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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Vendor Planner

💰 $ - $

Supply ChainPlanningProcurementLogisticsMerchandising

🎯 Role Definition

At its core, the Vendor Planner is the strategic link between an organization and its suppliers. This role is responsible for ensuring the right amount of product is in the right place at the right time. You are the architect of the supply plan, meticulously managing inventory levels, forecasting future needs, and fostering strong partnerships with vendors. A successful Vendor Planner balances the delicate act of maximizing product availability for customers while optimizing working capital and minimizing supply chain costs. You are a data-driven problem-solver, a skilled negotiator, and a central communication hub for internal teams like merchandising, sales, and logistics.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Planner / Planning Analyst
  • Supply Chain Coordinator
  • Buyer / Assistant Buyer

Advancement To:

  • Senior Vendor Planner / Senior Supply Planner
  • Planning Manager / Supply Chain Manager
  • Category Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Demand Planner
  • Procurement Specialist / Sourcing Manager
  • Logistics Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop and execute comprehensive inventory plans for assigned vendors to achieve sales, margin, and service level targets.
  • Analyze demand trends, seasonality, and promotional activity to generate accurate and timely product forecasts.
  • Create, manage, and meticulously track purchase orders from issuance through to final receipt, ensuring data accuracy in the planning system.
  • Proactively monitor and manage supplier performance, focusing on key metrics like on-time delivery, fill rates, and order accuracy.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned vendors, leading regular communication to discuss forecasts, performance, and resolve operational issues.
  • Collaborate closely with suppliers to expedite critical orders, negotiate improved lead times, and enhance overall supply chain responsiveness.
  • Optimize inventory levels across the supply chain network, balancing the goals of high service levels with efficient working capital management.
  • Identify and communicate potential supply chain risks, such as stockouts or excess inventory, to stakeholders and develop mitigation plans.
  • Partner with internal cross-functional teams, including Merchandising, Sales, Marketing, and Warehouse Operations, to ensure supply plans align with business objectives.
  • Maintain pristine master data within the ERP/planning system, including vendor lead times, safety stock parameters, and minimum order quantities (MOQs).
  • Lead and participate in regular performance review meetings with key suppliers to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
  • Analyze and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as inventory turns, service levels (in-stock), forecast accuracy, and supplier performance.
  • Support new product launches by developing initial buy plans and coordinating with vendors to ensure on-time product availability.
  • Strategically manage the lifecycle of products, including planning for the phase-out of discontinued items to minimize obsolescence and markdowns.
  • Conduct thorough root cause analysis for service failures or inventory discrepancies and implement effective and sustainable corrective actions.
  • Utilize advanced planning systems (ERP/MRP) to execute and manage the end-to-end purchasing and inventory management process.
  • Reconcile purchase order, invoice, and receipt discrepancies to ensure financial accuracy and timely payment to vendors.
  • Prepare and present detailed reports and insightful summaries on inventory status, vendor performance, and supply risks to leadership.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives aimed at refining planning processes, tools, and vendor collaboration strategies.
  • Manage and enforce vendor compliance programs, addressing chargebacks and penalties related to non-conformance with shipping and routing guides.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and perform exploratory analysis to uncover supply chain insights and opportunities.
  • Participate actively in cross-functional Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings to align supply capabilities with demand forecasts.
  • Contribute to departmental projects focused on enhancing planning systems, tools, and operational procedures.
  • Mentor and provide guidance to junior members of the planning team, sharing best practices and knowledge.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • ERP/MRP Systems: Advanced proficiency in enterprise resource planning systems such as SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or Microsoft Dynamics.
  • Advanced Excel: Mastery of Excel, including complex formulas, VLOOKUP/INDEX MATCH, pivot tables, and data modeling.
  • Supply Chain Planning Software: Experience with specialized planning and forecasting tools like JDA/Blue Yonder, Kinaxis, or O9 Solutions.
  • Data Analysis & Reporting: The ability to analyze large datasets, identify trends, and synthesize information into actionable reports and dashboards.
  • Inventory Management Principles: Deep understanding of inventory concepts like safety stock, reorder points, economic order quantity (EOQ), and ABC analysis.
  • Forecasting Methodologies: Knowledge of various statistical forecasting models and their application in a business context.
  • Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Familiarity with BI tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or Qlik for data visualization is a strong plus.

Soft Skills

  • Analytical & Problem-Solving: A strong aptitude for dissecting complex problems, evaluating options, and implementing effective solutions.
  • Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
  • Negotiation & Influence: Proven ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers and influence internal stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes.
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: A collaborative mindset with a track record of building strong relationships with both internal teams and external partners.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and highly organized, ensuring accuracy in purchase orders, data entry, and reporting.
  • Time Management & Prioritization: The ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment without sacrificing quality.
  • Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions, business priorities, and supply chain disruptions.
  • Strategic Thinking: The capacity to think beyond day-to-day execution and contribute to long-term supply chain strategy.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree (MBA, MS in Supply Chain) or professional certification (e.g., APICS, CSCP, CPIM).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Business Administration
  • Logistics & Operations Management
  • Economics or Finance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-7 years of direct experience in a planning, buying, or inventory management role.

Preferred:

  • Experience in a high-volume industry such as retail, CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods), e-commerce, or manufacturing.
  • Demonstrated experience managing a large number of SKUs and a complex vendor base.
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