MMI Products, Inc., a wholly-owned group of the CRH/Oldcastle network of building products companies, is currently seeking a Director, Purchasing and Planning for its Merchants Metals Division Headquarters in Houston, Texas. Merchants Metals is one of the nation�s largest manufacturers and distributors of fencing products.

Merchants Metals is seeking a multi-talented supply chain professional to lead the development and implementation of sourcing strategies for specific spend categories to achieve quantifiable benefits for Merchants Metals (MMI�s fencing business). Purchasing scope will include steel pipe and tubing, aluminum, zinc, finished wood and aluminum fence products, and fence fittings. This position will also take leadership for supply chain planning within the fencing business. The Director will work with Merchants Metals executive team to develop a Sales & Operations Plan and translate this into a master production schedule, inventory plan, and supply plan. This is a highly visible position that will be involved in many aspects of the divisional business strategy and management.



Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Includes the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Purchasing

�Interact with various internal customers (e.g., product management, regional buyers, manufacturing) to identify and jointly plan/execute sourcing improvement efforts

�Lead cross-functional sourcing teams through the strategic sourcing process

�Perform spend analysis and consolidate internal demand for respective category

�Conduct supply market analyses and monitor market trends

�Develop category-specific sourcing strategies in conjunction with internal customers

�Develop, issue, and analyze Requests for Information/Quotation/Proposal (RFI/RFQ/RFPs)

�Assist with or lead supplier negotiations and contract development

�Assist sourcing teams to develop new supplier implementation plans

�Collect metrics and develop reports on category spending and other performance indicators

�Ensures and monitors company compliance with contractual obligations, sourcing policies, and preferred supplier arrangements

Planning

�Interface with sales and product management to develop a demand forecast using statistical models and tools

�Develop and lead the Sales & Operations Planning process and facilitate timely and efficient gathering and dissemination of information

�Facilitate monthly Sales & Operations Planning meetings to develop a common, agreed-upon S&OP plan

�Translates S&OP plan into a Master Production Schedule at the SKU level, which includes finished goods inventory levels, plant production volumes, and supply base production needs

�Creates Distribution Requirements Plan for 40 service centers and over 10,000 SKU�s

�Develops inventory policy taking into account demand patterns, service levels, and working capital requirements

�Utilizes ERP and planning systems to monitor and analyze demand, promotion, cyclical, customer, inventory, production, distribution, and related data

�Defines and leads projects targeted to improve specific opportunities in supply chain management

�Manages metrics and develops reports related to planning effectiveness

Knowledge and Skills Requirements:

�Accomplished track record in developing strategic sourcing strategies and leading cross-functional teams though the strategic sourcing process

�Demonstrated knowledge of a supply chain area such as production planning, scheduling, operations planning, inventory control, etc.

�Experience with develop supply agreements and managing supplier relationships

�Excellent organizational, communication, collaborative and interpersonal skills

�Demonstrate ability to effectively lead projects and manage change within an organization

�Negotiating skills

�Familiarity with ERP, forecasting software, and statistical tools a bonus

�Strong analytical skills

�Excellent internal and external customer focus

�Experienced in working effectively at plant and corporate levels in and across a functional environment

�Highly motivated and enthusiastic self-starter