Upstream Planning Leader

Job Description: This position plays a critical role in supporting and optimizing upstream supply chain activities across the ETO cluster. The role focuses on vendor forecasting and supply chain readiness, ensuring the right materials are available at the right time to support business requirements while improving inventory health, supplier performance, and overall supply chain efficiency. The position supports the ETO cluster by guiding planning teams and working closely with suppliers, Procurement, Manufacturing, Logistics, Demand Planning, SIOP, and other cross-functional partners. The role anticipates supply risks, improves upstream material flow, and helps maintain operational continuity across the cluster. Direct Reports: None Reports To: Planning VP Travel: Approximately 50% What will you do? Lead and coordinate upstream supply chain activities across the ETO cluster, ensuring effective material flow from suppliers to the supported operations. Support the ETO cluster by guiding planning teams on upstream planning activities, material requirements, supplier forecasting, and supply risk mitigation. Lead vendor forecasting activities to ensure supply chain readiness and appropriate material coverage for current and future business requirements. Execute the Distribution Requirements Planning (DRP) process in collaboration with SIOP leaders, demand planners, and planning teams across the ETO cluster. Manage material requirements and supplier forecasts to provide appropriate coverage for current and future needs. Set, maintain, and release vendor forecasts, providing suppliers with forward visibility into anticipated demand and material requirements. Monitor supplier capacity, material constraints, and forecast alignment, proactively addressing potential shortages, supply disruptions, and operational risks. Guide planning teams in identifying material gaps, supplier risks, and appropriate mitigation or recovery actions. Define and maintain critical supply and inventory parameters, including replenishment lead time, order quantity, frequency, safety stock, and stocking policies. Coordinate ramp-up and ramp-down activities across the ETO cluster to support product transitions while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory. Improve upstream material flow and inventory performance while reducing unhealthy stock, shortages, and expedited freight costs. Partner closely with Procurement, Manufacturing, Logistics, Demand Planning, SIOP, suppliers, and planning teams to resolve supply constraints and maintain operational continuity. Analyze upstream supply chain and vendor-forecasting performance to identify opportunities to improve material availability, inventory levels, lead times, supplier reliability, and service levels. Establish consistent upstream planning and vendor-forecasting practices across the ETO cluster. Support continuous improvement initiatives related to supplier forecasting, supply readiness, inventory management, material flow, and overall supply chain performance. (External) English Qualifications: What qualifications will make you successful? Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field is required. Experience in upstream supply chain, material planning, supply planning, supplier forecasting, or related planning activities within a manufacturing environment. Strong understanding of supplier planning, vendor forecasting, material requirements, inventory management, replenishment, and manufacturing material flows. Strong ERP and MRP systems experience; SAP experience is highly preferred. Experience managing supplier forecasts and material availability to support manufacturing or operational requirements. Experience supporting multiple sites, business units, planning teams, or a regional or cluster-based supply chain organization is preferred. Ability to guide planning teams and influence results across a matrixed organization without direct authority. Strong analyti…

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