Operational Supplier Manager; m​/f​/d

Operational Supplier Manager

As an Operational Supplier Manager in an outsourced manufacturing model, you are the control tower for material availability across a network of contract manufacturers, suppliers, and logistics partners. You ensure materials are available in the right quantity, at the right location, at the right time to support production and customer delivery—despite indirect control over execution and frequently changing constraints. This role requires strong cross-functional collaboration internally and disciplined supplier-facing coordination externally.

You will balance service, inventory, cost, and risk, and lead exception management when supply and demand do not match.

• Translate supply plans into material requirements using MRP and planning tools
• Maintain and continuously improve planning parameters
• Manage call-offs, releases, and replenishment signals to suppliers and contract manufacturers within agreed planning horizons
• Validate system outputs and correct exceptions caused by master data issues, forecast anomalies, or BOM/route changes

• Align with contract manufacturers or suppliers on build schedules, material readiness, inbound windows, and inventory positions
• Coordinate with suppliers to confirm capacity, lead times, allocation constraints, and delivery commitments
• Drive adherence to orders/plans and escalate deviations through defined escalation paths
• Support sourcing strategies by providing data on supply reliability, constraints, etc.
• Proactively identify material risks (e.g., shortages, long lead-time exposures, logistics disruption)
• Lead cross-functional recovery actions (substitution, expedite, reschedule, partial shipments)
• Run scenario checks to quantify impact on service levels, production, and inventory
• Maintain a risk dashboard for critical materials and define mitigation plans

• Participate in regular planning cadences
• Provide clear, timely communication to stakeholders on constraints, risks, and mitigation options

• Maintain high-quality master data in collaboration with Master Data/Engineering
• Report and track KPIs and highlight root causes of recurring issues
• Contribute to sustainability objectives by reducing waste, avoiding unnecessary premium freight, and optimizing material usage

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years experience in material planning, supply planning, procurement coordination, or inventory management—ideally within outsourced/external manufacturing environment
• Strong working knowledge of ERP/MRP (SAP, Oracle, or similar) and planning fundamentals
• Demonstrated experience managing suppliers/CMs in a global environment (multi-time-zone, multi-location)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with a structured, data-driven approach
• Familiarity with planning and supply chain concepts: lead times, MOQs, safety stock, forecast consumption, service/inventory trade-offs
• Exposure to NPI/change control processes and lifecycle planning (phase-in/phase-out)

• APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP) or equivalent
• Experience with Power BI (or similar), advanced Excel, and data visualization/reporting

• Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving – Intermediate
• Communication
  - Advanced
• Contract Management
  - Basic
• Cost Control and Analysis
  - Intermediate
• Demand Management
  - Intermediate
• Exception leadership
  - Advanced
• Inventory Management
  - Advanced
• Material Planning
  - Expert
• Procurement
  - Intermediate
• Risk Management
  - Intermediate
• Stakeholder Management
  - Advanced
• Supply and Inventory Management – Advanced