Supply Chain Manager / Business Planner

Role will be responsible for the end-to-end flow of materials, from sourcing raw paper to the final delivery of finished boxes. It will bridge the gap between sales demand and manufacturing capacity, ensuring that production remains efficient, inventory levels are optimized, and customer deadlines are met.

Role Summary The primary objective is to synchronize demand and supply while maintaining high machine efficiency. This role oversees procurement, production scheduling, and logistics to ensure a seamless flow of goods at the lowest possible cost.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Business Planning

• Demand Forecasting: Analyze historical sales data and market trends to build accurate forecasts, particularly for peak e-commerce and retail shipping seasons.
• Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP): Lead monthly S&OP meetings with sales, finance, and production to align capacity with customer requirements.
• Risk Management: Identify potential supply chain disruptions, such as paper shortages or freight delays, and develop contingency plans.

2. Production Planning & Scheduling

• Capacity Management: Convert sales orders into actionable production schedules, ensuring optimal use of machinery (corrugators, die-cutters, and printers).
• Lead Time Management: Determine realistic lead times for customer service based on current plant backlogs and material availability.
• Bottleneck Resolution: Promptly address and resolve scheduling issues to minimize production delays and machine downtime.

3. Procurement & Inventory Control

• Raw Material Sourcing: Manage relationships with paper mills / agents to ensure a steady supply of paper.
• Inventory Optimization: Maintain material stock levels, including ink and starch to prevent over-capitalization while avoiding stockouts.
• Supplier Performance: Use scorecards to monitor supplier reliability, quality, and on-time delivery performance.

4. Logistics & Distribution

• Carrier Selection: Select and manage freight providers for efficient inbound and outbound transportation.
• Delivery Performance: Monitor and improve On-Time In-Full (OTIF) metrics to ensure customer satisfaction.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or Industrial Engineering.
• Experience: 5+ years of supply chain or production planning experience, ideally within the packaging or high-volume manufacturing industry.
• Technical Skills:
  • Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP).
  • Advanced Excel skills (Pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, data modeling).
• Certifications: Association and/ or member ship to Professional SCM bodies and Lean Six Sigma certifications are highly desirable.
• Soft Skills: Strong analytical thinking, negotiation abilities, and the capacity to remain calm under pressure.