Manager, Inventory Management & Purchasing

*Please note: this role will require a minimum of 3 days a week in our Wisconsin Dells, WI, office and and 1-2 days a week in our DeForest office.

Position Summary:

This role is responsible for overseeing the procurement and optimization of all inventory across Big Lift’s four distribution facilities which currently is comprised of over 20,000 SKUs. To accomplish this, the individual will need to partner with Big Lift’s VP of Production and VP of Aftermarket to develop an inventory optimization strategy by business unit (we have three) and part category and then set MRP parameters to ensure financial and operational objectives are met. This individual will need to be “hands on” and detail oriented but will also manage a team of two-three procurement specialists that can assist in more administrative functions such as placing orders based on MRP outputs and tracking shipments.

From a procurement perspective, this role will be responsible for managing all significant domestic and international vendor relationships, including the largest and most important one which is our parent Company, EP Equipment. This role is also responsible for setting appropriate product harmonization codes for compliance purposes as well as overseeing all inventory audits and managing all aspects of vendor negotiations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the following satisfactorily; other duties may be assigned.

Strategic Design and Implementation: Procurement

• Engage with leadership team to develop procurement strategies and inventory optimization plans across all divisions and major part categories including MRP formulas and desired inventory turnover levels
• Identify most important KPIs and ensure appropriate reporting dashboards are in place to monitor performance toward goals and make adjustments as necessary to achieve desired results
• Evaluate domestic suppliers to ensure quality while balancing cost, lead time, breadth of offering and other risk factors to build a sustainable and resilient supply chain
• Develop supplier scorecards to track results and ensure supplier accountability

Purchasing

• Oversee and support domestic supplier selections, negotiations, and execution of special requests (i.e. production, engineering, service etc) to support business growth.
• Partner with the VP of Manufacturing and VP of Aftermarket in improving and maintaining inventory minimums and re-order points/quantities for spare parts, based on business growth (i.e. MRP, daily reorder etc…)
• Eventually take over primary responsibility for setting MRP and ordering lift trucks (from our parent company) in partnership with finance, sales and sales operations
• Partner with our Engineering Department and Parent Company to ensure the impact of product changes (change notes) are handled appropriately from a documentation and MRP perspective
• Manage discontinuations, interchangeable parts using our ECN (Engineering process)
• Effectively and proactively lead, re-design, implement, and maintain improved cycle-counting and audit processes across all locations to limit business disruptions and ensure inventory accuracy

Leadership

• Successfully manage and develop a growing team with constantly expanding responsibilities due to the growth and increasing complexity of our business
• Develop performance and career development plans for direct reports and execute against those plans
• Mentor, coach and develop team in day-to-day activities decision-making, and team management
• Build and lead the procurement function, implementing best practices, systems, and processes while developing operational efficiency, knowledge, and skills of the team

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Experience and Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum five (8) years of experience in vendor management, procurement and inventory management with at least three (3) years in leadership role. Will consider those with an equivalent combination of education and years of experience.
• 3-7+ years in project management experience; PMP certified preferred
• Previous experience with global supply teams

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Parental leave
• Relocation assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person