Inventory & Supply Planning Manager

Emerson; Mönchengladbach; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Emerson is seeking an Inventory & Supply Planning Manager in Germany to optimize inventory, manage the purchasing team, and drive data-driven improvements. You will collaborate with S&OP, production planning, and sales to balance demand and supply while reducing excess stock.

The role requires 3+ years leading supply planning teams, strong analytical skills, and fluency in German and English; ERP experience and Power BI proficiency are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Min 3 years experience leading and developing teams within supply planning, material planning, procurement, or a related function in a manufacturing environment.
• A degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Experience with ERP and planning systems; proficiency in Power BI.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills; ability to build relationships.
• Professional proficiency in German and English.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and active management of net inventory in line with inventory targets and business objectives.
• Monitor inventory performance daily and conduct analyses to identify optimization opportunities.
• Manage material flows and priorities to maintain target service levels and customer satisfaction.
• Partner closely with S&OP and production planning teams to balance inventory, demand, and supply requirements.
• Coordinate and resolve supply shortages, delays, and escalation activities with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Develop reporting and performance metrics that support visibility and data-driven decision making.
• Drive actions that improve inventory turns, reduce excess stock, and optimize working capital.

Skills

Team leadership

German language

English language

ERP experience

Data analysis

Supply chain planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management / Logistics / Business Administration / Engineering

Tools

Power BI

SAP

Oracle

Job description

Job Description

As the Inventory & Supply Planning Manager, you will lead the end-to-end management and optimization of inventory performance and working capital. You will oversee the operational purchasing team and leverage procurement and supply planning as key drivers of effective inventory management. Through data-driven planning and cross-functional collaboration, you will create visibility, reduce excess inventory, and ensure high levels of product availability. Working closely with S&OP, Production Planning, Sales, and other stakeholders, you will develop the function into a trusted business partner while driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.

In This Role, Your Responsibilities Will Be

Inventory & Supply Planning

• Lead the planning and active management of net inventory in line with inventory targets and business objectives.
• Monitor inventory performance on a daily basis and conduct regular analyses to identify optimization opportunities.
• Manage material flows and priorities to maintain target service levels and customer satisfaction.
• Partner closely with S&OP and production planning teams to balance inventory, demand, and supply requirements.
• Coordinate and resolve supply shortages, delivery delays, and escalation activities with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Develop reporting and performance metrics that support visibility and data-driven decision making.
• Drive actions that improve inventory turns, reduce excess stock, and optimize working capital.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, coach, and develop the purchasing team to support both individual and organizational success.
• Foster a collaborative environment focused on continuous improvement, learning, and accountability.
• Oversee and prioritize purchasing activities to ensure efficient and effective execution.
• Support performance management, development planning, and capability building across the team.
• Partner with stakeholders across functions to address business challenges and deliver shared objectives.

Process Optimization & Automation

• Identify and implement opportunities to automate procurement and inventory management processes through digital solutions.
• Lead projects focused on improving efficiency, standardization, cost optimization, and operational effectiveness.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously enhance Power BI dashboards and reporting tools.
• Promote data-driven ways of working and support the adoption of best practices across supply chain and procurement processes.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen process reliability and scalability.

Who You Are

You identify and create the processes necessary to get work accomplished. You build partnerships and work collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. You provide timely and helpful information to individuals across the organization. You use data and analysis to make informed decisions and solve complex business challenges while maintaining a focus on achieving results.

For This Role, You Will Need

• Min 3 years experience leading and developing teams within supply planning, material planning, procurement, or a related function in a manufacturing environment.
• A degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field; alternatively, an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Experience working with ERP and planning systems, as well as advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, including Power BI.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and effectively process complex information in a dynamic environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to build effective relationships internally and externally.
• Professional proficiency in both German and English.

Preferred Qualifications That Set You Apart

• Experience in inventory optimization, process improvement, and Lean methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of KPI development, reporting, and performance management.
• Experience leading digital transformation, automation, or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with matrix organizations and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience leveraging analytics and business intelligence tools to improve supply chain performance.
• Knowledge of MRP, SAP, Oracle, or similar planning systems.

Our Culture and Commitment To You

At Emerson, we believe that diverse perspectives and inclusive teams drive innovation and business success. We are committed to creating an environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute. Through mentoring, professional development opportunities, meaningful work, and leadership support, we invest in your growth and success. We foster a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and mutual respect, enabling our people to make a lasting impact on our customers, communities, and business. We welcome individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives and are committed to providing equitable opportunities for all.

About Us

WHY EMERSON

At Emerson, we are motivated by a spirit of collaboration that helps our diverse, multicultural teams across the world drive innovation that makes the world healthier, safer, smarter, and more sustainable. And we want you to join us in our bold aspiration.

Our Commitment to Our People

We have built an engaged community of inquisitive, dedicated people who thrive knowing they are welcomed, trusted, celebrated, and empowered to solve the world’s most complex problems — for our customers, our communities, and the planet. You’ll contribute to this vital work while further developing your skills through our award-winning employee development programs. We are a proud corporate citizen in every city where we operate and are committed to our people, our communities, and the world at large. We take this responsibility seriously and strive to make a positive impact through every endeavor.

At Emerson, you’ll see firsthand that our people are at the center of everything we do. So, let’s go. Let’s think differently. Learn, collaborate, and grow. Seek opportunity. Push boundaries. Be empowered to make things better. Speed up to break through. Let’s go, together.

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About Emerson

Emerson is a global leader in automation technology and software. Through our deep domain expertise and legacy of flawless execution, Emerson helps customers in critical industries like life sciences, energy, power and renewables, chemical and advanced factory automation operate more sustainably while improving productivity, energy security and reliability.

With global operations and a comprehensive portfolio of software and technology, we are helping companies implement digital transformation to measurably improve their operations, conserve valuable resources and enhance their safety.

We offer equitable opportunities, celebrate diversity, and embrace challenges with confidence that, together, we can make an impact across a broad spectrum of countries and industries. Whether you’re an established professional looking for a career change, an undergraduate student exploring possibilities, or a recent graduate with an advanced degree, you’ll find your chance to make a difference with Emerson. Join our team – let’s go!

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