiations, material sales, or other corrective actions.
• Track and close actions related to excess and obsolete inventory reduction.
• Escalate potential inventory risks in a timely manner.

Communication & Cross-Functional Support

• Provide accurate and timely material status updates to supervisors and cross-functional teams.
• Communicate supply chain risks that may impact production schedules.
• Collaborate closely with Purchasing, Production Planning, Logistics, Operations, and Supplier Quality teams.
• Support decision-making by providing reliable data and material availability analysis.
• Maintain effective relationships with suppliers to ensure responsiveness and performance.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Zero past due supplier orders.
• Timely review and resolution of past due order reports.
• Achievement of inventory level targets.
• No material gaps impacting production within the planning horizon.
• Reduction and control of premium freight expenses.
• Timely submission and approval of PTAs.
• Effective management of Excess & Obsolete inventory.
• Proactive escalation of critical supply chain risks.
• Accurate and timely communication with stakeholders.
• Continuous support of production requirements without material shortages.