Customer Supply Chain Manager

Job Description

Position Summary

The position of Customer Supply Chain Manager /Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for the downstream supply chain, from finished goods warehousing to the back door of the customer, and all related supply chain activities in the downstream supply chain for the Affiliate. The successful candidate will be the main point of contact for all Customer Supply Chain related activities and manages operationally the downstream customer interface supply chain activities. He/ She will be the main point of contact for internal partners such as Commercial, Brands, External Retailers and Distributors, Customer Service, Logistics Operations, and all other external partners (customers) to lead supply chain related day-to-day and project activities to deliver common ELC and Customer KPIs and optimize and adopt existing processes for joint value creation.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

•         Responsible for Customer Supply Chain activities in South Africa and SSA

•         Develop collaborative partnerships with customers and internal cross functional teams, including Marketing, Sales, Customer Service Logistics Operations, Planning and Finance to innovate and optimize the value chain for both: ELC and customer.

•         Own KPIs: Customer service level and Fill levels (Service in Full as shared joined KPI with customers), Slow Moving and Obsolete stock (SLOB), Customer Returns, Downstream Supply Chain losses/write offs and Cost Savings 

•         Align and coordinate Supply Chain, Commercial, Brand and Customer activities impacting customer service within cost & KPI expectations. 

•         Receive and track customer issues and complaints; resolve issues and communicate results and findings where appropriate. Improve customer operations based on regular customer feedback, aiming to reduce customer effort and improve KPIs tracked by customer.

•         Utilize a collaborative and consensus approach by working with Commercial, Brands, Customers, Finance and Supply Chain team to monitor and maintain optimal inventory levels. Take ownership on leading SLOBs level control and reduction activities to avoid write-offs.

•         In collaboration with planning team participate in demand management activities. Interact with Commercial, Brands, and Finance to understand demand forecast drivers, identify risks, build action plans, and control execution in line with value driving priorities.

•         Identify, develop, and implement supply chain offerings for customers, which improve service; drive profitability; reduce overall costs; provide a competitive advantage; and create value for ELC and the customer

•         Active member of the Affiliate Supply Chain Management team

•         Point of contact to the local management team for customer related supply chain issues

•         Build together with Commercial and Brands strong relationships with main customers

•         Set up and run weekly customer supply chain meetings for South Africa and SSA within scope to review weekly results with the extended Supply Chain team, including running Control Tower (DOR) meetings

•         Ensure alignment with customer & business objectives/activities (e.g., ownership for execution of major events)

•         Manage and coordinate operational customer supply chain issues with the local and regional teams.

•         Have an external view of the latest developments in supply chain management including our competitors and customers in the countries

•         Provides input and feedback to key leadership positions about process improvement opportunities with the end to end Supply Chain

•         Seeks solutions for process improvement to optimize the performance of end to end Supply Chain system.

•         Focus on eliminating waste/inefficiencies, standardizing processes, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement, and using data-driven decision-making to optimize Supply Chain performance

•         Own the customer master data and master data process (Create, maintain and update customer/material master data)

•         Responsible for end-to-end Supply Chain IT systems and process (including changes, rollouts and implementation)

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• B-Com Degree or related Qualification with specialization in Supply Chain an advantage, Post Graduate degree an advantage.

•7+ years of Management Experience in either Customer Service or Customer Supply Chain, preferably in FMCG, or manufacturing related industry

• Minimum 3 years of financial accountability and budget preparation

• Excellent communication skills. Able to communicate effectively at all levels, both internally and externally

• Excellent analytical and computer skills, including MS Office suite

• SAP/ERP knowledge, APO would be advantageous.

• Knowledge and understanding of continuous improvement tools including Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen, Agile, Lean principles

Skill Requirements and Competencies

• Knowledge of supply chain management concepts, i.e. Plan, Source, Make, Deliver

• Advanced knowledge of End-to-end supply chain processes

• Advanced knowledge of retailers and distributors processes and systems

• Continuously look for service level and forecast accuracy improvement opportunities.

• Critical thinking skills to identify where analysis is required & then do it

• Experience in and/or exposure to S&OP / IBP processes and procedures

• Ability to communicate within all levels of the organization both within Supply Chain and Brands.

• Strong negotiating skills

• Commercially driven – provider of supply chain excellence with financial prudence

• Understand Supply Chain cost drivers and data mining to drive cost reduction within the end-to-end Supply Chain

Job: Supply Chain - Corporate
Primary Location: Europe, Middle East, Africa-ZA-GP-Johannesburg
Job Type: Standard
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: 1st (Day) Shift
Job Number: 244905