Supply Chain Manager in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin at VES-Artex

The Supply Chain Manager is responsible for leading and optimizing supply chain activities across multiple business units, locations, and sales channels. This role oversees purchasing, inventory planning, supplier management, logistics, and material availability to ensure the organization has the right products and materials available at the right time and cost.

The Supply Chain Manager will work cross-functionally with Operations, Sales, Product, Engineering, Finance, and other key stakeholders to improve forecasting, inventory performance, supplier relationships, and overall supply chain efficiency. This position will play an important role in supporting organizational growth and identifying opportunities to leverage purchasing volume, inventory, freight, and supplier relationships across the business.

· Develop and execute supply chain strategies that support business growth, customer demand, inventory objectives, and financial goals across multiple business units and locations.

· Lead purchasing, procurement, inventory planning, supplier management, and logistics activities to ensure reliable and cost-effective product availability.

· Partner with Sales, Operations, Product, Engineering, Finance, and other stakeholders to develop demand forecasts and translate business needs into inventory and purchasing plans.

· Establish and monitor key supply chain metrics, including inventory turns, fill rates, supplier performance, lead times, freight costs, stockouts, excess and obsolete inventory, and forecast accuracy.

· Analyze inventory levels, demand patterns, lead times, and purchasing trends to optimize inventory investment while maintaining appropriate product availability.

· Identify opportunities to leverage purchasing volume and consolidate suppliers, freight, warehousing, and inventory across business units.

· Develop inventory strategies and stocking parameters by product, location, and sales channel.

· Manage supplier relationships and negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, freight arrangements, minimum order quantities, and other commercial terms.

· Monitor supplier performance related to quality, cost, delivery, responsiveness, and capacity; develop corrective action plans when necessary.

· Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers in partnership with Product, Engineering, and Sales.

· Develop sourcing strategies that reduce supply risk, improve competitiveness, and establish appropriate primary and secondary sources.

· Maintain visibility to inventory and material requirements across warehouses, suppliers, manufacturing partners, and other stocking locations.

· Identify and implement process improvements that increase supply chain efficiency, reduce costs, improve inventory accuracy, and enhance customer service.

· Partner with Product and Engineering on new product introductions, engineering changes, product transitions, and discontinuations to ensure appropriate material availability and inventory management.

· Support integration and standardization of supply chain processes, systems, suppliers, and reporting across the organization.

· Utilize ERP and other business systems to improve purchasing, forecasting, inventory management, reporting, and supply chain visibility.

· Develop contingency plans and proactively identify risks related to suppliers, transportation, inventory, tariffs, lead times, and product availability.

· Perform other related duties as assigned.

· Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, Logistics, or a related field preferred.

· 5+ years of progressive experience in supply chain, purchasing, procurement, inventory management, or operations.

· Previous experience leading employees or supply chain functions preferred.

· Experience supporting multiple locations, business units, warehouses, or distribution channels strongly preferred.

· Demonstrated experience with supplier negotiation, inventory planning, demand forecasting, and logistics.

· Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable business decisions.

· Experience working within an ERP system; experience with inventory planning and reporting tools preferred.

· Strong understanding of inventory management principles, purchasing practices, supplier performance management, and transportation/logistics.

· Ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in a growing and evolving organization.

· Strong communication, negotiation, problem-solving, and cross-functional leadership skills.