Position Summary:
The Process Excellence Manager drives global process standardization, optimization, and digitalization across Materials Management, Production Planning & Scheduling, and Purchasing in a multi-site Engineer-to-Order (ETO) and Configure-to-Order (CTO) environment. The role ensures efficient and scalable supply chain execution, balancing flexibility with control to support on-time delivery, cost efficiency, and customer responsiveness.
Responsibilities:
- Process Design and Optimization
- Map, analyze, and redesign core business processes across materials management, planning, and purchasing functions.
- Standardize global processes, ensuring alignment with best practices and business objectives.
- Lead process improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and value stream mapping methodologies.
- Develop and maintain process documentation, SOPs, and governance frameworks.
- Materials Management and Planning
- Define and optimize materials planning logic (MRP, reorder strategies, lead-time settings, safety stock parameters).
- Improve master data accuracy and standardization across sites.
- Enhance demand/supply balancing and rescheduling processes to reduce shortages and excess inventory.
- Drive adoption of advanced planning tools and analytics.
- Production Scheduling Excellence
- Establish standardized scheduling principles and performance metrics (e.g., adherence, frozen zones, constraint management).
- Partner with plant schedulers to improve visibility and synchronization between order entry, engineering release, and production execution.
- Support implementation of digital scheduling or finite capacity planning solutions.
- Purchasing and Supplier Collaboration
- Streamline sourcing and purchase order processes to improve responsiveness and compliance.
- Define and roll out supplier performance metrics and feedback mechanisms.
- Lead initiatives to integrate suppliers into planning visibility (e.g., portal, EDI, or planning collaboration tools).
- Support global procurement strategy execution and purchasing process automation.
- Performance Measurement and Reporting
- Develop KPIs to measure process efficiency, material availability, and schedule adherence.
- Lead regular process reviews and continuous improvement cycles.
- Implement root cause analysis frameworks for chronic planning or purchasing issues.
- Systems, Tools, and Data Enablement
- Collaborate with IT/ERP teams to improve planning and procurement system functionality (ERP, APS, MRP, supplier portals).
- Champion digital transformation and data-driven decision-making.
- Ensure consistent global use of tools and templates across all sites.
- Change Management and Training
- Drive organizational adoption of new processes and tools through structured change management.
- Develop training materials and conduct workshops for global teams (planners, buyers, schedulers, and materials managers).
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational discipline.
Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations, or related field (Master's preferred).
- Experience:
- 8+ years in supply chain, production planning, or materials management roles.
- Proven experience in ETO/CTO manufacturing environments.
- Experience leading global or multi-site process improvement initiatives.
Skills:
- Strong understanding of ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, Infor, or similar).
- Proficiency with process improvement tools (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen).
- Excellent analytical, facilitation, and project management skills.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management across global teams.
- Familiarity with advanced planning systems and digital transformation initiatives.
Travel
30-50% Within the US and Global