Supply Chain and Purchasing Coordinator H/F Saint-Gobain

Key activities & responsibilities

Forecasting and Demand Planning:

• Analyze historical data, market trends, and sales forecasts together with the commercial functions to predict future demand.
• Develop and implement effective forecasting models to ensure accurate demand planning.
• Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to align forecasts with business goals.

Stock Purchasing:

• Manage relationships with suppliers to ensure timely and cost-effective procurement of goods.
• Place purchase orders based on accurate forecasts to maintain optimal stock levels.
• Negotiate contracts and terms with suppliers to secure the best possible pricing and delivery schedules.

Inventory Control:

• Monitor inventory levels to ensure sufficient stock to meet customer demand without overstocking.
• Implement inventory management strategies to optimize stock turnover and reduce holding costs.
• Conduct regular inventory audits and reconcile discrepancies.

Logistics and Distribution:

• Coordinate inbound and outbound transportation and logistics to ensure timely delivery.
• Implement and maintain efficient logistics processes to minimize costs and improve delivery times.
• Manage relationships with the carriers and transport services

Purchasing:

• Handling purchase orders from requisition to delivery, ensuring accurate entry, approval, and timely placement with suppliers
• Securing the best deals by negotiating terms and prices with suppliers, while maintaining quality/service standards
• Monitoring stock levels, tracking orders to ensure timely delivery, and resolving any issues with suppliers regarding shipment delays or quality lapses
• Keeping an updated supplier database, including contact information, product specifications, and performance evaluations, to ensure a reliable supply chain
• Implementing and maintaining purchasing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and industry standards, and promoting ethical procurement practices

Performance Monitoring and Reporting:

• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as order accuracy, delivery times, stock outs, SLOB, inventory turnover.
• Prepare regular reports on supply chain performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance supply chain efficiency and effectiveness.

Complaint Management:

• Work with Customer Service to process returns timely and correctly

Communication and Collaboration:

• Communicate effectively with suppliers, team members, and other departments.
• Collaborate with other departments to resolve customer issues and improve service processes.
• Participate in team meetings and training sessions.

Process Improvement:

• Identify opportunities to improve processes and efficiency.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of new initiatives.

Other Duties:

Perform other duties as assigned by the manager

The Supply Chain and Purchasing Coordinator manages and optimizes the flow of goods, information, and resources from suppliers (also the internal suppliers) to customers by maintaining optimal inventory levels, ensuring that there is enough stock to meet demand without overstocking and with control of the costs associated with logistics, warehousing, and inventory management to ensure timely delivery of products to customers, enhancing their satisfaction and loyalty.

The Supply Chain and Purchasing Coordinator has also the overall responsibility for the Purchase-to-Pay process, including reporting, compliance with Saint-Gobain processes and Audit aspects.

• Demand Prediction: Use historical data, market trends, and other analytical tools and work with the commercial functions to predict future demand accurately.
• Planning: Develop and implement effective supply chain strategies based on these forecasts to meet customer demand. Work together with the plant manager when it comes to internal productions and conversions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure timely and cost-effective procurement of goods.
• Place orders based on accurate forecasts to avoid stockouts and overstock situations. Control inbound transport costs.
• Maintain optimal stock levels to balance between meeting customer demand and minimizing holding costs, thus improving inventory turnover rates and reducing excess inventory and associated costs.
• Coordinate transportation and logistics to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of goods.
• Together with the Production Manager, oversee warehouse operations to ensure efficient storage, handling, and distribution of products.
• Performance Monitoring though KPIs such as order accuracy, delivery times, and inventory turnover rates, SLOB
• Identify areas for improvement and implement changes to enhance supply chain efficiency and effectiveness.
• Responsible for compliance with Saint-Gobain Purchase-to-Pay processes including follow up accounts payable, working with the Saint-Gobain SSC in this respect.

By focusing on these purposes and goals, a Supply Chain and Purchasing Administrator can significantly contribute to the overall success and competitiveness of the company.

Job environment (thinking & action framework)

• Awareness of the impact of Saint-Gobain as a stakeholder
• Awareness of the what is valued by and for customers - current one as well as prospect/future ones
• Awareness of the sales process
• Awareness of Purchase-to-pay process and of order fulfillment process
• Awareness on cost based thinking, Working capital, ROI
• Leading (even if there is not necessarily direct reporting) a team regarding all aspects regarding processes, customer intimacy and satisfaction and working cross-functionally both within the own entity as well as with other the central departments at the Head Office.

Working Conditions

• This is a full-time position, typically working during standard business hours.
• The work environment is typically a standard office setting.
• Occasional travel to supplier sites and warehouses.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Localisation

*This position is based in Zulte, Belgium.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE :

• A bachelor's degree in supply chain management, logistics, business administration, or a related field provides a solid foundation of knowledge and skills.
• Advanced Certifications such as APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) or Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) can enhance expertise and credibility.
• Proven experience in supply chain management, logistics, or a related field is crucial. This includes hands-on experience with forecasting, stock purchasing, and inventory control.
• Experience in managing supply chain projects, including planning, execution, and monitoring, is highly valuable.
• ERP and Supply Chain Software: Proficiency in using enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems (SAP)
• Experience with data analysis tools and techniques to interpret supply chain data and generate actionable insights

KNOWLEDGE :

• Understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes, including procurement, production, distribution, and logistics.
• Techniques for demand forecasting, including statistical methods and predictive analytics.
• Familiarity with software tools and models used for forecasting and demand planning.
• Principles of inventory control, including safety stock, and reorder points.
• Understanding of procurement processes, including purchase order management and contract negotiation.
• Warehouse management principles, including inventory tracking, and order fulfillment.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and techniques to interpret supply chain data and generate actionable insights.
• Ability to create and present reports on key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems (SAP)
• Techniques for identifying and eliminating waste in supply chain processes.
• Awareness of relevant regulations and standards affecting supply chain operations, such as import/export laws and safety regulations.
• Understanding of compliance requirements and how to ensure adherence

SKILLS :

• Ability to analyze complex data sets to identify trends, patterns, and insights.
• Proficiency in using analytical tools and software for forecasting and inventory management.
• Meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy in forecasting, purchasing, and inventory records.
• Ability to spot discrepancies and address them promptly.
• Strong problem-solving abilities to address supply chain disruptions and inefficiencies.
• Creative thinking to develop innovative solutions for supply chain challenges.
• Verbal and written communication skills to interact with suppliers, team members, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely.
• Effective negotiation skills to secure favorable terms with suppliers and service providers.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers.
• Strong organizational abilities to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously.
• Efficient time management to meet deadlines and ensure smooth operations.
• Ability to plan, execute, and oversee supply chain projects from start to finish and coordinating cross-functional teams and managing project timelines.
• Leadership skills to guide and motivate team members

LANGUAGE SKILLS :

• Dutch (equivalent to native)
• English (A level)
• French ( B level) - a plus

Solar Gard manufactures and sells solar and safety window films as well as surface protection solutions for buildings, automotive and transport applications as well as semi-finished products for the various industrial sectors.

SGIMB/Solar Gard specialize in state-of-the-art wide-web roll-to-roll magnetron sputtering precision wet coatings, multi-film lamination, and clean room converting and is the logistics and commercial center for Solar Gard window film business the EMEA region. SGIMB/Solar Gard is a team of about 30 people