Purchasing Analyst

The Purchasing Analyst is responsible optimizing Sears supply chain by developing inventory strategies that best support customer demand as well as analyzing slow moving inventory to reduce total held inventory. The Purchasing Analyst is responsible for driving material flow improvements and storage optimization through collaboration with the supply base (in conjunction with Supply Chain Management and Material Flow functional areas). The Purchasing Analyst also is responsible optimizing stocking levels by leveraging analytical tools such as ABC analysis. The Purchasing Analyst is also responsible for sourcing materials to fulfill manufacturing demand requirements and eliminate disruptions to manufacturing operations. The Purchasing Analyst effectively manages internal and external supply chain collaboration and drives continuous improvement initiatives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities by management as needed

• Develop inventory strategies that best support customer demand while supporting lean inventory principles
• Work closely with supply base to optimize ordering strategies such as minimum order quantities, economic order quantities and lead times
• Manage raw materials inventory to achieve corporate inventory goals and ensure the right parts are available at the right time as well as understand financial impact to the organization
• Analyze slow moving inventory and create clear plan to mitigate held inventory (drive rework initiatives, transition inventory to sister business units, drive scrap dispositions, etc.)
• Drive material flow improvements and storage optimization through collaboration with internal and external functional areas to realize reduced or improved warehousing footprints and realize manufacturing efficiencies through improved material flow
• Perform detailed inventory analytics using data to optimize inventory levels, tactically execute changes systematically and report financial impacts broadly using weekly reporting
• Effectively manage internal and external supply chain collaboration
• Create continuous improvement initiatives and action items to completion
• Perform part outage root cause analysis, implement and broadly communicate corrective measures taken
• Utilize MRP to procure the right production materials to support customer demand
• Properly escalate for any potential supply chain disruption
• Work closely with OFP, Materials and Operations teams to align mitigation plans (not limited to only supply chain disruptions)
• Manage item master data
• Support new product launches
• Prepare monthly reports as needed
• Develop communication solutions that create value, decrease problems, and preemptively solve consistent issues

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The mental and physical requirements for successful performance of this job are:

• Ability to react to problems quickly and decisively
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Project management skills
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to develop rapport and foster strategic relationships
• Understand inventory control procedures
• Excellent reporting skills and understanding of visual management
• Ability to manage projects and consistently and drive follow up
• Advanced analytical skills
• Skilled in problem-solving
• Proficient in inventory control procedures
• Ability to read engineering prints
• Ability to facilitate negotiation

Education and/or Experience

• 7 + years of supply chain management experience in a manufacturing environment
• Equivalent supply chain focused APICS certification (CPIM or CSCP)

OR

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Engineering, Finance
• 5 + years of supply chain management experience in a manufacturing environment