Description
Job Summary The Supply Chain Planner is responsible for planning, coordinating, and maintaining daily supply chain operations across one or more functional areas, including materials planning, production planning, inventory management, logistics, demand management, customer service, and order fulfillment. The role ensures efficient planning processes, maintains planning system accuracy, monitors supply chain performance, mitigates operational risks, and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high levels of customer satisfaction while supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Supply Chain Planning & Execution
- Execute daily operational planning activities across assigned supply chain functions, including materials, production, inventory, logistics, demand management, or order fulfillment.
- Develop and maintain planning strategies that improve planning signals and optimize supply chain performance.
- Monitor, maintain, and adjust planning system parameters to ensure accurate and productive planning.
- Utilize planning systems, standardized processes, and business tools to support effective supply chain operations.
Performance Monitoring & Analysis
- Analyze Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and operational metrics to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
- Develop action plans to improve supply chain performance, inventory optimization, service levels, and operational efficiency.
- Monitor planning accuracy and recommend corrective actions where required.
Risk Management
- Identify potential supply chain disruptions, material shortages, capacity constraints, and operational risks during the planning process.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to proactively mitigate risks and minimize business impact.
- Support contingency planning and timely issue resolution to maintain uninterrupted operations.
Stakeholder Collaboration
- Partner with cross-functional teams including Manufacturing, Procurement, Logistics, Customer Service, Sales, Engineering, and Suppliers to ensure alignment of supply chain activities.
- Communicate planning priorities, constraints, and supply risks to relevant stakeholders.
- Support internal and external customers by ensuring planning activities meet business and customer requirements.
Continuous Improvement
- Participate in process improvement initiatives to enhance planning efficiency, system utilization, and operational performance.
- Support implementation of best practices, standard operating procedures, and planning process improvements.
- Contribute to projects that improve supply chain visibility, responsiveness, and overall operational excellence.
Responsibilities
Competencies
Functional Competencies
- Supply Chain Planning
- Materials Planning
- Production Planning
- Inventory Management
- Demand Planning
- Logistics and Order Fulfillment
- Planning Systems and ERP Utilization
- KPI Analysis and Performance Monitoring
- Supply Chain Risk Management
- Data Analysis and Reporting
- Process Improvement
- Customer Service Orientation
Behavioral Competencies
- Action Oriented
- Communicates Effectively
- Customer Focus
- Collaborates
- Decision Quality
- Drives Results
- Plans and Aligns
- Problem Solving
- Attention to Detail
- Manages Complexity
- Values Differences
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Logistics, or a related discipline is preferred.
- Equivalent education and relevant industry experience may also be considered.
Certifications
- Professional certifications in Supply Chain Management, APICS, CSCP, CPIM, or related disciplines are advantageous.
- May require licensing for compliance with export control or sanctions regulations where applicable.
Skills & Experience Needed
Technical Skills
- Knowledge of supply chain planning, inventory management, production planning, logistics, and demand planning processes.
- Experience using ERP systems, MRP systems, and supply chain planning tools.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret KPIs, operational metrics, and planning data.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
- Understanding of planning parameters, forecasting techniques, and inventory optimization principles.
- Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and process optimization.
Professional Experience
- Relevant experience in supply chain planning, materials planning, production planning, logistics, inventory management, or related operations.
- Experience supporting daily planning activities within a manufacturing or industrial environment is preferred.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams and external suppliers to support operational planning.
- Exposure to ERP systems and planning software is highly desirable.
Key Skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced operational environment.
- High attention to detail and data accuracy.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across cross-functional teams.
- Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
Qualifications
Additional Key Responsibilities
Procurement Operations & Supply Chain Planning
- Lead and coordinate indirect procurement activities to ensure operational excellence and uninterrupted supply of materials and services.
- Ensure Right First Time (RFT) execution and On-Time Delivery (OTD) of procured materials while supporting business and operational requirements.
- Collaborate closely with Supply Chain Management (SCM), internal stakeholders, and suppliers to align procurement activities with business priorities.
- Proactively identify supply risks, constraints, and potential disruptions,
implementing mitigation plans to minimize operational impact.
- Monitor procurement and supply chain performance through defined KPIs and drive corrective actions to improve overall performance.
- Prepare and present procurement dashboards, reports, and performance metrics to support business reviews and decision-making.
- Resolve supplier-related issues, escalations, and commercial concerns in a timely and effective manner.
- Manage indirect procurement activities, including category-specific procurement requirements where applicable.
- Conduct procurement awareness sessions and engage business units to strengthen procurement processes and stakeholder collaboration.
- Coordinate timely closure of procurement-related actions, including GR waivers, NPDNs, and other operational deliverables.
Continuous Improvement
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, JDI, VST, and other operational excellence methodologies.
- Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, supply chain efficiency, and overall operational performance.
- Drive procurement transformation initiatives focused on process optimization, system enhancements, and stakeholder experience.
- Support and lead SCM digitalization and automation initiatives to improve productivity, compliance, visibility, and reporting capabilities.
Compliance & Governance
- Ensure compliance with organizational procurement policies, procedures, governance standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Support compliance reviews, performance assessments, audits, and corrective action plans.
- Ensure adherence to Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) policies across procurement activities.
- Promote ethical sourcing practices, accountability, and compliance within procurement operations.
- Support audit readiness and ensure timely resolution of compliance-related observations.
Additional Competencies to Add
Add these under the Functional Competencies section:
- Indirect Procurement Management
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Procurement Governance & Compliance
- Supplier Risk Management
- Procurement Performance Management
- Lean / Six Sigma Continuous Improvement
- Supply Chain Process Optimization
- Stakeholder Management
- Digital Transformation & Automation
Additional Skills & Experience to Add
Under Technical Skills
- Experience managing indirect procurement operations and supplier performance.
- Knowledge of procurement governance, purchasing processes, and supplier management.
- Experience preparing procurement dashboards, KPIs, and business performance reports.
- Knowledge of ERP systems, procurement systems, and supply chain automation initiatives.
- Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
Under Professional Experience
- Experience leading procurement or supply chain teams is preferred.
- Experience managing supplier relationships, procurement compliance, and operational performance.
- Experience driving procurement transformation and digital initiatives is advantageous.
- Experience coordinating cross-functional stakeholders across Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, and Business Units.
📌 Supply Chain Planner (Pune)
🏢 Cummins
📍 Pune