SIOP Planner

Description

The SIOP Planner is responsible for proactive demand forecasting and supply planning across Wheeler Machinery's machine population  including whole machine rebuilds, major component rebuilds, and field parts support. This role directly supports company-wide objectives by 2 unlocking revenue for the go-to-market team through reliable machine availability and on-time, in-full delivery (OTIF); through optimized inventory positioning; and by eliminating reactive expedite and carrying costs. By shifting planning from reactive backorder management to proactive, data-driven forecasting  identifying component-level supply risk in advance of need, aligning inventory with Caterpillar’s Plan for Every Serial Number (PRISM/PLESN) methodology, and protecting machine availability and OTIF performance at strategic accounts  this role becomes the lynchpin between sales’ revenue commitments and supply chain’s cash-flow discipline. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) – Earthmoving Focus 
• Lead and facilitate the SIOP process for the earthmoving verticals (RI and CI), integrating machine demand forecasts, component-level inventory requirements, and operational capacity into a single, executable plan. 
• Develop and maintain proactive demand forecasts for earthmoving machine builds, major component rebuilds, and high-consumption field parts, using PRISM/PLESN (Plan for Every Serial Number) demand signals and historical/BI data. 
• Identify component-level supply constraints and risks at least 90 days in advance of production or service need, reconciling demand plans with supply capabilities to prevent reactive backorders. 

Inventory Management & Supply Chain Optimization

• Develop and execute inventory strategies that balance service levels, working capital, and operational efficiency across the earthmoving machine population (RI and CI). 
• Generate stocking recommendations and inventory positioning guidance, reducing excess and obsolete (D-classification) inventory while protecting availability on strategic accounts. 
• Partner with Caterpillar and internal stakeholders to maintain PLESN compliance targets for earthmoving machine rebuilds. 
• Identify and execute supply chain improvements — prioritizing orders, optimizing lead times, and partnering with suppliers on freight optimization and emergency-fee reduction. 

Backorder Management and Supplier Collaboration

• Proactively identify and resolve potential supply gaps before they surface as customer-facing backorders, particularly on strategic accounts. 
• Monitor machine availability and backorder performance, implementing corrective actions and recovery plans for critical shortages. 
• Maintain regular communication with internal stakeholders, product support, and branch teams on machine availability, component status, and recovery timelines. 

Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration

• Partner with the Sr. Backorder Analyst, Supply Chain Supervisor, and Internal Stakeholders to align planning priorities with go-to-market strategy. 
• Facilitate decision-making regarding inventory investment, machine availability, and customer service objectives, and support strategic business planning with earthmoving supply chain insights for leadership, while managing DSI and inventory turn initiatives. 

Reporting, Analytics & Performance Management

• Develop, analyze, and present KPIs related to earthmoving supply chain and inventory performance, including machine availability, OTIF, PLESN compliance, fill rate, inventory turns, forecast accuracy, and excess/obsolete inventory value. 
• Prepare regular reports and executive summaries highlighting trends, risks, and recommended actions to support strategic decision-making and continuous improvement. 
• Develop and present business cases for inventory investments (new part introductions, safety stock increases, major component/rebuild positioning), quantifying OTIF impact, working capital requirements, and return on investment; escalate recommendations to the Supply Chain Supervisor and Supply Chain Manager for approval based on established dollar thresholds. 
• *Perform other duties and special projects as assigned. 

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Logistics, or a related field preferred; equivalent combinations of experience will be considered. 

Experience

• 3+ years of experience in demand planning, inventory management, supply chain planning, S&OP/SIOP, or related disciplines preferred. 
• Experience with heavy equipment, mining, or aftermarket parts environments highly desirable; familiarity with Caterpillar’s PRISM/PLESN systems and methodology strongly preferred. 
• Experience with DBS/AS400 type systems as well as CAT SIS 2.0, SIMSI, TMI, MPI and other related Caterpillar systems are desirable. 

Specialized Knowledge

• Understanding of demand forecasting methodologies, inventory optimization techniques, supply planning, and supplier management. 
• Knowledge of Caterpillar Earthmoving Products and basics of functions of mechanical components. 
• Familiarity with lean methodology and continuous improvement principles (root cause analysis, waste elimination, process optimization); demonstrated commitment to CI mindset. 

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to interpret data and translate findings into actionable recommendations. 
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, forecasting models), with experience in ERP systems, business intelligence tools, and inventory planning software. 
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills. 
• Self-directed, results-oriented professional with a proactive mindset and strong commitment to continuous improvement. 

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c).