Supply Chain Specialist

The Warehouse Group (TWG) has become a Kiwi household name, and we proudly recognise the role that we play in communities throughout New Zealand. We are the largest general merchandise retailer in NZ across The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery & Noel Leeming. We are at an exciting point in our journey where our focus is on becoming brand-centric, aiming to deliver an unparalleled experience for our customers. Agility and collaboration are cornerstones of our work culture, empowering us to adapt swiftly and work seamlessly together. By being brand-led and retail-focused, we are intentional about placing the right people in the right roles, allowing us to perform work that truly makes a difference.  

As a Supply Chain Specialist, you'll play an important role in getting our imported stock from international suppliers to our distribution centres and stores on time, in full and at the right cost.

Working closely with Merchandise Planning and our wider Supply Chain teams, you'll turn approved purchase orders into well-planned shipments, confirming orders with suppliers, planning containers and consolidation, and working with freight forwarders, shipping lines and consolidation hubs across our key sourcing markets.

You'll also make sure our shipments are compliant before they leave origin, maintain the supply data that supports effective replenishment, and proactively identify and resolve issues before they impact stock availability for our customers.

Reporting to the Head of Supply Planning, this role is based at our Store Support Office in Auckland, with occasional travel to our Distribution Centres.

You'll be responsible for:

Supplier & Order Management

• Confirm purchase orders and ship dates with international suppliers, tracking key production milestones through to shipment booking.
• Monitor booking and ex-factory performance, following up and expediting orders where delays may impact stock availability.
• Review and resolve day-to-day order and shipment exceptions, including changes to ship dates, quantities, products, ports and shipping terms.
• Work closely with our sourcing office, Merchandise and Supply Chain teams to resolve supplier issues and manage supply risks.

Shipment & Container Planning

• Plan and consolidate international orders to optimise container utilisation, shipping capacity and Distribution Centre receiving windows.
• Recommend cost-effective shipping routes, modes and consolidation options.
• Prioritise shipments around trading requirements, including continuity lines, promotions and seasonal events.
• Align inbound volumes with Distribution Centre and store capacity. 

Inbound Planning & Forecasting

• Develop and maintain supply plans for imported products, translating merchandise and demand plans into phased orders, shipments and DC receipts.
• Provide inbound volume and capacity forecasts to support sales and operations planning.
• Develop supply scenarios and clearly communicate impacts on stock availability, cost and working capital.
• Plan inbound volumes around peak trading periods and other key events.

Logistics Partner Management

• Manage day-to-day performance across freight forwarders, shipping lines and consolidation hubs.
• Respond to disruptions including vessel delays, rolled cargo, port congestion and capacity constraints, helping protect priority stock.
• Minimise detention and demurrage costs, check freight invoices and resolve charge disputes.
• Track supplier and logistics performance and turn insights into opportunities for improvement. 

Import Compliance

• Ensure shipping documentation and requirements relating to NZ Customs, MPI biosecurity and dangerous goods are met before shipments leave origin.
• Resolve shipment holds and clearance issues with customs brokers, carriers and freight forwarders.
• Ensure goods move safely and compliantly from origin through to our Distribution Centres, including appropriate packing, container loading and weight declarations.
• Help maintain contingency plans for port, carrier, geopolitical and weather-related disruption. 

Data, Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate lead times, shipping routes, order minimums and pack configurations within supply chain systems.
• Maintain accurate product, supplier, order and shipping data, including GTIN and pack information.
• Use SQL, Snowflake and Power BI to analyse performance, identify root causes and track KPIs.
• Maintain accurate purchase order, booking and advance shipping notice data across systems including Relex, Oracle, TUI and partner platforms.
• Support the onboarding of new suppliers, logistics partners and shipping routes.
• Look for opportunities to prevent issues through improved processes, standardisation and automation.
• Use AI and automation tools to streamline routine activity, identify exceptions and accelerate analysis while appropriately validating outputs. 

We're looking for someone with solid international supply chain experience who is comfortable balancing operational detail, data and stakeholder relationships.

You'll ideally bring:

• A Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, International Trade, Business or a related field.
• 3+ years' experience in international supply planning, import or shipping operations, freight forwarding or supplier management within sourcing markets, ideally within retail.
• Working knowledge of Incoterms, landed cost, container planning, freight carriers, forwarders and consolidation-hub operations.
• Understanding of New Zealand Customs, MPI biosecurity and dangerous-goods requirements for imported products.
• Experience with scenario planning and S&OP execution, with the ability to understand the relationship between merchandise, demand and supply plans.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• SQL proficiency, along with the ability to work with Snowflake and Power BI.
• Experience with supply chain systems such as Relex, Oracle, TUI and booking platforms.
• Experience using AI or automation tools, such as Microsoft Copilot or machine-learning functionality, to improve efficiency and support analysis.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across regions, teams and time zones. 

It would also be great if you have:

• Experience working with suppliers, hubs and carriers across Asian sourcing markets, particularly China, Bangladesh and India.
• Exposure to ERP and EDI integration, including systems such as Oracle, SAP, PRISM or TUI.
• Knowledge of master-data dependencies and transactional flows.
• Exposure to middleware platforms such as MuleSoft, Dell Boomi or BizTalk.
• Familiarity with EDI standards and formats such as EDIFACT, ANSI X12, XML and CSV, including purchase orders, advance shipping notices, invoices and remittance advice.

Above all, you'll bring strong communication, collaboration, commercial awareness, critical thinking and a continuous improvement mindset.

We offer a dynamic and supportive team environment working with like-minded people within a business that cares about and recognises individuals.  

We also offer:  

• Learning and development through TWG’s talent programmes and on-the-job coaching 

• Exposure to large-scale supply chain operations and real business challenges 

• Generous staff discounts across all our TWG brands 

MAKE SUSTAINABLE LIVING EASY AND AFFORDABLE FOR EVERYONE! don’t hesitate. APPLY