Operational Supplier Manager​ (m/f/d)

As a Supply Specialist in an “outsourced manufacturing” model, you are the “control tower” for material availability across a network of contract manufacturers (CMs), 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 (Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Inventory Planning, S&OP and S&OE leads, Operational Buying, Quality, Logistics) and disciplined supplier-facing coordination externally (CMs, tier suppliers, freight providers). You will balance service, inventory, cost, and risk, and lead exception management when supply and demand do not match.
Material Planning & MRP Execution

• Translate supply plans into material requirements using MRP (e.g. Oracle) and planning tools
• Maintain and continuously improve planning parameters (e.g. lead times, safety stock, MOQ, lot sizes, reorder points)
• 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
  

Supplier & Contract Manufacturer Coordination (External Execution)

• Align with contract manufacturers or suppliers on build schedules, material readiness, inbound windows, and inventory positions (supplier/CM-managed)
• 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 (“what-if”) to quantify impact on service levels, production, and inventory
• Maintain a risk dashboard for critical materials and define mitigation plans
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Planning Governance

• Participate in regular planning cadences (e.g., Supply review, shortage meetings, S&OE coordination)
• Provide clear, timely communication to stakeholders on constraints, risks, and mitigation options
  

Data Quality, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain high-quality master data (e.g. material master, lead times, vendor data, MRP types, safety stock, BOM accuracy) in collaboration with Master Data/Engineering
• Report (Excel/Power BI) 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).
  

Preferred

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

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• 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