Assistant Manager Sales Administration & Supply Chain Operations

Kubota Engine America; Lincolnshire (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Kubota Engine America is seeking an Assistant Manager for Sales Administration and Supply Chain Operations in Lincolnshire, IL. You will lead order management and the inbound international supply chain, working with teams in Japan and Thailand to improve data accuracy and drive system automation.

You will supervise Sales Assistants, manage data, and own KPI reporting; drive digital transformation to reduce manual work using SAP, ARIBA, EDI/IDoc, and BI tools. Travel as required is expected.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in international supply chain, order management or sales operations; supervisory experience preferred.
• Hands-on SAP experience; RapidResponse/Kinaxis or similar APS/IBP desirable.
• Knowledge of EDI/IDoc, supplier/customer portals, ASNs and Ariba.
• Advanced analytics and reporting skills: Power BI or Tableau (dashboard design, data modeling, visualization best practices).
• Strong SQL skills and familiarity with DAX/Power Query, ETL concepts and data governance.
• Experience automating reports and creating self-service dashboards for stakeholders.
• Proven track record driving process standardization and digital transformation projects.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to handle complex product/model variations, routing and pricing schemes.
• Detail-oriented, reliable, and able to prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
• Japanese language ability or experience with Japanese companies is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day customer order management and inbound international supply chain (origins: Japan, Thailand).
• Supervise Sales Assistants and ensure data accuracy and KPI reporting.
• Drive automation to reduce spreadsheet/email work and increase system integration (SAP, RapidResponse, EDI/IDoc, Ariba).
• Coordinate inbound logistics, routes, carriers, ASNs and customs for international shipments.
• Build and maintain operational reports and dashboards; automate recurring reports and KPI tracking.
• Produce and analyze KPIs (OTIF, inventory levels, gross margin variances) and drive corrective actions.
• Administer supplier/customer portals and Ariba activities for whole goods.
• Lead cross-functional projects to standardize processes and implement automation/ integrations.
• Serve as escalation for complex customer issues, pricing rules and product variations.
• Coordinate quality defects, returns and rework with cross-functional teams.

Skills

International supply chain

Order management

Supervisory experience

Digital transformation

Analytics & reporting

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Communication

Pricing & routing

Japanese language ability

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

SAP

RapidResponse

Kinaxis

EDI/IDoc

Ariba

Power BI

Tableau

SQL

Job description

This job was posted by https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov : For more Information, Please See https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov/jobs/13612636 Kubota Engine America JOB TITLE: Assistant Manager, Sales Administration & Supply Chain Operations DEPARTMENT: Operations REPORTS TO: Manager, Sales & Operations FLSA STATUS: Exempt

Job Description Summary

Lead day-to-day customer order management and the inbound international supply chain (primary origins: Japan, Thailand). Supervise Sales Assistants, own data accuracy and KPI reporting, resolve exceptions, and drive digital transformation to reduce spreadsheet/email work and increase system automation and integration (SAP, RapidResponse/Kinaxis, EDI/IDoc, Ariba).

Key responsibilities

• Supervise and coach Sales Assistants: workload balancing, training, performance management, and staffing input.
• Manage the customer order lifecycle: receipt (email, portals, EDI/IDoc), order entry, PO validation, changes, cancellations, returns and claims.
• Coordinate inbound logistics, routing, carriers, ASNs and customs for international shipments; resolve transit/quality issues.
• Maintain and reconcile data in SAP and RapidResponse; ensure data integrity across integrations and portals.
• Build, maintain and distribute operational reports and dashboards (Power BI, Tableau or equivalent); automate recurring reports and KPI tracking.
• Produce and analyze KPIs (OTIF, inventory levels/PSI, order exceptions, gross margin variances); recommend and drive corrective actions.
• Administer supplier/customer portals and Ariba activities for whole goods where assigned.
• Lead or support cross-functional projects to standardize processes and implement automation/integrations (with IT, suppliers, carriers, and 3rd-party vendors).
• Serve as escalation for complex customer account issues, model/product variations, pricing rules, and special requirements.
• Coordinate quality defect, returns and rework projects including cross-functional communication and logistics.
• Ensure confidentiality, policy compliance and safe work practices.
• Travel as required.

What success looks like

Higher percentage of POs/ASNs handled electronically; fewer manual spreadsheets/emails. Accurate, timely dashboards and reports driving decisions. Fewer order exceptions and late shipments; standardized documented processes and a clear roadmap for further automation. This role partners closely with IT, Procurement, Logistics and Sales. The ideal candidate is tech-savvy, pragmatic, and able to translate future-state systems into an actionable implementation roadmap.

Required Skills & Experience

• 5+ years in international supply chain, order management or sales operations; supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong hands-on experience with SAP; RapidResponse/Kinaxis or similar APS/IBP is highly desirable.
• Practical knowledge of EDI/IDoc, supplier/customer portals, ASNs and Ariba.
• Advanced analytics and reporting skills: Power BI or Tableau (dashboard design, data modeling, visualization best practices).
• Strong SQL skills and familiarity with DAX/Power Query, ETL concepts and data governance.
• Experience automating reports and creating self-service dashboards for stakeholders.
• Proven track record driving process standardization and digital transformation projects.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to handle complex product/model variations, routing and pricing schemes.
• Detail-oriented, reliable, and able to prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
• Japanese language ability or prior experience working with Japanese companies is a plus.

Authority

Day-to-day supervision of Sales Assistants; manages work assignments, training and performance input to Manager.

Education and Training

Associate degree required; Bachelors degree preferred (Supply Chain, Busin ss, IT, Data Analytics or related field).

Physical Demands

• Sitting for long periods of time with some walking, stooping, bending, and reaching
• Dexterity to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists
• Movement by holding, turning, and grasping of objects
• Ability to drive a car and travel by air
• Ability to hear normal conversations on phone or in person
• Ability to see more than 20 feet
• Ability to see color and see/read computer screen

Work Environment

• Work is performed in an office environment. Noise level is moderate
• Limited exposure to the warehouse. Limited exposure to temperature variations when shipping doors are open
• While traveling, will experience noise and comfort levels common to automobiles and airplanes

Tools and Equipment

Computer and other general office equipment

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is