Supply Chain Assistant Manager

Procurement & Supplier Management: Assist the Supply Chain Manager in sourcing and managing suppliers for materials and components used in CNC machining, Wire EDM, EDM, and Auto Lathe operations. Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure timely and quality deliveries. Monitor supplier performance and work to resolve any issues related to delivery, quality, or cost. Conduct regular supplier evaluations and assist in negotiating pricing, lead times, and contracts. Inventory Management: Support inventory control for raw materials, tools, and components to ensure adequate stock levels for CNC machining, Wire EDM, EDM, and Auto Lathe production. Assist in managing stock levels, conducting cycle counts, and ensuring accurate inventory records. Collaborate with the production team to forecast material needs based on production schedules and customer demands. Work to reduce excess inventory while preventing stockouts and minimizing storage costs. Logistics & Distribution: Coordinate the logistics of raw material delivery, including transportation and receiving of goods. Ensure that materials are delivered to the production floor on time to avoid production delays. Help optimize warehousing and distribution processes to improve operational efficiency and reduce lead times. Work with shipping and receiving teams to ensure accurate tracking of incoming and outgoing materials and products. Supply Chain Planning: Assist in the development of supply chain strategies to optimize costs, efficiency, and the flow of materials. Work with production planning and engineering teams to ensure material availability aligns with manufacturing schedules and production goals. Assist in managing short-term and long-term supply chain forecasts to support production needs. Process Optimization & Cost Control: Help identify opportunities to streamline supply chain operations, improve lead times, and reduce costs across procurement, inventory, and logistics. Work on process improvements using Lean Manufacturing principles and Six Sigma to reduce waste and improve supply chain efficiency. Assist in monitoring and controlling costs related to procurement, transportation, and warehousing. Quality Assurance & Compliance: Collaborate with the Quality Assurance (QA) team to ensure that materials and components meet the necessary specifications and quality standards. Assist in resolving any issues related to defective materials or non-conforming products. Ensure that all supply chain activities comply with company policies, safety regulations, and industry standards. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Coordinate with production, engineering, and quality teams to address material shortages, production delays, or supply chain disruptions. Ensure that communication between supply chain functions and other departments is clear and effective to avoid production bottlenecks. Collaborate with the Sales and Operations teams to ensure customer orders are met in a timely manner, while managing lead times and material availability. Data Analysis & Reporting: Assist in tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) related to supply chain efficiency, such as on-time delivery, inventory turnover, and procurement costs. Support the creation of reports and dashboards for management, including material usage, supplier performance, inventory levels, and logistics metrics. Analyze supply chain data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement. Risk Management: Assist in identifying and managing risks in the supply chain, including supplier disruptions, material shortages, and transportation delays. Work with the Supply Chain Manager to develop contingency plans for potential disruptions or delays. Required Skills and Qualifications: Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or a related field. Equivalent work experience may be considered. Experience: 3-5 years of experience in supply chain management, procurement, or logistics within a manufacturing environment. Experience in managing materials for CNC machining, Wire EDM, EDM, or Auto Lathe operations is preferred. Technical Skills: Proficiency with supply chain management software (e.g., ERP systems like SAP, Oracle, or MRP systems). Strong understanding of inventory management, procurement processes, and logistics. Familiarity with materials management and planning tools. Analytical Skills: Strong data analysis and problem-solving abilities to identify supply chain inefficiencies and make data-driven decisions. Ability to track and analyze key performance metrics (KPIs) and drive improvements based on data insights. Communication & Negotiation Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to coordinate with suppliers, vendors, internal teams, and management. Strong negotiation skills for working with suppliers and vendors to obtain the best possible terms for the company. Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines. Ability to manage and prioritize competing demands from various departments (production, engineering, quality). Problem-Solving Skills: Strong ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues in the supply chain, including material shortages, delivery delays, and quality concerns. Attention to Detail: High attention to detail in managing materials, inventory, and procurement records to ensure accuracy and prevent errors. Preferred Qualifications: Certifications: APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) or Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) certifications are a plus. Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing certification is desirable. Industry Experience: Experience working in industries with high-precision manufacturing, such as aerospace, automotive, medical devices, or defense. Software Expertise: Experience with advanced supply chain management tools and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics).