Supply Chain Planner

Socket.dev; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking a Supply Chain Planner in Oak Brook, IL to develop advanced supply planning strategies that optimize inventory, service levels, and cost efficiency across the supply chain.

The role partners with purchasing, demand planning, product management, and operations, mentoring junior planners and driving cross-functional improvements. A data-driven leader with expertise in safety stock and MRP/ERP systems will excel.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years in supply chain, with planning or inventory focus.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field; MBA or CPIM/CSCP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee inventory levels for finished goods balancing forecasts, lead times, storage, and carrying costs.
• Lead pre-build strategies to mitigate capacity constraints or long supplier lead times.
• Lead safety stock analysis using statistical models to reduce stockouts and improve service levels.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate data insights into supply chain improvements.
• Lead excess inventory management to improve turns and reduce days-on-hand.
• Identify and implement process improvements with demand planning, product management, purchasing and operations.
• Oversee at-risk inventory, root cause analysis, and corrective actions with suppliers and operations.
• Maintain master data in planning systems (e.g., Blue Yonder) and ERP for accurate planning.
• Collaborate to determine best planning methodologies (Reorder Point, Min-Max, Make-to-Stock/Order).
• Finalize supply plans and handover to purchasing for execution.
• Drive KPIs like OTIF, inventory days-on-hand, and data accuracy.
• Partner with Customer Service to align orders with fulfillment strategy.
• Develop exception management processes to maintain backlog health.
• Support SIOP process focusing on supply, demand, capacity, and procurement to minimize costs.
• Support NPD/NPI by guiding inventory and network strategies.

Skills

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Excel

Power BI

Data-driven

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations

MBA or relevant certifications preferred

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Blue Yonder

Job description

Supply Chain Planner

Department: Supply Chain

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Oak Brook, IL

Compensation: $80,000 - $100,000 / year

Description

The Supply Chain Planner is a key role responsible for developing, leading, and executing advanced supply planning strategies to optimize inventory, ensure exceptional customer service levels, and drive significant cost efficiencies across the supply chain. This position provides strategic guidance to cross-functional teams, including purchasing, demand planning, product management, and operations, while mentoring junior planners to align supply plans with organizational goals.

The ideal candidate is a proactive, data-driven leader with exceptional analytical skills, a passion for process innovation, expertise in safety stock analysis and optimization, and a commitment to fostering collaborative, high-performing teams.

How You Will Help

• Develop and oversee optimal inventory levels for finished goods, balancing demand forecasts, lead times, storage constraints, and carrying costs.
• Lead pre-build strategies to mitigate capacity constraints or extended supplier lead times
• Lead safety stock analysis and optimization initiatives, utilizing advanced statistical modeling (e.g., demand variability assessments, and supply risk evaluations) to dynamically adjust levels, minimize stockouts, and achieve targeted inventory turns and service levels.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate data-driven insights, continuously refine models based on real-time variability, and drive enterprise-wide improvements in supply reliability.
• Lead excess inventory management efforts to enhance overall inventory health by improving turns, reducing days-on-hand, and minimizing excess stock.
• Identify and implement opportunities for improvement, partnering with demand planning, product management, purchasing, and operations to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead the at-risk inventory process for assigned product categories, performing root cause analysis and collaborating with suppliers and operations to implement corrective actions.
• Maintain and update master planning data attributes in the planning system (e.g., Blue Yonder) and ERP to ensure accurate and effective supply planning.
• Collaborate with the supply chain team to determine and implement optimal supply planning methodologies (e.g., Reorder Point, Min-Max, Make-to-Stock, Make-to-Order).
• Finalize and approve supply plans based on analysis and cross-functional input, ensuring seamless handover to purchasing teams for execution.
• Drive improvements in key performance indicators (KPIs), including inventory days-on-hand, On-Time In-Full (OTIF), and master data accuracy, aligning with organizational objectives.
• Partner with Customer Service to ensure order entry in line with fulfillment and network strategy.
• Develop and execute exception management processes to maintain a healthy backlog.
• Support the SIOP process – with a focus on SIOP Supply— by working closely with internal stakeholders to align supply plans with demand forecasts, production and distribution capacity, and procurement strategies to minimize costs and maximize service levels.
• Support new product development (NPD) and introduction (NPI) by guiding inventory and network strategies and ensuring accurate MRP item setup.
• Partner with teams to align supply plans with new customer onboarding timelines and support merger and acquisition (M&A) integrations by harmonizing acquired inventory and supply processes with existing operations.

What You Will Bring

• Minimum of 3-5 years of supply chain experience, preferably in manufacturing, distribution, or consumer goods industries, with a focus on supply planning or inventory management.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations, or a related field. Advanced degree (e.g., MBA) or relevant certifications (e.g., APICS CPIM, CSCP) preferred.
• Proficiency in Material Requirements Planning (MRP) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Blue Yonder), with prior experience in Blue Yonder preferred.
• Experience with Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) processes, including SIOP Supply Review focused on production and distribution capacity planning.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and management of large datasets; familiarity with Power BI or other data visualization tools preferred.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical capabilities, with the ability to translate data insights into actionable supply chain strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities and tight deadlines.
• Strong team player with a collaborative mindset and a commitment to fostering cross-functional partnerships.
• Self-motivated with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities and drive results under pressure.

Compensation

The base salary range for this position is $80,000.00 - $100,000.00 USD annually *.

* The salary range for this position reflects a reasonable estimate of the range of compensation for this role. Reliable Safety & Flow Corporation’s philosophy on compensation is based on careful consideration of additional factors such as (but not limited to) an individual’s education, training, work experience, job-related skill set, location, and industry knowledge, as well as the scope and responsibilities of the position and market considerations.